Shrine of the Three Kings, Medieval reliquary in Cologne Cathedral, Germany
The Shrine of the Three Kings is a gilded metal reliquary in Cologne Cathedral decorated with fine metalwork sculptures and over 1,000 precious stones and pearls embedded in its surface. It stands elevated above the main altar and commands the view into the church's interior.
The reliquary arrived in Cologne in 1164 when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa presented the relics to Archbishop Rainald of Dassel after taking them from Milan. The artwork itself was created later, between 1180 and 1225, by the master craftsman Nicholas of Verdun.
The shrine displays figures from biblical scenes, prophets, and apostles that reflect medieval craftsmanship and religious storytelling. Visitors can study these detailed representations and see how sacred narratives were expressed through precious metalwork.
The reliquary is positioned above the high altar of the cathedral and can be viewed clearly from the nave when visiting the church. The best vantage point is from the center aisle, where you can see all the details.
When the reliquary was examined in 1864, experts found ancient silk wrappings from Palmyra surrounding the bones, along with coins from Archbishop Philip's era. These findings provided physical proof that the relics dated back centuries.
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