Cologne Cathedral, Catholic Cathedral in Cologne, Germany
Description
Cologne Cathedral rises 157 meters above the Rhine riverbank with two identical towers and is built from pale stone with flying buttresses and arches. The interior contains five naves, a high vault, stained glass windows, and several chapels arranged along the side walls.
History
Construction began in 1248 following plans for a Gothic pilgrimage church and was interrupted for centuries. Completion came only in 1880 when the two towers were finished according to the original designs.
Culture
The cathedral shelters the golden shrine holding relics of the Three Magi, which pilgrims from many countries come to see. On feast days, processions move through the interior while worshippers light candles and pray before the relics.
Practical
Visitors can climb 533 steps inside the south tower to reach the viewing platform at 100 meters, which requires stamina and time. The main entrance sits directly next to the train station plaza, and the interior is best seen during daylight hours.
Did you know?
The building survived World War II despite 14 direct bomb hits, while the surrounding city center was destroyed. The two towers are said to have served pilots as a landmark on the Rhine, which may be why it remained standing.
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Petersglocke
86 m
Shrine of the Three Kings
48 m
Cathedral Window
45 m
Romano-Germanic Museum
103 m
Bells of Cologne Cathedral
83 m
Crossing tower of Cologne Cathedral
16 m
Domschatzkammer Cologne
38 mSurroundings of Cologne Cathedral
115 m
Dionysosmosaik
75 m
Organs of Cologne Cathedral
16 m
Tomb of Konrad von Hochstaden
50 m
Bayernfenster
63 m
Statue of St. Christophorus in Cologne Cathedral
20 m
Jüngeres Bibelfenster
63 m
Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral
97 m
Dionysos-Brunnen
88 m
Petrusbrunnen
61 m
Domfontäne
90 m
Nave organ of the Cologne Cathedral (Klais 1998)
28 m
Transept organ of the Cologne Cathedral (Klais 1948/1956)
4 m
Choir organ of the Cologne Cathedral (Romanus Seifert & Sohn 1963)
18 mWeihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom
94 mRömisches Nordtor
85 mGedenktafel für den XX. Weltjugendtag
59 mTafel zum Andenken an Papst Johannes XXIII.
52 mFreya von Moltke
93 mScenic viewpoint
74 mSchwelle der Erinnerung
80 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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