Statue of St. Christophorus in Cologne Cathedral, Medieval sculpture in Cologne Cathedral, Germany

The Statue of St. Christophorus in Cologne Cathedral is a 3.73-metre tuff-stone sculpture made around 1470, attributed to the workshop of Master Tilman. It stands on a console supported by two angels holding coats of arms, at the transition from the south transept into the ambulatory. Christopher wades through stylized waves with his legs bare to the knees, leaning on a man-sized staff, the Christ child on his shoulder holding an orb.

The statue was made around 1470 in the workshop of Master Tilman, who produced other sculptures in and around Cologne. Older sources record that it was once painted, with a "gold-flowered robe", and later repainted several times. In the 19th century it was stripped and given a thin coloured finish. It stood at the start of the pilgrims' route through the unfinished cathedral, from the south portal to the Shrine of the Three Kings.

The statue shows St. Christophorus carrying the Christ child across a river, a scene that connected with travelers who came seeking protection for their journeys.

You will find the statue along the cathedral's main pathway where it is easy to locate and view. Local guides offer explanations about the religious and artistic details if you want to learn more during your visit.

The statue was once painted in colour, with old sources describing a "gold-flowered robe"; it was later repainted several times, then stripped in the 19th century and given a thin coloured finish. Heinrich Heine mentions the figure in his poem "Die alten, bösen Lieder", published in 1827 in the Buch der Lieder.