Cologne Cathedral: A Gothic church with a rich German history

Cologne Cathedral, located in Cologne, Germany’s warmest two-thousand-year-old city fording the Rhine, is a symbol of outstanding Gothic architecture suffusing life into a revitalised old town. Walk right across Roncalliplatz, or Trankgasse on the other side, in Köln to see one of the grandest Gothic Churches of its sort. Its twin towers can be seen from afar, and its ancient remnants complement the expansive river views. However, as you approach closer, it becomes more crowded, as Cologne Cathedral is Germany’s most visited landmark.

At 515 ft, Cologne Cathedral is the world’s highest twin-spired church and the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. The church’s two huge spires provide it with the largest possible façade. It also serves as the residence and administrative headquarters of the Archbishop of Cologne and the Archdiocese of Cologne. Cologne Cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 because of its vast Gothic construction.

The interiors of the Cologne cathedral look to be particularly spectacular as you enter. The layout of Cologne Cathedral is similar to that of Amiens Cathedral, and it is in the shape of a Latin Cross, as is typical of Gothic cathedrals. It features two walkways on either side that flank one of the world’s tallest Gothic vaults, with flying buttresses providing the outer thrust. The eastern cloister of the 2nd-aisle settles into a choir with an encircling ambulatory that unrolls onto seven chapels, much like French architecture.

In comparison to 19th-century construction, the inside of the feudal choir is less conventional. An ornate gridiron is incorporated into the clerestory windows of Framework’s towering arcades. Many 19th-century stained glass windows may be found in the church’s centre area. The lowest sections of most of these retain the iconic symbolic glass. The collection of Ludwig I of Bavaria’s five windows facing south, known as the Bayernfenster, vividly depicts the German style of the time. 

Several of the choir’s original fixtures are still present, including carved stalls and a large stone statue of St. Christopher, which watches over the basilica’s original 19th-century entrance. Tall shafts run the length of the complex, continuous from the floor to the fount of the quadripartite vault. The contemporary 19th-century bronze altar created by Elmar Hillebrand is featured in this cross-shaped church that projects right angles from the nave. The choir is visible from the central aisle of Cologne Cathedral.

The 13th-century choir stalls are located behind the altar, but its 104 seats make it one of the most noteworthy surviving old choir stalls in Germany. The Emperor and the Pope have reserved places in these choir stalls, which is a distinguishing feature. The choir’s screen portraits were created around 1340 and depict 21 historical scenes.

Traditional landing sculptures of Mary, Jesus, and the Twelve Apostles adorn the walls above the murals. The high altar is dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle in the middle. The Shrine of the Magi, which symbolises the Trinity, follows the high altar. This impressive display of mediaeval craftsmanship weights 300 kilogrammes and stands at a height of 1.53 metres. Archbishop Phillip ordered its construction to safeguard the relics of the Magi – the Three Wise Men, as they are more commonly referred to. The shrine also contains the remains of revered martyrs, such as Felix.

The construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but was left unfinished about 1560. Work on the structure resumed in the 18th century, and it was eventually completed to its original plan in 1880. Despite the fact that it was left unfinished during the Middle Ages, Cologne Cathedral eventually became a masterwork of exceptional worth and a compelling testament to the depth and persistence of Christian religion in Europe. Explore the Cologne cathedral museum, which houses an incredible collection of ancient artefacts, while you’re here. Exit the church by the same door you entered and turn left after touring the chapel from inside.

This church is the tallest twin-spired church in Germany. Cologne Cathedral is pitched on an 818 BC site, once occupied by the Roman temple Mercurius Augustus. Before the Cologne Cathedral, the site had been colonised by several other structures. The spiral staircase has 533 stone steps, leading you to the top of a 330-foot cliff overlooking the Rhine. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, the Cologne Cathedral charges €4 to enter. At 3 p.m. on Thursdays, there are free public tours available. The Picasso masterpieces and Roman artefacts on display at the Ludwig Museum are just a short walk away.

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