Wherever you are in Cologne, you can’t miss the towering Gothic spire of the cathedral. This awe-inspiring construction stands as a testament to the religious dedication of the city-dwellers over the centuries. Come to admire the design and architecture, and even scale the tower if you’re feeling brave.
Christians have met in this part of Cologne since Roman times, and there has been a church of various denominations here for almost two millennia. Construction on the cathedral began in 1248, and continued for over 600 years, with the final stone being laid in 1880. Despite this extended period of building, the workers remained true to the original plans, making this Gothic cathedral almost unique in the world.
Cologne Cathedral is dedicated to the magi (or three wise men) – their skulls were brought to the city at the end of the 12th century, and today, these relics are housed in an ornate sarcophagus in the High Altar. The rest of the interior is well worth stopping to admire too – from the high vaulted ceiling, to the ornate stained-glass windows that flood the building with light and colour. These windows tell a story of the continued life of the cathedral too. Although most of them are hundreds of years old, a new addition was made in 2007 by German artist Gerhard Richter.
The cathedral’s tower is an iconic symbol of the Cologne skyline, and if you make the climb up to the top you’ll get stunning views across the city and along the river from a vantage point 100 metres up. This tower is allegedly one of the reasons why Cologne Cathedral was not destroyed by Allied bombing during the Second World War, as the pilots used it to navigate by on their night raids.
Entrance to the main body of the cathedral is free, although charges apply if you want to climb the tower or view the displays in the Treasury Chamber. The cathedral is open daily – there are often concerts in the evenings, so separate charges apply. Cologne Cathedral is located centrally and is impossible to miss! The nearest U-Bahn station is Dom/Hauptbahnhof, or paid parking is available nearby.
