In Germany, there is a church called the Cologne Cathedral, which took more than 600 years to build. Let’s explore its history and the reasons it was constructed. The floor plan of the Cologne Cathedral was designed by Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel. It was built to house the remains of the Three Kings, who died, and the Archbishop of Cologne. The construction took over 600 years because it was interrupted by the Reformation and various wars. Throughout these centuries, skilled builders, all sharing the same faith and vision, worked on the Gothic design. Despite careful measurements over the years to ensure accuracy, the final structure still turned out uneven in places.
In 1164, Reinald von Dassel brought the supposed bones of the Three Wise Men from Milan to Cologne, and the shrine of the Three Kings, associated with this famous biblical story, is housed within the cathedral.
The Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Cologne, Germany. Before it was built, an older church was destroyed by fire in 1248. Construction of the current cathedral began afterward, following a Gothic design. King Frederick William IV of Prussia funded the building, with additional donations contributing to its costs. The cathedral became known as the tallest structure in the world, standing at 516 feet tall. It was completed with a grand celebration on October 15. If the cathedral were to be rebuilt today, it would cost approximately 10 billion euros or around $10.94 billion.
The cathedral features approximately 11,263 square feet of stained glass and has 533 steps. It also houses the tombs of 12 archbishops and the largest swinging bell in the world.
Originally, the cathedral was not as dark as it appears today. However, over the years, pollution from coal heating systems, factory chimneys, and steam locomotives caused the outer walls to turn black from discoloration. In 1944, during World War II, the cathedral was damaged by Allied air raids and bomb hits but managed to survive, retaining its structure.
The Cologne Cathedral is famous for its stunning Gothic architecture, intricate details, and impressive size and beauty. It is made of sandstone and serves as the cathedral church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cologne.
If you were to visit Cologne today, a week-long stay would cost around $1,258 for one person. Admission to the cathedral costs €6 for adults, while students, children, and people with special needs pay €3. However, entry to the cathedral itself is free.
Inside, you would see the massive gold shrine of the Three Kings, believed to contain the relics of the Magi who visited the infant Jesus. The cathedral’s floor plan is shaped like a Latin cross. The cathedral’s official German name is “Kölner Dom.”
The current archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Rainer Woelki, has been serving since 2014 when he transferred from Berlin, where he was also the Cardinal Archbishop.
The Cologne Cathedral remains one of the most mesmerizing buildings in the world, and it should be on your list of places to visit.