Top 10 Facts about the Cologne Cathedral

By dronepicr – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral in Germany is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This gracious landmark has been a tourist hotspot for 8 centuries.

Today, the Cathedral welcomes more than 20,000 people daily who come to see the Shrine of the Three Kings.

There is beautiful art inside that people come to admire. Others come to this church following the footsteps of the earlier pilgrims that worshipped here.

This Roman Catholic Cathedral in Cologne is one of the tallest church buildings in the world, as well as being the world’s tallest twin-spired church.

It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne, and it has been the most popular tourist attraction in Germany.

The Cathedral is famously known as a testament of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture.

Here are more facts about the Cologne Cathedral that you will find interesting.

1. Construction of the Cathedral started in the 13^th century and was finished in the 19^th century

By Johann Franz Michiels – Wikimedia

The construction work of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but was stopped at around 1560.

Work did not restart until the mid-19^th century which saw the edifice completed according to its original Medieval plan in 1880.

Before the Cathedral was put up, the site had grain storage and later on a Roman temple.

During the 4^th century, the site was occupied by Christian buildings including an edifice known as the oldest cathedral.

That cathedral had been commissioned by Maternus who was the first bishop of Cologne.

During excavations for the foundation of the present cathedral, graves were discovered in the location.

One belonged to a boy and another was a woman known as wisigard.

2. Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden laid the foundation

The foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid on 15 August 1248, by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden.

This was followed by the completion of the eastern arm that was consecrated in 1322.

A temporary wall was built to seal the rest of the Cathedral off as construction work continued while the eastern side was used.

In the mid-14^th century work on the west, front commenced under Master Michael.

It was however halted in 1473, this left the south tower complete to the belfry level.

There was a huge crane that remained in place as a landmark of the Cologne skyline for about 4 centuries.

Some work proceeded sporadically on the structure of the nave between the west front and the eastern arm but was also stopped in the 16^th century.

3. There is a shrine for the three wise men

By Arminia – Wikimedia

One of the most cherished treasures of the Cologne Cathedral is the relics of the Three Wise Men.

The shrine holds the bones of the three wise men from the bible. They were brought by pilgrims to Cologne in the middle ages.

In 1164, the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel, acquired the relics of the Three Kings. Part of the relics was returned to Milan, Italy.

These relics have great religious significance and have drawn pilgrims from all over Christendom.

It is for this reason that Cologne Cathedral exists today.

Every January 6^th members of the public are allowed to process alongside the bone box to pay their respects.

4. The Cologne Cathedral is in the World Heritage danger list

In 1996, the Cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites.

Later in 2004, it was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list.

This was because it was the only Western site in danger that was going to be blocked by new high-rise buildings.

The authorities decided to limit the heights of buildings constructed near and around the cathedral in 2006.

That same year, the cathedral was removed from the danger list.

5. This cathedral has a typical Gothic architecture

By Suicasmo – Wikimedia

The design of Cologne Cathedral is based quite closely on that of Amiens Cathedral.

Their ground plans, style and the width to height proportion of the central nave are similar.

The plan of this cathedral, from an aerial view, is in the shape of a Latin Cross, this is usual with Gothic cathedrals.

There are two aisles on either side that support one of the highest Gothic vaults in the world.

Its medieval choir is varied and less mechanical in its details than the 19th-century building.

It depicts a French style arrangement of a very tall arcade, with detailed tracery merging with that of the windows above.

6. It is the second tallest church in Germany

By Martin Falbisoner – Wikimedia

Cologne’s cathedral not only has impressive architecture, but it is also one of the city’s main attractions.

This cathedral is the second tallest church in Germany and the third highest in the world.

The tallest is the telecommunications tower.

Another impressive feature about this cathedral is that it has the world’s third-largest church interior.

7. The Cathedral can hold more than 20,000 people

This Cathedral is massive and occupies about 8,000 square meters of floor space and can hold more than 20,000 people.

This makes Cologne Cathedral interior the world’s third-largest church.

The choir of the cathedral is the largest in Germany. Its most special features are two seats reserved for pope and king.

8. The Cologne Cathedral has 11 bells, one weighs 24 tonnes

By User:Mkill – Wikimedia

There are 11 church bells on the upper section of the cathedral. 8 of the bells are in cages in the south spire while 3 are in ridge turret.

The first bell that was installed was the bell of the three Kings that weigh 3.4 tons.

St. Peter’s Bell is the largest in the Cathedral and was installed in 1922. It weighs 24 tons and is 3.2 meters wide.

 This bell was shipped to Cologne in 1875.

9. The Madonna of Milan is in this cathedral

One thing that has remained constant in this Cathedral is its workshop that has been around for about 800 years.

Elegant woodwork has been produced from this workshop like the sculpture of Mary and the Christ Child famously known as the Madonna of Milan.

The statue is associated with miracles and pilgrims from all over the world travel to see it.

10. Its medieval choir is the largest of its kind

By Roland Unger – Wikimedia

The mediaeval choir has 104 seats and is surrounded by art from the 13^th and 14^th century.

There are carved oak stalls, frescoed walls, painted statues and stained glass.