Cologne Cathedral - Cologne, Germany (2024)

FAQs

Why is Cologne Cathedral so famous? ›

As a World Heritage Site and host to the Shrine of the Three Kings, Cologne Cathedral is a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims, and is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites of Northern Europe.

Cologne Cathedral, Roman Catholic cathedral church, located in the city of Cologne, Germany. It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and features immense twin towers that stand 515 feet (157 metres) tall. The cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

If you see nothing else when in Cologne, you MUST see this Cathedral! Next door to the main train station the Cathedral's location means it cannot be ignored! One of those "must see" places that you really "MUST see".

These burials include: Clemens August of Bavaria, Ebergar the Archbishop of Cologne, Englebert II of Berg, Englebert III of the Marck, Ernest of Bavaria, Ferdinand of Bavaria, Anton Hubert Fischer, Josef Frings, Johannes von Geissel, Gero the Archbishop of Cologne, Maximilian Henry of Bavaria, and Walram of Julich.

Over the centuries, impurities have accumulated on the stone walls of Cologne Cathedral, which is why parts of the church facade were professionally cleaned. Over the centuries, coal heating systems, factory chimneys and steam locomotives led to the black discoloration of the outer stone walls.

In the 16th century, however, work on the cathedral was interrupted due to the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War and was not resumed until the 19th century, when Prussia annexed the Rhineland and the city of Cologne became part of the Prussian state. The break in construction lasted more than 300 years.

Guided tours

No more than 20 people are allowed on each guided tour of Cologne Cathedral and the Cathedral Treasury. No more than 12 people are allowed on each guided tour of the roof and excavation area. For these tours, visitors must be at least 16 years of age.

The Shrine of the Three Kings (German Dreikönigsschrein or Der Dreikönigenschrein), Tomb of the Three Kings, or Tomb of the Three Magi is a reliquary traditionally believed to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men.

You don't need to cover your head. I would suggest women cover their shoulders & don't wear anything too short or skimpy. This is a cathedral which has mass so be respectful. For men: Take off your hat!

First off, Cologne is uniquely designed and walkable, so you can explore the city at your own pace either on foot or by bike. Cologne also has an extensive public transport network, making public transportation easy and affordable.

Is Cologne Cathedral protestant or Catholic? ›

Cologne Cathedral (German: Hohe Domkirche St. Petrus or commonly Kölner Dom) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany.

The cathedral as seen today was built in stages. Construction first began in 1248 but was not completed until 1880. Upon its completion, it was commonly believed to be the world's tallest structure measuring a staggering 157 meters tall.

One hundred years ago today, on Feb. 6, 1924, President Woodrow Wilson was buried at the Cathedral – the first and so far only U.S. president to be buried in Washington, D.C. There's a lot to say about Wilson, the nation's 28th president (1913-1921).

Dedicated to the Saint Peter and Saint Mary, the Kölner Dom is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. It is home to the tombs of 12 archbishops, interred between 976 and 1612 AD, in the cathedral, proper, and more recent archbishops are interred in the basilica's subterranean vaults.

The cathedral dates back to 1248, and is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, making it an integral part of Germany's history and the history of Christianity itself. The cathedral houses the reliquary of the Three Kings, an enduring symbol of strength in the Christian religion.

Legend has it that the architect Gerhard of Ryle made a pact with the devil to build the Kolner Dom (Cologne Cathedral). The architect was asked to build an unprecedented cathedral and he made all sorts of sketches and began to build the cathedral. But all sorts of obstacles prevented him from raising it.

Cologne is famous for Eau de Cologne, which has been produced in the city since 1709; "cologne" has since come to be a generic term. Cologne was founded and established in Germanic Ubii territory in the 1st century CE as the Roman Colonia Agrippina, hence its name.

The cathedral in Cologne, Germany, serves as a monumental symbol of unity because of the thousands of people who have helped with its design, planning, and construction.