Last week, I visited the majestic Cologne Cathedral (or: Dom). As I prepped my adventure, I stumbled upon 5 fascinating facts that promise to deepen our understanding of this magnificent cathedral.
In a hurry? Top 5 Highlights Cologne Cathedral
Highlight 1 – Twin-spires
Welcome to Cologne, standing before the tallest twin‑spires on earth. Behind you the station hums; ahead, 157‑metre pinnacles rule the Rhine skyline. Begun 1248, completed 1880, yet faithful to its original High‑Gothic blueprint.
Highlight 2 – West front & main portal
Look up at the forest of pinnacles, flying buttresses and almost 10 000 statues. In the king’s gallery just above the doors, German monarchs flank the Madonna – medieval power politics in stone. The dark tone of the sandstone is not paint but centuries of soot: the patina of an industrial city.
Highlight 3 – Shrine of the Three Kings
Step inside and breathe the cool air. At the high‑choir stands the golden reliquary (c. 1220) said to hold the bones of the Magi. This single object justified the cathedral’s vast scale and made Cologne a top pilgrimage hub.
Highlight 4 – Stained glass & Richter Window
Wander to the south transept. The 2007 Richter Window contains 11 263 squares of hand‑blown glass in 72 colours arranged by an algorithm yet utterly harmonious with the 13‑century glazing beside it – old faith meeting new art.
Highlight 5 – rhine panorama
Before you leave, tackle the 533‑step south tower for a Rhine panorama, then pause at the Marian shrine left of the choir, where candles have burned seven centuries.
#1. The Longest Building Period: Six centuries in the making
The cathedral’s roots trace back to a 4th-century Roman church, replaced in the 6th century, and later by the Old Cathedral in 800 A.D. After enduring lightning and fire, the Gothic masterpiece began construction in August 1248.
However, from 1473, the construction stagnated. The lack of funds wasn’t the main issue, as commonly believed. The predominant factor was the waning interest in Gothic architecture, in favor of the Renaissance style. For years, the cathedral remained unfinished until the citizens of Cologne took the initiative to resume construction in 1842. This resurgence was partly fueled by the Romantic movement, which sparked a renewed interest in Gothic architecture.
King Friedrich Wilhelm IV skillfully capitalized on this. He aimed to use the cathedral as a national monument, a symbol of the grandeur of the Prussian Empire. He contributed half of the required funds, while the citizens of Cologne covered the other half. Perhaps, this was the first crowdfunding project ever :). In 1880, the cathedral was finally finished, 632 year after they started building.
#2. The Heaviest: Towering Bell
Climbing the south tower offers a breathtaking view of Cologne. What many don’t realize is that they pass the world’s largest church bell, St. Peter’s bell, weighing 24 tons. Ringing only during holidays like Christmas and New Year, it’s a unique auditory experience best admired from a distance.
#3. The Busiest: 6 Million Visitors
This fact might stop you from visiting this tourist attraction. With 6 million visitors yearly, Cologne Cathedral stands as a major tourist draw, attracting around 20,000 daily. Expect bustling crowds, and book special tours well in advance. An audio tour (with a ‘live’ tour guide), at 10 euros, guides you through this iconic landmark.
#4. The Tallest: 157 meters!
From 1880 to 1884, the cathedral soared as the world’s tallest structure at 157.3 meters. Only four years later, the Eiffel Tower claimed this distinction. Though no longer holding that record, its towers remain the second-tallest globally, surpassed only by Ulm’s tower at 161.53 meters.
#5. The Darkest (and not because of the dirt)
Contrary to its seemingly dark façade, the cathedral isn’t constructed of black stone. The color results from a chemical reaction between sandstone and acid rain, causing the distinctive dark grey appearance. Restored sections initially appear whiter but darken over time, harmonizing with the original structure.
About the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)
- Building period: 1248-1880
- Lenght: 144.5 m
- Width (transept): 86,5 m
- Height (towers): 157
Begun in 1248, the building of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and was not completed until 1880. Over seven centuries, its successive builders were inspired by the same faith and by a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans. (source: Unesco)
Cathedral architect Gerhard oriented himself on the cathedral of Amiens, which he must have been familiar with. This cathedral had to be the ultimate Gothic masterpiece, the biggest cathedral in the world. This ambition led to stunning measurements. Cologne Cathedral is a five-aisled basilica (144.5 m long), with a projecting transept (86.25 m wide) and a tower façade (157.22 m high). The nave is 43.58 m high and the side-aisles 19.80 m. The western section, nave and transept begun in 1330, changes in style, but this is not perceptible in the overall building. The 19th century work follows the medieval forms and techniques faithfully, as can be seen by comparing it with the original medieval plan on parchment.
After its completion in the 19th century, the Cologne Cathedral was the world’s largest building (until 1884). Today, it’s still considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. In 1996, it earned a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
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LUX Travel Tips
- Book your guided tour online. Note: the special tours are sold out very quickly, so be on time!
- I stayed in a boutique hotel Maison Marsil. It’s a 15-20 min. walk from the cathedral, and 5 minutes by public transport. Ik make a smal commission (1 euro) if you book with this link, you’ll support me making this website. Thanks a lot!
- For dinner skip the touristic city centre. Instead, head for the ‘Belgisches Viertel‘ neighbourhood.
- Cologne is easily accessible by train (ICE). I travelled from Utrecht to Cologne with the ICE in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Book your ticket here!
