Cologne Cathedral

1248 CE - 1880 CE

1248-1880 CE

Cathedral

The Shrine of the Three Kings

The cathedral was specifically designed to house the Shrine of the Three Kings, which is considered one of the most sophisticated examples of medieval goldsmithing. Created by Nicholas of Verdun starting in 1190, the shrine is a large bronze and silver reliquary shaped like a basilican church, ornamented with gemstones and enamels. It reportedly contains the remains of the Three Wise Men, which were brought from Milan to Cologne in 1164 by Archbishop Rainald of Dassel. This acquisition transformed Cologne into one of Europe's most significant international pilgrimage destinations.

Archaeological Predecessor Buildings

Excavations beneath the current cathedral have revealed a long history of Christian worship on the site, beginning with a 4th-century residential meeting place and a 5th-century baptistery. In the 6th century, Merovingian kings built an episcopal church that served as a royal burial site for figures such as Queen Wisigard. This was followed by the Carolingian 'Hildebold Cathedral,' consecrated in 870. At 95 meters long, the Carolingian structure was one of the largest of its era and was modeled after Old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to assert Cologne's status as a 'holy city.'

World War II Impact and Survival

During World War II, the cathedral's twin spires served as a critical navigational landmark for Allied aircraft, which may have contributed to its survival while the surrounding city was flattened. Despite this, the building was struck by fourteen aerial bombs, causing significant damage. In March 1945, the area immediately west of the cathedral was the site of a famous tank duel between an American T26E3 Pershing and a German Panther. Post-war repairs were completed by 1956, though a patch of poor-quality brick remained visible on the northwest tower until 2005 as a war memorial.

Richter's Pixelated Stained Glass

In 2007, the cathedral's south transept was fitted with a new 113-square-meter stained glass window designed by German artist Gerhard Richter. Replacing plain glass that had filled the space since World War II, the work consists of 11,500 identically sized colored glass pieces arranged by computer to resemble pixels. The €400,000 project was funded entirely by donations. The abstract design was controversial; the then-archbishop, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, preferred a figurative depiction of 20th-century martyrs and notably did not attend the window's unveiling ceremony.

Six-Century Construction Span

Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but faced a significant hiatus starting around 1560, leaving the structure incomplete for centuries. During this period, a massive medieval crane remained atop the south tower, serving as a prominent landmark on the city's skyline for 400 years. Work finally resumed in 1842, spurred by Romantic enthusiasm and the discovery of original medieval façade plans. The cathedral was officially completed in 1880, exactly 632 years after the foundation stone was laid, utilizing modern techniques like iron roof girders while adhering to the original design.

Continuous Stone Restoration Efforts

The cathedral requires constant maintenance due to the varying weathering rates of its different rock types. Sandstone used in the 19th century has proven particularly susceptible to acid rain and pollution, which turned the exterior black by the 1960s. While Londorf basalt lava was used for repairs until the 1980s due to its durability, it resulted in a grey color that clashed with the original beige. Since the 1990s, the Dombauhütte has attempted to use stones matching the original sandstone. Additionally, rusting iron anchors are currently being replaced with steel to prevent stone cracking.

The Gero Crucifix and Early Sculpture

The cathedral houses the Gero Crucifix, which is recognized as the oldest large-scale crucifix north of the Alps. Commissioned around 960 for Archbishop Gero, the oak sculpture features traces of original paint and gilding and is considered the earliest known large free-standing Northern sculpture of the medieval period. Other significant medieval works include the Mailänder Madonna, a high Gothic carving from approximately 1290, and the Stefan Lochner altarpiece of the patron saints of Cologne. The cathedral's high altar, installed in 1322, features a massive 15-foot black marble slab topped with white marble niches.

The Gero Crucifix and Early Sculpture

The cathedral houses the Gero Crucifix, which is recognized as the oldest large-scale crucifix north of the Alps. Commissioned around 960 for Archbishop Gero, the oak sculpture features traces of original paint and gilding and is considered the earliest known large free-standing Northern sculpture of the medieval period. Other significant medieval works include the Mailänder Madonna, a high Gothic carving from approximately 1290, and the Stefan Lochner altarpiece of the patron saints of Cologne. The cathedral's high altar, installed in 1322, features a massive 15-foot black marble slab topped with white marble niches.