Cologne: The famous Cathedral and the old city

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The massive Cologne Cathedral dominates the skyline of the city. It was thought to be the highest structure in the world from 1880-1884. Constructed off and on over a period of more than 600 years, it was begun in 1248 and is reputed to be the final burial site of the bones of the three kings who visited the baby Jesus.

Although it exterior is blackened from pollution, efforts are being made to restore it, but this is extremely difficult to do without damaging the stone from which it's built.

Our cruise-supplied guide led us around the old city and then we decided to take an additional tour of the inside of the cathedral.

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Photos

Cologne Cathedral
Although 95% of Cologne's buildings were destroyed in World War II, and the cathedral sustained some damage, it has remained the towering symbol of Cologne to this day.

Cologne Cathdral from the front
It's hard to get back far enough to get it all in the photo.

Phil, Ron and Gabrielle
Waiting for our tour to begin. And what about the expected spring weather?

An attempt at restoration
But people didn't like the look. It made them think of concrete, not stone.

Gargoyles facing off at each other.
I thought the devil was their enemy. Not each other.

Current restoration work
The stone is so easily damaged that this work takes a very long time.

The wave-like roof is supposed to pay tribute to the lines of the cathdral.
I like the waves, but I can't see the homage in them.

Central train station, built close to the cathedral in the mid 1800s, using that new material, steel.
I like its curves and its design doesn't look old to me.

Walkway by the Rhine
It's an easy stroll downhill from the cathedral to get to this park area.

Fisherman's square
Of course fish were an important food for the people of Cologne.

The home of 4711 eau de cologne
Referred to now as "what your grandmother sprinkled on her hankie", I'm quite sure Aunt Alice sent me to buy this for her once.

The nave of the cathedral
The sheer height is breathtaking.

Tapestries!!!
For those of us who just saw The Lady and the Unicorn exhibit at the Art Gallery of NSW: I was struck to see the tapestries hung all down both sides of the nave.

The burial place of the three kings
The large golden structure at the back of this photo is where the alleged bones of the three kings are buried, each with a crown on their skulls, facing to the front of the church toward the rising sun on Easter morning.

Floor mosaics
Superbly done.

The huge choir stall
One of the oldest parts of the cathedral. The wooden benches are said to have hundreds of little devils carved into them. Why???

Said to be the oldest large crucifix
The background and halo were later additions.

The modern stained glass window
The colours are digitally distributed and non-representative. Some parts are mirror images of other parts.

Comments

[michelleandkev]

Cologne cathedral
A few years ago when we were travelling by train in Europe we stopped at Cologne where we had a few minutes to get out of the train before it finished its journey. So we got to see Cologne cathedral and take a few photos of the outside of it. So thanks for showing me what it's like on the inside. Great photos!! M xx

[Fran Warner]

Memories of a cold Cathedral on New Years Day 1990
I nearly froze when attending New Years Mass on the morning of 1 January 1990 while part of a Grail meeting in a nearby city - I had my Mum's very old fur coat on - but still froze - the poor reps from African countries were even colder - the hot lunch afterwards was great! Love to you both, Fran