Cologne Cathedral
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This Gothic masterpiece is Germany's largest cathedral. Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but was halted in 1473, unfinished. Work did not restart until the 1840s, and the edifice was completed to its original Medieval plan in 1880.
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Cologne's medieval builders had planned a grand structure to house the reliquary of the Three Kings and fit its role as a place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor. Despite having been left incomplete during the medieval period, Cologne Cathedral eventually became unified as "a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value" and "a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe.
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During the 2nd world war, the cathedral was severely damaged. It was not until 1956 that the cathedral could be returned to its intended purpose in all its glory. Located in the heart of the city it is 144 metres long, 86 metres wide and with 157 metre-tall spires.
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Below are a selection of photographs from my visit there.
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