The Majestic Cologne Cathedral
The Cologne Cathedral Is The Tallest Twin-Spired Church In The World
The construction of the Cologned Cathedral began in 1248, but the edifice was only completed to its original Medieval plan in 1880. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.
A Grand Structure To House The Reliquary Of The Three Kings
After the Archbishop of Cologne had acquired the relics of the Three Kings in 1164, it was deemed important to church officials that they be properly housed. The relics have great religious significance and drew pilgrims from all over Christendom.
Treasures of the Cologne Cathedral
The Shrine of the Three Kings is the most celebrated work of art in the cathedral. It is traditionally believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men. The shrine takes the form of a large reliquary in the shape of a basilican church, made of bronze and silver, gilded and ornamented with architectonic details, figurative sculpture, enamels and gemstones.
The Gero-Kruz is a large crucifix carved in oak and with traces of paint and gilding. It is was commissioned in 960 for Archbishop Gero, and is believed to be the oldest large crucifix and the earliest known large sculpture of the medieval period.
Gather All Ye Faithful.
The Cologne Cathedral is a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value and a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe. 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 older and most important pilgrimage sites of Northern Europe.
