The Cologne Cathedral stands 157 metres tall, making it the tallest Roman Catholic cathedral in the world. Its purpose was to house the treasured Shrine of the Three Holy Kings, which it does to this day. It has dominated the skyline of Cologne and is the pride of the people ever since its completion in 1880.
The Cologne Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world and Germany's most visited landmark with approximately 20,000 visitors each day. It is also a World Heritage Site.
Once you enter the cathedral, walk down the centre aisle then look up to see one of the tallest Gothic vaults known to man. Marvel at the arresting stained glass windows, 5 of which were gifted to the church by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. In 2007, German artist Gerhard Richter designed a 20-metre stained glass window based on a modern interpretation of the original medieval style.
As you near the High Altar you will see the shrine for which the cathedral was built. An impressive example of medieval gold craftsmanship and decorated with jewels, the sarcophagus houses the mortal remains of the "Three Wise Men". It is said to be the largest, most extravagant shrine in the Western world.
There are a multitude of ancient religious artifacts to admire. Next to the sacristy you will see the Gero-Kreuz. This is the oldest surviving crucifix monument in Northern Europe. A 13th-century wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary with infant Jesus, known as the Milan Madonna, can be found in the Sacrament Chapel. If you visit the Treasure Chamber you will find an array of ancient relics dating back as far as the 4th century.
There is the school of thought that believes the Cologne Cathedral is a miracle in itself as it survived bomb attacks from allied forces throughout WW II, despite the rest of central Cologne suffering considerable damage. Another opinion is of course that the giant towers were a navigational point of reference for pilots and was therefore left alone.
Entrance to the main hall is free of charge however there is a small fee to enter the Treasury Chamber and Cathedral Tower. Centrally located, the cathedral is next to Cologne's main train station. Take the U-Bahn to the station Dom/Hauptbahnhof and you will find a pay-as-you-go parking facility nearby.
Cologne Cathedral
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Reviews of Cologne Cathedral
5/5 - Excellent
Pay 5 euros to walk up the steps to the top of the cathedral to get some brilliant views of the city
5/5 - Excellent
Walking distance & nice to be able to look round at my leisure, had seen it 49 years ago & walked passed it but wasnt able to go inside on that trip.
Popular places to visit
Pixie Fountain
Pixies from an old Cologne fairy tale adorn this enchanting fountain that stands beside a brewery and a cathedral.
Romano-Germanic Museum
Uncover a fascinating world of Roman artifacts in this archaeological museum dedicated to the Roman settlement upon which Cologne was built.
Museum Ludwig
Discover a magnificent survey of modern art in this contemporary museum building dedicated to the arts and music in Cologne’s historic quarter.
Museum of Applied Art
Peruse the extensive collection of artworks dating from medieval times right up to today and see the influence design has on our everyday life.
Hohenzollern Bridge
Admire stunning views of the city and river from this giant rail bridge, also a cherished spot for couples to display their “love locks”.
City Hall
Over 900 years of history are built into the stones of Cologne’s governmental buildings, where structures from throughout the centuries form one stunning landmark.
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Best time to go to Cologne Cathedral
The best time to visit Cologne Cathedral can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Cologne Cathedral falls in July, when visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Cologne Cathedral falls in January, visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain.
 Calendar Month |  Temperature |  Precipitation |  Cloudiness |  Occupancy |  Pricing |
| January | 37.0°F (2.8°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Average | Average |
| February | 38.5°F (3.6°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Slightly Low | Slightly Low |
| March | 43.7°F (6.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Average | Slightly High |
| April | 50.5°F (10.3°C) | No Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly High | Average |
| May | 56.8°F (13.8°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Average |
| June | 64.0°F (17.8°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Average |
| July | 67.1°F (19.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Slightly Low |
| August | 66.9°F (19.4°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Average |
| September | 60.6°F (15.9°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly High | Average |
| October | 52.9°F (11.6°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly Low | Slightly High |
| November | 45.1°F (7.3°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Slightly Low | Slightly High |
| December | 39.6°F (4.2°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Slightly High | Slightly Low |
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