Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral on the banks of the Rhine in central Cologne, Germany. Construction began in 1248 and, after long interruptions, the building was completed in 1880; it is one of Germany’s best-known landmarks.

The cathedral is notable for its twin spires rising to about 157 meters and a footprint roughly 144 meters long, making it one of the largest Gothic churches in Europe. The interior includes a high nave and extensive stained glass windows and houses major medieval treasures.

A principal attraction is the climb to the South Tower - 533 steps - which gives panoramic views over Cologne and the Rhine. The cathedral also displays significant works of medieval goldsmithing and a treasury of reliquaries and liturgical objects.

Construction began in 1248, work paused in the late Middle Ages and was resumed in the 19th century using the original medieval plans, with completion in 1880. The building has been a major pilgrimage and civic monument since the Middle Ages and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1996.

The cathedral stands beside Cologne Hauptbahnhof in the city center on the Rhine, immediately adjacent to the main rail station and within walking distance of the Old Town and Rhine promenade.

• Access and tickets: Access to the nave is free; the tower climb requires a timed ticket and can involve queues during peak season.
• UNESCO status: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

What to See #

• Domschatz (Cathedral Treasury): Contains the cathedral treasury with medieval reliquaries and liturgical objects, including the 12th-century shrine traditionally identified as the Shrine of the Three Kings.
• South Tower (observation climb): Reached by a climb of 533 steps, the South Tower provides panoramic views over Cologne and the Rhine and is the usual visitor observation point.