Colonge Trip, Nov 2006 - Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral)

The western façade of the Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral is apparently one of the most famous and most visited landmark in Germany. The Cathedral is dedicated to Saints Peter and Mary, hence the full name: Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria

The construction of the church began in 1248 and it took place in several stages. The cathedral was not completed until 1880. Although the construction took place over more than 700 years, the builders have tried to adhere as much to the original plan as possible. Only the steel roof is of modern design.

The church itself was built on the site of a 4th Century Roman temple. The present Cathedral was built to house the relics of the Three Magi (a.k.a. the 'Three Wise Man'), which was brought to Cologne in 1146 by Archbishop Reinald von Dassel. It attracted some many pilgrims from all over the continent.

The Cathedral also houses some of the most important Christian art in the world:

The Shrine of the Three Kings (Dreikönigsschrein).

The Shrine of the Three Kinds contains the relics of the Three Magi. The relics were originally situated at Constantinople, but brought to Milan by Eustorgius I, the city's bishop, in 344. After the relics arrived in Cologne, many artisans, including the famous medieval goldsmith, Nicholas of Verdun, worked on the Shrine in the period between 1190 to 1220. The shrine itself it finely gilded and decorated. The details are amazing! The representations covers the History of Salvation from the beginning of time to the Last Judgment.

Gero Crucifix.

The monumental wooden crucifix was donated by Archbishop Gero (died 976) and it is dated for circa 970. The Gero Crucifix is the oldest monumental figure of the Crucified Christ that is still in existence.

There is an amazing mosaic floor at the choir. The ceramic mosaic pieces were produced by the firm Villeroy & Boch. Here are some examples:

The German Emperor.

The personification of Germany, with a model of the Cologne Church of St. Gereon in her hands.

From the official website (source: http://www.koelner-dom.de/index.php?L=1&id=17992):

This [the above mosaic] is one of eight mostly crowned female figures sitting on richly decorated thrones and representing on both sides of the Emperor Mosaic the great Christian nations of the Old World. Each has as attribute a model of that country's most important church.

The Cathedral features the largest church facade in the world.

The three portals may look small in the over scheme of things, but it is still very BIG.

The middle portal depicts the time before Redemption. To the left is the portal of the Three Holy Kings which shows the presentation of the Son of God to the peoples of the world. To the right is the Peter's Portal which refers to the spreading of the teachings of Christ through the apostles.

The western façade

From the North. To capture this shot, SP had to leave his camera and run 20 metres to our position!

For more information:

http://www.koelner-dom.de/