The place to go to on this German metropolis, the Cologne Cathedral actually is the primary attraction you may’t miss if you happen to’re exploring right here.
UNESCO-listed since 1996 (I’ll go into why just a little in a while), with a complete heap of accolades to its title (together with the world’s tallest twin-sphered church and the most important Gothic Cathedral in northern Europe!), this large non secular construction is kind of the sight to behold.
And that’s much more obvious once you step inside it, to not point out once you climb the tons of of steps to its spectacular South Tower outlook.
With an unbelievable array of historic artefacts and providing wonderful views over the historic centre of this metropolis, there’s no query that visiting Cologne Cathedral must be in your checklist if you happen to’re spending any time on this German metropolis.
And right here’s all it is advisable to know to do exactly that…
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Why Go to the Cologne Cathedral?
The icon of this metropolis, if I didn’t make it clear within the introduction, then the Cologne cathedral is the primary attraction it is advisable to see right here!
Boasting as much as 20,000 guests a day, it’s hardly a secret.. and fairly frankly, how may or not it’s?!
Completely enormous, and looming massive as quickly as you exit Cologne’s principal prepare station (Koln Hbf) if, by some miracle, you do occur to overlook it at first, then you definately’ll rapidly see each trinket on this metropolis, from postcards and keyrings to waffles, stamped with the Cathedral’s unmistakable define.
Courting again to the 12th century, the Cologne Cathedral is just not solely enormous due to this fact, but additionally historic.
It’s additionally the winner of such prestigious titles as ‘the world’s tallest twin-sphered church’, ‘the most important Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe’ and ‘the most important swinging bell on this planet’, to not point out it’s house to one of many oldest Biblical-themed stained glass home windows in Europe.
Phew!
Huge and spectacular, hopefully I’ve satisfied you that the Cologne Cathedral is a should throughout your time on this metropolis!
The place is It?
As I discussed briefly, Cologne Cathedral is positioned proper outdoors town’s principal prepare station.
And after I say proper outdoors, I imply it!
Exit the station and also you’ll see this Gothic gem towering above simply to your proper.
For these not arriving into this metropolis by prepare, the Cathedral remains to be straightforward to find!
Its enormous towers are seen from nearly anyplace within the metropolis and its entrance could be discovered proper within the coronary heart of the historic outdated city – the place the place you’ll probably be spending most of your time in Cologne.
In the event you’re nonetheless confused, then the Cathedral’s official deal with is Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln, Germany!
In the event you see the phrase Kölner Dom flagging up in your Google maps, then you definately’ve obtained the correct spot. That is simply the German title for the Cologne Cathedral.
The doorway of the Cathedral could be reached by strolling up the steps to the left aspect of Cologne’s prepare station exit.
To succeed in the doorway to the Cathedral towers, you’ll must stroll across the outdoors of the constructing to the other aspect, aka the riverside of the Cathedral.
Right here you’ll discover the ticket workplace, a small museum and steps that lead as much as the statement deck.
Prices, Entry & Opening Occasions
The Cathedral, as a complete, is open from 6am to 8pm day by day, though visiting hours for vacationers are usually Monday to Saturday from 10am to five pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm.
That is to accommodate Sunday mass and different companies.
Coming into the Cathedral itself is free.
I’ll talk about the highlights of this space extra within the subsequent part of this text.
The one half it is advisable to pay to entry contained in the Cathedral is The Treasury, the place entrance prices 6€ full value and three€ for concessions. There’s additionally household tickets accessible for 12€.
The Treasury is open from 10am to 6pm.
Away from the inside of Cologne’s Cathedral, it’s additionally attainable to climb the Southern Tower of this enormous non secular construction – once more, I’ll go into this extra in a while.
Entry to the Tower is accessible between 9am and 4pm within the winter months, 9am to 6pm in the summertime months and 9am to 5pm within the Spring and Autumn months.
It prices 6€ for adults, 3€ for concessions and household tickets can be found for 12€.
Guided excursions of the Cathedral and Treasury are additionally accessible.
Teams are capped at 20 individuals and tickets could be purchased as much as 7 days upfront right here.
Excursions final 45 minutes, price 10€ for adults (8€ for youngsters and college students) and are run day by day besides Saturday at 3pm.
Particular excursions of the Cathedral roof, excavation space, the bells and Cologne Cathedral at evening are additionally accessible and bookable utilizing the above hyperlink too.
Group sizes for particular excursions are capped at 12 individuals.
For guided excursions of Cologne as a complete, which embrace a go to to the Cathedral, take a look at this really helpful choice, which additionally incorporates a brewery go to and a pair of free kolsch!
Contained in the Cathedral
Now that the place to seek out the Cathedral and what you are able to do there, it’s time to debate a few of its highlights, beginning contained in the Cathedral itself.
Enter the Cathedral utilizing the principle road degree doorways and put together to be amazed!
One other accolade incoming… that is the second tallest church in Europe!
The nave’s ceiling reaches over 40m tall and is 144m lengthy, making it the longest nave in Germany – BOOM!
Don’t neglect to take a look at the Gothic constructions right here, together with the flying buttresses and spitting gargoyles, in addition to the spectacular stained glass home windows.
Amazingly, the stained glass was eliminated earlier than the bombing of Cologne throughout WWII, that means all these home windows are authentic and a few even date again so far as the 14th century, making them among the oldest in Europe too.
The shrine of the three sensible males (the fellows from the Nativity story) can be discovered inside Cologne Cathedral.
Regarded as the unique cause this non secular constructing was constructed, the relics of the three Biblical Magi have been purchased to Cologne in 1164.
Now positioned in a gold case that sits on the Excessive Altar, that is the jewel in Cologne Cathedral’s crown.
And eventually, now we have the Cathedral Treasury.
Containing holy relics, in addition to bronze, silver, and gold artworks – there’s a further charge to get into the Treasury as I discussed within the part above.
Climbing the Cologne Cathedral
However now we come to essentially the most enjoyable half in my view, climbing the Cathedral’s Southern Tower!
As talked about, you’ll have to exit the Cathedral’s principal doorways and stroll round to the other aspect of the constructing to seek out the tower entry level.
There’s bathroom services right here too, in addition to a small reward store and exhibition house.
Enter and pay on your tower entry on the desk… after which start the climb!
However be warned… it’s a hefty 533 steps as much as the viewing platform through a tiny spiral staircase. And there’s just one level to relaxation about 2 thirds of the best way up!
Don’t try this climb in case you are not in good well being or endure from claustrophobia.
In the event you do resolve to go for it, then strap in for not less than quarter-hour of going up and up, spherical and spherical, as you make your means as much as the 157m summit.
The ultimate a part of the climb includes strolling on a constructed picket staircase, fairly than stone steps, so if heights aren’t your factor both, you could need to rethink too!
After which, you’ve lastly made it, as much as the Tower for nice views throughout Cologne’s skyline.
Sadly, security netting does obscure the view partially, but it surely’s nonetheless a fairly spectacular outlook.
As a result of the stroll right here is slim and one-way, it does make sense to not rush your time on the high, so you may make sure you absorb the entire 300 diploma view and cease for any snaps to keep away from doubling again on your self.
I extremely advocate climbing Cathedral Cathedral within the morning if attainable, as this gives you the perfect lights on your pictures.
In the event you’re hoping to climb the Cathedral Tower for an ideal sundown view, then you definately may need to know there’s undoubtedly a greater spot.
Head to my article about catch the perfect sundown views from the Cologne Triangle to study extra.
When climbing down, you must use the identical staircases to navigate on the best way out too.
Put together to get dizzy!
Historical past of Cologne Cathedral
And now, for all you eager beans on the market, right here’s a short phrase in regards to the historical past of Cologne Cathedral… I’ll maintain it snappy as a result of nobody like a boring historical past lesson do they!
Development started on the Cathedral you see at the moment in 1248 (though there had been a church on the identical website because the 4th century).
The impetus behind this was believed to be the three Clever Males relics, which had been purchased from Italy to Cologne by Archbishop Rainald von Dassel.
In spite of everything, 3 kings deserve a good house proper?!
Work began quickly after this, however a hearth burnt the constructing down, so work started once more in 1248.
Nevertheless, it was not till 1880 that the entire Cathedral was lastly full, with the two Towers being the final completed components.
Such delays have been attributable to a large number of hiccups, together with lack of funding and rumours of 1 architect making a take care of the satan, however issues lastly smoothed out and the 19th century Romantics ultimately obtained their act collectively and completed the job!
WWII induced a little bit of havoc, with Cologne’s Cathedral being bombed at least 14 occasions, however fortunately the stained glass home windows had been eliminated as I’ve talked about.
Renovation work on the Cathedral is ongoing and even to at the present time, a group of round 80 to 100 individuals work persistently on the constructing to maintain it secure and safe for future generations.
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Cologne Mini Journey Information
When to Go to?
I undoubtedly advocate visiting Cologne in the summertime months of June by September, when the nice and cozy climate will give the perfect tackle this metropolis and the views from the Cologne Cathedral.
The opposite nice time to go to is throughout December, when the well-known Germans Christmas markets of this metropolis are in full movement!
How one can Get to Cologne?
The worldwide Cologne Bonn Airport is the perfect place to fly into if you happen to’re travelling from additional afield.
As at all times, I take advantage of Skyscanner to seek out the most cost effective flight offers.
In any other case, if you happen to’re travelling to Cologne from throughout Germany, or a close-by nation comparable to Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic or Austria, trains and buses will probably be simpler.
Trainline is my go-to web site for reserving rail journey throughout Europe, as a result of they let you simply examine an enormous vary of journeys based mostly on length, variety of adjustments and value. You may also pay for tickets in GBP USD or EUR.
In any other case, in terms of funds bus journey to Cologne, it needs to be Flixbus.
I’ve used this firm a ton myself in Europe and know that it’s arduous to beat their unbelievable costs.
How Lengthy to Spend There?
Cologne has a small metropolis centre that you need to be capable of cowl in a day or 2.
This top-rated Cologne & Limburg full day tour is a good choice if you’d like a information to indicate you round.
In any other case, this road artwork tour within the Ehrenfeld District is one other winner.
The place to Keep?
For a listing of really helpful locations to remain in Cologne, take a look at these nice choices.
Journey Insurance coverage for Germany
World Nomads provides easy and versatile journey insurance coverage. Purchase at house or whereas travelling and declare on-line from anyplace on this planet.
Alternatively, if you happen to’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent distant employee looking for journey well being cowl, take a look at Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance coverage insurance policies.
Journey Cash in Germany
In relation to getting paying for issues in Germany, you need to make sure you’re not being charged abroad transaction charges or getting poor trade charges when utilizing your card overseas, which is why I at all times take my Clever Card away with me wherever I journey.
The simple method to spend once you’re travelling with actual trade charges, no markups, no sneaky transaction charges and a free Euros account, you should utilize your Clever card similar to a debit card right here.. and it hyperlinks simply with Google and Apple pay – bought!
Get yours right here.
SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST!
In order that’s my full information to the Cologne Cathedral and all it is advisable to learn about visiting and climbing it!
Have you ever checked out this spectacular German landmark?
Have some other high suggestions that would assist a fellow Cologne traveller out?
Then please drop them into the feedback field under…