The Cologne Cathedral is the tallest Roman Catholic cathedral in the world. It was built between 1248 and 1880 in order to house the precious Shrine of the Three Holy Kings. The cathedral stands 516 feet (157 meters) tall and is one of the most popular attractions in the city.
Admire the majestic spires before entering the cathedral. Once inside, walk down the main aisle and look up at one of the tallest Gothic vaults in the world. The stained-glass windows are particularly eye-catching five of them were gifts from King Ludwig I of Bavaria. One of the windows is a 66-foot (20-meter) high modern interpretation added by the German artist Gerhard Richter in 2007.
Approach the impressive High Altar to see the sarcophagus the cathedral was built for. Decorated in gold and studded with jewels, the shrine is said to hold the crowned skulls of the Magi, otherwise known as the “three wise men,” and is the largest reliquary in the Western world.
The shrine is not the only treasure you’ll find in the Cologne Cathedral. The oldest surviving crucifix monument north of the Alps, the Gero-Kreuz, is located just by the sacristy. In the Sacrament Chapel is the Milan Madonna, an elegant wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus, dating back to the 13th century. Enter the Treasure Chamber to see a collection of precious artifacts, some dating as far back as the fourth century.
Climb the cathedral tower for views of the city from 328 feet (100 meters) high.
Some say the cathedral is an example of divine intervention, as it survived the bombings that razed the rest of central Cologne to the ground during World War II. Others attribute its survival to the fact that Allied bomber pilots used the cathedral as a point of orientation for navigating the area.
The main hall can be entered free of charge. There are small fees for entry to the Treasury Chamber and Cathedral Tower. The cathedral is located next to Cologne’s main train station. Take the U-Bahn to the station Dom/Hauptbahnhof. There is a pay parking facility nearby.
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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
Browse through a collection of art objects dating from the medieval ages to today to see how design influences our everyday lives.

Hohenzollern Bridge
Enjoy views of the city’s famed cathedral from this huge rail bridge, which is a favorite spot for couples to take a romantic stroll.

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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