Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the Gothic cathedral next to the main railway station, and with towers of 157 metres it is the tallest twin-spired church in the world. Begun in 1248 and finished only in 1880, it was built to house the relics of the Three Kings, which still lie in a golden shrine behind the high altar.
Cologne Cathedral at a glance
- Where: on the Domplatte in the city centre, right next to Köln Hauptbahnhof and a few minutes from the Rhine.
- Built: 1248–1880, with a break of several centuries; consecrated in parts, the choir in 1322.
- By: Master Gerhard designed the Gothic choir; Ernst Friedrich Zwirner led the 19th-century completion.
- What it is today: the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and Germany's most visited landmark.
- Time needed: 45 minutes for the interior; add about an hour for the tower climb.
Six centuries of building
In 1164 Archbishop Rainald of Dassel brought the bones of the Three Kings from Milan to Cologne, a gift from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa that turned the city into one of Europe's great pilgrimage destinations. A new cathedral worthy of the relics was needed, and on 15 August 1248 Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden laid the foundation stone. The choir was consecrated in 1322. Work then slowed and came to a halt in the 1470s, leaving the south tower stuck at the height of its belfry, topped by a wooden crane that remained part of the Cologne skyline for centuries.
Construction resumed in 1842 following the surviving medieval plans, now with modern techniques such as iron roof girders. On 15 October 1880, in the presence of Emperor Wilhelm I, the completion was celebrated as a national event, 632 years after the start. For four years the cathedral was the tallest building in the world, until the Washington Monument overtook it. During the Second World War it was hit many times but stayed standing in a flattened city, and to many people it became a symbol of survival.
What to look for
- The Shrine of the Three Kings: the large gilded reliquary behind the high altar, the reason the cathedral exists.
- The Gero Cross: an oak crucifix from around 970, described as the oldest large sculpture of the crucified Christ north of the Alps, in its own chapel.
- The Richter window: Gerhard Richter's window in the south transept, dedicated in 2007, made of 11,263 glass squares in 72 colours.
- The west facade: stand back on the Domplatte to take in the twin towers; the cathedral has the largest facade of any church in the world.
- The bells: on the tower climb you pass the bell room, home to the 24-tonne St. Peter's bell, 'Dicker Pitter', cast in 1923.
- The view: 533 steps up a narrow spiral staircase in the south tower lead to a viewing platform at about 97 metres, looking over the Rhine and the old town.
Visiting since July 2026
Since 1 July 2026 tourists need a ticket to visit the interior, entering by the main west portal; children up to 13 and people coming to services do not pay. A small area by the north entrance, facing the station, stays open free of charge for prayer. Visits are not possible during services, so check the cathedral's official website before you go.
Tips for your visit
- Come early in the morning for a quieter nave and soft light through the stained glass.
- Dress and behave as you would in any active church: it is a place of worship, not only a monument.
- The tower climb is steep and narrow, with no lift; wear good shoes and allow time for breaks.
- For the classic view of the whole cathedral, cross the Hohenzollern Bridge to the Deutz bank and look back.
Nearby
- Hohenzollern Bridge: the railway bridge covered in love locks, with the best view back to the cathedral, a few minutes' walk.
- Heinzelmännchenbrunnen: the fountain telling the legend of Cologne's house gnomes, a few minutes south on Am Hof.
- Farina House: the fragrance museum in the home of the eau de Cologne makers, a short walk into the old town.
See Cologne with World City Trail
Our Cologne scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 2 hours, with about 20 minutes of walking. Cologne Cathedral is one of the stops, along with the Hauptbahnhof, the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen and the Old Market. You can play in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in Cologne.
Play the Cologne scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Cologne →
Play the outdoor escape game in Cologne →
Facts checked in October 2026.