Plizio Visual Lab
Kölner Dom
Cologne Cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, is a Roman Catholic cathedral and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1248 but remained unfinished for centuries until it was finally completed in 1880 according to original medieval plans. With its twin spires reaching a height of 157 meters, the cathedral was the world's tallest building at the time of its completion. A primary reason for its monumental scale was to house the Shrine of the Three Kings, which was brought to Cologne from Milan in 1164. Despite heavy aerial bombardments of the city during World War II, the cathedral remained relatively stable, although it was hit by several bombs. Since 1996, Cologne Cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage site and is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 visitors daily. Its artistic treasures include the 12th-century Shrine of the Three Kings and the 10th-century Gero Cross.
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Top sights: Cologne Cathedral · Cologne Cathedral Treasury · Dionysosmosaik
- Nearby: Hürth (9 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 74 | 62 | 59 | 44 | 64 | 68 | 75 | 79 | 57 | 61 | 71 | 77 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Construction lasted a total of 632 years with interruptions.
- The spires are 157.38 meters high and contain 533 steps.
- The Shrine of the Three Kings is Europe's largest medieval goldwork.
- The cathedral has eleven bells; the largest is 'St. Peter's Bell'.
- The internal length of the cathedral is approximately 144 meters.
- The total area of the stained glass windows is about 10,000 m².
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Kölner Dom (10)
Römisches Nordtor
The Roman North Gate is the main arch of Gate 1. It was relocated and re-erected.
Domfontäne
Domfontäne is a fountain in Cologne. It is located next to the cathedral.
Romano-Germanic Museum🏛 museum
The Romano-Germanic Museum is closed for renovation. The interim exhibition is at the Belgian House.
Roman Road
The Roman Road shows cobblestones of the Roman harbor street excavated in 1969/1970.
Römisches Aquädukt
The Roman Aqueduct is an ancient water channel in Cologne.
Brunnenfassung
Brunnenfassung is a ruin in Cologne. It dates from the Roman period.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
How high are the towers of Cologne Cathedral?
Is there an entry fee for the cathedral?
What is the Shrine of the Three Kings?
How many steps must you climb for the tower ascent?
Is the cathedral a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Kölner Dom: where is it located?
Kölner Dom: what is there to see?
Kölner Dom: when is the best time to visit?
Kölner Dom: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
