Cologne Cathedral
Construction on Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Rhine-Westphalia, Germany began in 1248 and was not technically completed until the year 1880. It took over 600 years to complete and is one of the most well known Gothic cathedrals in the world today. The site on which the cathedral was built has been used by Christian churches since the 4th century. It held the title of the tallest building when it was completed in 1880 until 1884 at 515 feet tall. The completion of the Washington Monument took the title from the cathedral. The reason for the cathedral being built is the shrine of the Three Wise Men, whose relics arrived in the city in 1164. In the late 1700’s, participants in the French Revolution used the cathedral as a stable and hay barn.
Near the high altar is the Shrine of the Three Kings. It is said to contain relics from the Magi who
attended the baby Jesus when he was born. It was created by Nicholas of Verdun, a medieval goldsmith. It was begun in 1182 and finished in 1220. It was originally put in the cathedral that was in the place of Cologne Cathedral before it burned. The cathedral’s stained glass windows were crafted by Gerhard Richter in the 13th century.
Is there a specific reason why it took so long to complete? Or is it just because it was such a massive and elaborate structure?
ReplyDeleteThe buillding is very beautiful. I especially love the stained glass. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am very intrigued by Gerhard Richter’s stained glass windows. My question is… what kind of pulley system was used in the 13th Century to help install such massive panes of glass so high up? I would imagine it would take years just to build and secure scaffolding to safely reach such heights.
ReplyDeleteFrom the pictures you included above, the Cologne Cathedral looks visually stunning. I cannot imagine what it was like for architects during this time period to have the ability to create the cathedral itself, especially when considering height and the intricate Gothic designs that were added to these structures. I am also not surprised by the fact that it took so long to build and finish the cathedral.
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