[World Heritage] What is Cologne Cathedral? | The World’s Tallest Gothic Structure Reaching for the Sky!

Located on the banks of the Rhine River in western Germany, Cologne is the fourth most populous city in the country. The city's most iconic landmark is none other than Cologne Cathedral. Known as the largest Gothic-style structure in the world, it took an astonishing 600 years from the start of its construction to its completion.
Visitors are eager to capture its majestic appearance in photos, but its sheer size makes it nearly impossible to fit the entire structure into a single frame!
Another remarkable feature of Cologne Cathedral is its easy accessibility. Unlike many old European cities, it is situated right next to the central station, making it a rare convenience. Let’s take a closer look at Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Germany’s most famous attractions.

What is Cologne Cathedral?

The predecessor of Cologne Cathedral was a church built as early as the 4th century. In the 12th century, the "Relics of the Three Wise Men" were placed there, attracting many believers and contributing significantly to the city's development. As a result, construction of the new cathedral began in 1248.
However, during the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation, along with financial difficulties, repeatedly interrupted construction. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that construction resumed in earnest. During World War II, the cathedral was hit directly by 14 bombs, but miraculously, its exterior remained mostly intact.
A famous postcard sold in Cologne’s souvenir shops depicts the cathedral standing alone in a city reduced to rubble immediately after the war. After more than 600 years of construction and surviving two world wars, Cologne Cathedral was finally designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

How to Get to Cologne Cathedral

From the nearest airport, Cologne Bonn Airport, you can take an express train to Cologne Central Station in just 15 minutes. However, there are no direct flights from Japan to Cologne Bonn Airport. The closest airport with direct flights from Japan is Düsseldorf Airport, from which an express train takes 40 minutes to reach Cologne Central Station.
The most common route, however, is via Frankfurt, a major hub airport in Europe. From Frankfurt Airport or Frankfurt Central Station, you can take an ICE high-speed train to Cologne in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Since Cologne Cathedral stands right in front of the central station, you won’t have any trouble finding it once you arrive.

Recommended Feature of Cologne Cathedral #1: Its Majestic Exterior

The sheer size of Cologne Cathedral is awe-inspiring! Featuring three entrances and two massive spires, this Gothic masterpiece reaches a height of 157 meters. The cathedral itself is also enormous, measuring 86 meters in width and 144 meters in length—truly a work of stone art befitting a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The structure is adorned with intricate sculptures of saints, their robes finely detailed, as well as elaborate reliefs depicting scenes from the Old Testament. The level of craftsmanship, even in places difficult to see, is breathtaking.
The cathedral’s south tower serves as an observation deck, and visitors can climb to the top. After ascending more than 500 steps, you'll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of Cologne! Since tall buildings are restricted in the area to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage landscape, you can enjoy an unobstructed 360-degree view.

Cologne Cathedral Highlight #2: Gerhard Richter’s Stained Glass

Although Cologne Cathedral miraculously survived total destruction during World War II, its southern stained glass window was shattered by bombings. After the war, a temporary stained glass window was installed, but in 2007, a new stained glass window designed by German artist Gerhard Richter was put in place.
This stained glass design features 11,500 square glass pieces in 72 different colors, arranged in a seemingly random checkerboard pattern generated by a computer.
The combination of this modern and innovative stained glass with the old and majestic Cologne Cathedral has sparked both praise and criticism. Nevertheless, the unpredictable color patterns created by computer-generated randomness result in a dazzling display of light and color that human hands could not have designed in the same way.

Cologne Cathedral Highlight #3: Deutz District Across the River

Since Cologne Cathedral is so massive, capturing its full view in a single photo is extremely difficult. One of the best spots for photographing the cathedral is the Deutzer Bridge (Deutzer Brücke), which spans the Rhine River. Since it runs parallel to the railway bridge, you can take beautiful shots that include the cathedral, the intricate trusses, and the trains moving slowly in and out of Cologne Central Station.
From the Deutz side of the river, you can walk along the riverside embankment and take pictures from various angles. Then, you can cross back to the city center via Severins Bridge (Severinsbrücke), just south of Deutzer Bridge. Along the way, you'll find a small island where the Chocolate Museum is located.
By the way, the "Deutz" district of Cologne has no relation to the German word for "Germany" ("Deutsch").

◎ Summary

This guide introduced Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While Cologne is the fourth largest city in Germany, its main attractions, including the cathedral, are concentrated in a small area, making it easy to explore within half a day.
For souvenirs, Eau de Cologne, which means "water of Cologne," is a famous local product! And don’t forget to try Kölsch, Cologne’s signature beer. This traditional, slightly light-bodied beer is served in small, slender glasses, making it perfect for a refreshing, casual drink.

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[World Heritage] What is Cologne Cathedral? | The World’s Tallest Gothic Structure Reaching for the Sky!