Cologne Cathedral
If there is one thing you need to see when visiting Cologne, it is Cologne Cathedral. At 157 m (515 ft), it is the tallest twin-spired cathedral in the world, the second tallest church in Europe after Ulm Minster in Germany, and it is the third tallest church building of any type in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and to describe this as being in the Gothic-style is an understatement.
Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but came to a halt, unfinished, around 1560. It wasn’t until the 1840’s that funded construction got back underway, with the building completed in 1880 to the original medieval plan. At that time, the Cathedral was the tallest building in the world, with building work having been completed over a total of 632 years. The towers for the two massive spires provide the cathedral with the largest façade of any church in the world today. It is a challenge to stand far enough back to take in the sheer size of this cathedral, and when standing in front of the main entrance, the feeling of being small is almost overwhelming.
Inside, there is The Shrine of the Three Kings, (or Tomb of the Three Kings). It is believed to contain the bones of the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men. Built from approximately 1180 to 1225, it is one of the largest examples of a reliquary (a box or chest containing holy relics, for example the remains of a saint) in the Western world. These are typically highly ornate and considered valuable works of art. The elaborate decoration and carvings, with the use of precious metals and gemstones often relate to the relics they contain. The one in Cologne Cathedral is a triple sarcophagus situated above and behind the high altar. It is a magnificent sight.
Nearby, there is a tourist attraction that belongs firmly in the twenty first century, promoted through social media. The Bridge of Padlocks contains what is described as ‘love-locks’ and couples attach these to the bridge, usually with their names or initials inscribed on the padlock, as a symbol of their love for each other. There are thousands of them and have spilled out onto the railings surrounding the walkway to the bridge. It’s a surreal sight.
Cologne is known for the flocks of green Parrots that swoop in to occupy the trees along the quayside in the early evening. Hundreds of them fly in, several dozen at a time, to take up residence in the branches, blending in with the green leaves. The fact they arrive in small flocks, means there is ample opportunity to see this marvellous sight. I managed to take some cool video of this and took a few still photographs, though that was a challenge given the dense foliage and because they blend in so well.
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