When I mentioned I was travelling to Cologne for its fabulous quirky Christmas markets, the huge Gothic Cathedral was the landmark on everyone’s lips. From the moment I stepped out of the train station it wasn’t hard to see why it makes such an impression – it towers above every nearby building, its spires reaching towards the sky. We used it to orient ourselves when roaming between markets, and admired it in the light of day and night.
The entrance to the Cathedral Market
The level of detail on the Dom (German for Cathedral) reminded me of Notre Dame in Paris, with figures, faces, and motifs decorating every inch.
The site of the Cathedral has been a place of worship since early Christianity. Construction on the current Gothic church began in 1248, after the old church became unable to deal with the amount of pilgrims visiting the relics of the Magi, which were brought to Cologne in 1164. Works continued until 1530 when a combination of lack of funds and interest meant the building stopped. It wasn’t until the late eighteenth century that the Cathedral was finally completed. Now works are taking place again, to repair the damage done by the 14 large aerial bombs that hit during the Second World War.
Despite the years of neglect and the scars that mark it, inside the Dom felt peaceful and untouched. The high stained-glass windows filtered the dim winter light down towards us and the low voices of visitors filled the space with a gentle hum. After soaking in the atmosphere, we headed back outside to climb the tower. I’ve headed to the tops of a fair few churches and cathedrals now, from the Duomo in Florence to St Paul’s in London, and I can safely say that Cologne’s Cathedral is among the most strenuous of those climbs! However, 533 steps later and (slightly puffing) we were able to admire the views and even pick out the markets dotting the nearby squares.
Looking towards the Alter Markt and the Rhine
Watch the vertigo! Looking down on the Cathedral market
As always I loved getting a higher perspective on the city – and especially being able to spot the markets scattered around Cologne!
Have you visited Cologne? Did you climb to the top of the Dom?
