The Facade of Cologne Cathedral

I will show you 360 views of the facade of Cologne Cathedral in Germany – before I take you inside. This imposing Gothic Cathedral is Cologne’s most famous landmark and the pride of its people – regardless of their religious affiliation. And true enough, from a glance outside, the cathedral is nothing short of stupendous and magnificent!

Looking at its sky-scraping spires, you feel like a tiny human in front of a towering giant.

Cologne Cathedral (aka Cathedral Church of St. Peter) stands on the Rhine River.

You can’t miss its colossal structure which can be seen anywhere on almost everyone’s rooftop.

Its two enormous towers have dominated Koln’s skyline since 1880.

The northern tower rises at 157.38 meters while the southern tower stands 7cm shorter.

The foundation of this cathedral was laid on August 15, 1248 – the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

Cologne Cathedral is the second tallest building in the city, second only to Colonius Cologne Telecommunications Tower.

With 8,000 sqm. of floor space, Koln Cathedral can host more than 20,000 people.

The church is famed for the shrine of the three wise men whose bodies are believed to be buried here.

That’s why pilgrims from around the world visit this cathedral, hoping to glimpse the remains of the Three Wise Men: Melchor, Balthazar, and Gaspar.

Koln Cathedral is also Germany’s most-visited tourist destination with 20,000 people visitors every day.

In 1996, UNESCO declared Cologne Cathedral a World Heritage Site.

Before you enter, appreciate the detailed religious statues at the main doors.

When you are inside, don’t forget to admire the marvelous art of stained glass windows.

And if you are healthy enough, challenge yourself to climb the stairs all the way to the top!

Related Post: Inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
Related Post: Inside Duomo Milano in Italy

Where to Stay in Cologne

I stayed at Hostel die Wohngemeinschaft. You can book it via Booking.com, Expedia, and HostelWorld. 

Though it is around 30-40 minutes walk to the Cathedral, I love it here because the beds are comfortable. Each bunk had its own curtains so you could have your own privacy. It’s clean, and the staff members are friendly. I was even allowed to check in early because the bed/room was already available. Or maybe, they just saw my tired eyes, and I really needed a rest. 😀 Since the hostel is around the university area, cheap bars are on every corner. There are a host of restaurants and grocery stores, too.