Cologne Cathedral (Cologne Day 3) – 30 July 2012
Ralph here again. Monday we headed to the Cologne Cathedral again and were finally able to tour it. It is very difficult to describe with words just how immense it is: in physical size, in intricate detail, in the volume of random religious artwork. [It has the largest front of any cathedral in the world. It towers over the surrounding buildings.] The Cologne Cathedral is a result of 600 years of progressive building and as a result, it does not have the relative simplicity that I am used to seeing in church buildings. [It was built according to the original design. Work was stalled on several occasions.] We both would sit down and discover a theme within the cathedral that was completely unnoticed before. So instead of talking I’ll just give a lot of pictures:
[The stained glass in this location was broken in WWII and replaced with plain glass. The stained glass above was put in in 2007. The archbishop did not attend the unveliing as he had desired a more traditional design.]
[A floor mosiac]
restoration work is never finished
the golden shrine on the altar is supposed to hold the remains of the Magi. I really doubt that the bones of Arabian mystics ended up in northern Germany via Italy, but who knows
another view of the Magi shrine
[One of the oldest large crucifixes. It was commissioned in 960.]
Additionally, we walked up one of the towers, nearly to the top. It was clearly not designed for tourists, as it is one very narrow stone spiral staircase going up 500 feet. Additionally, it goes up in a clockwise manner so by walking on the right, as you are going up you have the narrow part of the stair. Not good for claustrophobics. Additionally, a rainstorm whipped up while we were walking up, meaning we were getting whipped with wind and rain when we arrived at the observation levels. Quite a view from the belfry (about 2/3 of the way up) and the top, though:
[Another gothic cathedral only a block away.]
[Right in the middle of this photo is our hotel.]
[We toured the Cathedral Treasury. It was mostly made up of chalices, bishops’ rings, crucifixes, ornate staffs as well as priestly vestments. These are still in use during some Sundays. Photos weren’t allowed so we have none. The treasury used to be much more impressive but many of the riches had to be turned over when the chuch was secularized. Then it was robbed in the 1970’s. It still seemed substantial. Additionally, you could see some remains of the Roman wall there.]
[We also went down into the crypt. Other than the funky smell, it wasn’t that interesting. Photo below.]
After we were done at the Cathedral, we had a 5-hour drive to Berlin ahead of us. So we loaded into the rental car and hit the Autobahn for the long drive across northern Germany.
Our Random Travels 
Good things you guys are in such good shape to have made the climb up the tower, especially under such adverse conditions. Love reading about your trip, it brings back lots of memories. So glad you are enjoying yourselves.
We read on a reveiw prior to going that climbing the tower was not recommended for the elderly or obese. We thought it was little harsh but accurate. It could have been worse though. There were several places, mostly doorways, to stop and rest if needed.
great photos
Thanks. We took many photos so we had lots to choose from.