Exterior of the Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany |
Cologne Cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the second-tallest spires. The most celebrated work of art in the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings. It is traditionally believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men. Cologne, Germany |
Cologne Cathedral - The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the second-tallest spires. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world. Cologne, Germany |
Construction of Cologne Cathedral commenced in 1248 and was halted in 1473, leaving it unfinished. Work restarted in the 19th century and was completed, to the original plan, in 1880. Cologne, Germany |
Gargoyles were attached to the gutters on Gothic cathedrals in order to divert rain water as far away from the building as possible. The gargoyles on Cologne Cathedral are particularly imaginative: the exterior of the cathedral is dotted with gargoyles in the shape of devils, animals, and demonic chimeras. Cologne, Germany |
Gargoyles were attached to the gutters on Gothic cathedrals in order to divert rain water as far away from the building as possible. The gargoyles on Cologne Cathedral are particularly imaginative: the exterior of the cathedral is dotted with gargoyles in the shape of devils, animals, and demonic chimeras. Cologne, Germany |
Gargoyles were attached to the gutters on Gothic cathedrals in order to divert rain water as far away from the building as possible. The gargoyles on Cologne Cathedral are particularly imaginative: the exterior of the cathedral is dotted with gargoyles in the shape of devils, animals, and demonic chimeras. Cologne, Germany |
Gargoyles were attached to the gutters on Gothic cathedrals in order to divert rain water as far away from the building as possible. The gargoyles on Cologne Cathedral are particularly imaginative: the exterior of the cathedral is dotted with gargoyles in the shape of devils, animals, and demonic chimeras. Cologne, Germany |
The Cologne Cathedral is the most visited landmark in Germany. Cologne, Germany |
A close up of a portal on the front, or west façade, of the Cologne Cathedral. Cologne, Germany |
The front, or west façade, of the Cologne Cathedral has three portals. Each has statues fanning out from the doors, a tympanum with scenes from the featured subject and archivolts (ornamental moldings surrounding the arched opening) with mini scenes in them. The center portal has two doors with Mary as the main figure, with the tympanum and archivolts above her. Cologne, Germany |
A close up of the center portal on the front, or west façade, of the Cologne Cathedral. Cologne, Germany |
Statues surrounding the center portal on the front, or west façade, of the Cologne Cathedral. Cologne, Germany |
Barb and Steve in from of the center portal at the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany |
Exterior statues on the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany |
The nave looking east in the Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany |
The nave looking east in the Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany |
Cologne Cathedral - An altarpiece adorning one of the many in the cathedral. Cologne, Germany |
Cologne Cathedral - The entire floor of the Cologne Cathedral is covered by mosaic dating from the 19th Century. Cologne, Germany |
Cologne Cathedral - The most precious work of art in the cathedral, which inspired this enormous building, is the Shrine of the Three Kings, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar in a golden sarcophagi studded with jewels, holding the crowned skulls and bones of the three wise men who followed the star to visit the infant Jesus. |