12 of 12 in December: A day at Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Updated on December 17, 2025 by Angelika Klein

This week, I'm on a UNESCO World Heritage and Christmas market tour. Yesterday, I visited Aachen Cathedral, and today I'm taking the train to Cologne.

Cologne Cathedral is one of Germany's most famous buildings – yet its significance often only becomes apparent at second glance. As UNESCO World Heritage Sites  it stands not only for monumental architecture, but also for the religious, political, and cultural history of Europe. For centuries, the cathedral has shaped the cityscape, made Cologne one of the most important pilgrimage centers of the Middle Ages, and remains a defining symbol of the city to this day.

This day trip to Cologne is the start of a new series in which I will gradually UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany I imagine – not as complete museum visits, but as personal snapshots, supplemented by historical background information and art-historical classification. Cologne Cathedral is particularly well suited for this: hardly any other monument combines so impressively medieval architecture, outstanding works of art and modern interventions such as Richter window.

1. Arrival at Cologne Cathedral – the west facade

My first glance falls on the monumental west facade of Cologne Cathedral with its two towers. With 157.38 meters The cathedral was 100 meters high after its completion in 1880 at times the tallest building in the world. The foundation stone was laid as early as 1248 laid, but construction dragged on—with a long interruption—for more than 600 years Since 1996 Cologne Cathedral belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site..

2. View from above – Cologne Triangle

I follow the advice of a friendly old lady I spoke to on the train and first walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge to the glass skyscraper with its visitor platform. The KölnTriangle on the right bank of the Rhine offers a magnificent view of Cologne. The Observation deck at a height of 100 meters is easily accessible by elevator. From here, you can see the cathedral's dominance over the cityscape particularly well: it still towers over the entire old town and is visible from almost every direction in the city.

3. Cathedral, Rhine, and city panorama

On the way back, I stop to take some photos at the Hohenzollern Bridge viewpoint. The view shows Cologne from its classic side: the cathedral, the old town, the Rhine, and the boats. The Rhine has been one of Europe's most important transport routes since Roman times—Cologne was already an important trading center and archbishopric in the Middle Ages.

4. Love locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge

The Hohenzollern Bridge is famous for its Thousands of love locks. Estimates suggest over 500,000 locks weighing several hundred tons. The bridge itself dates back to the early 20th century and is now one of the busiest railway bridges in Germany—with a direct view of the cathedral.

5. The high choir – the heart of the cathedral

Ten minutes before the cathedral tour begins, participants receive headphones and audio devices to wear around their necks so that our guide does not have to speak so loudly in the cathedral and we can still understand everything. At 3:30 p.m. sharp, we walk past the cathedral guards and enter the cathedral.

The high choir of Cologne Cathedral was already 1322 consecrated and is the oldest completed part of the Gothic cathedral. With its tall tracery windows and clear focus on light, it is considered one of the most significant examples of French-influenced High Gothic north of the Alps. With the Wreath of 14 chapels was deliberately modeled on French cathedrals such as Amiens or Reims tied up.

6. The Shrine of the Three Kings

The Shrine of the Three Kings is the most important medieval work of art in Cologne Cathedral—and one of the most significant reliquaries of the Middle Ages. It was built around 1180–1225 created and contains the Relics of the Three Kings, Archbishop Rainald von Dassel 1164 from Milan to Cologne. This shrine alone made Cologne one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe during the Middle Ages.

7. The Agilolphus Altar – 16th-century Antwerp woodcarving

The Altar of Agilolphus is a Antwerp carved altar from the early 16th century (to 1520/1521). It originally comes from Cologne's collegiate church. St. Mary at Gradus, which was demolished in the 19th century, and ended up 1817 in Cologne Cathedral. With its rich array of finely carved wooden figures, the altar is one of the most significant Antwerp altarpieces in Germany and is a prime example of the highly developed sacred art of the late Gothic period.

8. The Gerokreuz

The Gerokreuz is considered the Oldest monumental crucifix north of the Alps. It was created around 970 and marks a turning point in the depiction of Christ: for the first time, he is shown not as a triumphant victor, but as a suffering human being. This cross had a major influence on European art history.

9. The floor mosaic

It's worth taking a look down: the floor mosaic from the 19th century With a total area of 1,350 square meters, it is the largest work of art in Cologne Cathedral. My image shows Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, which floats above the August 15, 1248 laid the foundation stone for Cologne Cathedral. He is holding the cathedral's floor plan in his hands. The ceramic stones for the mosaic were made by Villeroy & Boch manufactured – a beautiful detail of industrial history, in my opinion.

10. The Milan Madonna

The Milan Madonna is a Gothic wooden sculpture from the early 14th century. It probably arrived in Cologne from Milan together with the relics of the Three Kings. The depiction of Mary is strikingly lifelike and human—a typical feature of Gothic sculpture.

11. The Richter window in the south transept

The stained glass window in the south transept was 2007 based on a design by Gerhard Richter used. It consists of 11,263 hand-blown glass panes in 72 colors. The abstract window was initially controversial, but is now considered an important example of contemporary art in a historical space. Depending on the time of day, the play of colors changes with the incidence of light. The original window was destroyed during the war and replaced with colorless glazing in 1948.

12th Christmas Market at the Cathedral – Closing ceremony with sparkling lights

At the end of the day, we visit the Christmas market at the cathedral. The huge Christmas tree and the light tent create a special atmosphere—especially in front of the cathedral illuminated at night. An atmospheric contrast between medieval world heritage and modern urban culture before heading back to Aachen.

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Conclusion: World Heritage between history and the present day

A visit to Cologne Cathedral impressively demonstrates why it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, Over 1,200 years of church history, medieval high art and contemporary design directly. From the Shrine of the Three Kings to the Gero Cross to the abstract stained glass window by Gerhard Richter, a broad arc spans European art and cultural history.

Especially when viewed in conjunction with the city—the Rhine, the bridges, the modern Cologne Triangle, and the bustling Christmas market—it becomes clear that the cathedral is not an isolated monument, but a building that remains firmly anchored in everyday life to this day. This first part of my UNESCO series is intended to encourage you to take a closer look at places you may think you already know, but whose history and significance only really become apparent at second glance.