Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is the soaring Gothic landmark of Cologne, Germany, and one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Its twin spires rise about 157 m (515 ft) right next to the main train station, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Begun in 1248 and finished only in 1880, it houses the golden Shrine of the Three Kings. Since July 2026, sightseeing visits require a ticket, so plan ahead.

Where it is and how to get there

The cathedral stands in the heart of Cologne, in western Germany, directly beside Köln Hauptbahnhof (central station). Step out of the station and you are on the cathedral square within two minutes, which makes it one of the easiest major sights in Germany to reach.

• From Frankfurt: high-speed ICE trains reach Cologne in roughly an hour, an easy day trip.
• From Düsseldorf or Bonn: frequent regional trains, covered by the Deutschlandticket.
• From Cologne Bonn Airport: direct trains run to the central station.

Driving into the city center is not worth the stress. Paid parking garages exist, but traffic is heavy, and the train is far simpler.

Six centuries in the making

The foundation stone was laid on August 15, 1248. The cathedral was meant to house the relics of the Three Kings (the Magi), brought to Cologne in 1164. Construction stalled in the 16th century, and for roughly 300 years a half-built tower with a medieval crane on top defined the skyline. Work resumed in 1842, fueled by 19th-century German national enthusiasm, and the cathedral was completed in 1880. For a few years it was the tallest building in the world, until the Washington Monument overtook it in 1884.

During World War II the cathedral was hit by 14 aerial bombs but remained standing amid the ruined city. Restoration work never really stops; you will almost always spot scaffolding somewhere.

What to see inside

• Shrine of the Three Kings: a gilded reliquary made between about 1190 and 1225, behind the high altar.
• Gero Cross: a 10th-century crucifix, among the oldest large crucifixes in Europe.
• Richter Window: Gerhard Richter's 2007 window of about 11,500 colored glass squares in the south transept.
• The nave: more than 43 m (142 ft) high inside.
• The Treasury: medieval reliquaries, vestments and liturgical objects in historic vaults.
• The tower climb: 533 steps up the south tower to a viewing platform about 100 m (330 ft) above the city, passing the 24-ton St. Peter's Bell. There is no elevator.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, prices are:

• Cathedral interior: €12, reduced €6
• Tower or Treasury: €8 each, reduced €4
• Combined Tower + Treasury: €12, reduced €6
• Free: children 13 and under, visitors with a severe disability plus one companion

Book online up to three months ahead or buy at the ticket office at Roncalliplatz 2. Entry for prayer and services remains free through the north portal.

Sightseeing hours are roughly 10 am to 5:45 pm Monday to Saturday and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Sundays and church holidays. The tower is open 9 am to 6 pm from March to October and 9 am to 4 pm from November to February; the treasury is open daily 10 am to 6 pm. Visits pause during services. Public guided tours in English are offered through the DOMFORUM visitor center opposite the main entrance.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes. Even with the new admission fee, this is one of Europe's great cathedrals, and the scale of the interior is overwhelming. Allow about an hour inside, plus 30 to 45 minutes for the tower. Men are asked to remove hats, and eating, drinking and phone calls are not allowed. The interior and treasury are wheelchair accessible; the tower is not.

Afterward, walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge for the classic view back over the Rhine, or explore the Roman-Germanic Museum and Museum Ludwig next door.