Katedralin yapımı neden 600 yıldan fazla sürdü?

İnşaat 1248'de başladı, 1473'te para bitince durdu ve vinç yüzyıllarca güney kulesinin üstünde kaldı. Çalışmalar romantik dönemde yeniden başlatıldı ve yapı ancak 1880'de, özgün ortaçağ planlarına sadık kalınarak tamamlandı.

İkinci Dünya Savaşı'nda nasıl ayakta kaldı?

Köln'ün merkezi neredeyse tamamen yıkılırken katedral 14 hava bombası aldı ama çökmedi. Bir görüşe göre yüksek kuleler bombardıman uçakları için değerli bir yön bulma işareti olduğundan bilinçli olarak hedef alınmadı.

İçindeki altın sanduka neden bu kadar önemli?

Üç Kral'ın kalıntılarını taşıdığına inanılan sanduka Batı'nın en büyük altın işçiliği eserlerinden biri. Ortaçağda Köln'ü büyük bir hac merkezi yapan da bu kalıntılardı; katedralin bu ölçekte planlanmasının nedeni doğrudan onlar.

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Cologne, Germany1-2 hoursMorning

Cologne Cathedral

UNESCO Gothic cathedral that survived WWII and dominates Cologne's skyline.

Ideal: Ideal for architecture, history, Gothic buildings, and city landmark lovers.

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Construction began in 1248; when funds ran out in 1560 the crane was left hanging above the tower and the site stood idle for three centuries. Work resumed in the 19th century when original medieval plans were rediscovered, and the building was completed in 1880 — for four years it was the world's tallest structure. During World War II the surrounding city was flattened while the cathedral remained standing despite more than fourteen direct bomb hits. The Shrine of the Three Kings inside is the largest gold reliquary in the Western world; 533 steps lead up the south tower.

Quick facts

Built: 1248
Opened: 15 October 1880
Architect: Andreas von Everdingen
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Height: 157 m
Length: 145 m

Facts from Wikidata, photos from Wikimedia Commons.

Did you know?

Why did the cathedral take more than 600 years to finish?

Building began in 1248 and stopped in 1473 when funds ran out, leaving a crane on the south tower for centuries. Work resumed in the Romantic era and the church was only completed in 1880, following the original medieval plans.

How did it survive the Second World War?

Central Cologne was almost flattened, yet the cathedral took 14 aerial bombs without collapsing. One view is that its towers were deliberately spared because they served as a valuable navigation landmark for bomber crews.

Why is the golden shrine inside so important?

The shrine said to hold the relics of the Three Kings is one of the largest works of goldsmithing in the West. Those relics turned medieval Cologne into a major pilgrimage destination — and are the direct reason the cathedral was planned on such a scale.