20 Interesting Facts About Cologne Cathedral

One of the most famous cathedral complexes in the world is the magnificent Cologne Cathedral. Its construction, spanning centuries with interruptions, finally culminated in the creation of a unique architectural masterpiece that has no equal anywhere in the world.

Germany already attracts many tourists, but a significant number of them visit Cologne with one primary goal: to see this majestic building in person.

Facts About Cologne Cathedral

1. Long Construction Period: The construction of the cathedral began in the 13th century and continued intermittently until the 15th century, resuming in the 19th century.
2. Tallest Building: Upon completion, Cologne Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for four years.
3. Height: The pinnacle of its spire reaches 157 meters (515 feet).
4. Historical Site: The site of Cologne Cathedral was previously home to several early Christian temples during the Roman Empire.
5. Centuries of Incompletion: From the mid-15th to the mid-19th century, the cathedral stood incomplete for over 400 years.
6. Napoleon’s Soldiers: In the late 18th century, soldiers of Napoleon’s army used the cathedral to store hay for their horses.
7. Uneven Towers: The northern tower of the cathedral is 4 centimeters taller than the southern one, though this difference is imperceptible to the naked eye.
8. Massive Size: The cathedral covers an area of 7,914 square meters, and its windows span an even more impressive 10,000 square meters.
9. Bells: There are a total of 11 bells installed in the cathedral.
10. Construction Duration: The total time from the start to the completion of the cathedral’s construction was 632 years and 2 months.
11. Interior Space: The interior volume of Cologne Cathedral exceeds 400,000 cubic meters.
12. Maintenance Costs: The upkeep of the cathedral costs the city of Cologne over 10 million euros annually.
13. Foundation Weight: The weight of the cathedral’s foundation is roughly equal to the weight of the above-ground structure.
14. UNESCO Heritage Site: Since 1996, Cologne Cathedral has been officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
15. Official Name: The official name of the cathedral is “Cathedral of Saints Peter and Mary.”
16. Survived WWII: Although Cologne was almost completely destroyed by Allied bombings during World War II, the cathedral survived largely because pilots used it as a navigational landmark and avoided bombing it.
17. Environmental Impact: Located in Germany’s most industrialized region, the cathedral is constantly in need of minor repairs due to poor environmental conditions.
18. Cost of Construction: In today’s terms, the construction of Cologne Cathedral would have cost over 1 billion euros.
19. Gothic Grandeur: Cologne Cathedral is the tallest and largest Gothic cathedral in Germany.
20. World’s Largest Bell: The cathedral is home to the largest functioning bell in the world, weighing 24 tons. Reverently called “Peter,” it was cast in 1923.