Cologne Cathedral
Kölner Dom
A Gothic cathedral that took 632 years to complete. Its 157-metre twin towers were once the tallest buildings in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cologne Cathedral was founded in 1248 and was not completed until 1880. It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1996. The two spires are about 157 metres high, and the central nave is 43 metres high. Behind the high altar is the golden Shrine of the Three Kings, which is said to hold the relics of the Three Wise Men from the East. It is considered the peak of medieval goldsmithing. On the south transept, the 'Richter Window' by artist Gerhard Richter is made of 11,263 coloured glass squares. You can climb the south tower's roughly 533 spiral stone steps to a viewing platform about 100 metres high, with views over the Rhine and the Hohenzollern Bridge. An important change: from July 1, 2026, visitors must buy a visit ticket for EUR 12 (EUR 6 concessions, free for children under 14). The ticket covers the cathedral interior, the Treasury and the tower climb. Only people coming to pray, attend Mass or light candles can enter for free through the north door. The cathedral is free on some holidays (check the official website). Opening hours are generally Monday to Saturday 10:00–17:45, and Sunday and religious holidays about 13:30–16:30. It is right outside Cologne Central Station.
Opening hours
Visitor hours approx. Mon–Sat 10:00–17:45; Sun 13:30–16:30
Nearby sights
- Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral
- Früh am Dom
- Museum Ludwig
- Cologne City Hall
- Farina Fragrance Museum
- Wallraf-Richartz Museum
- Cologne Old Town & Great St. Martin
- Kolumba