At a glance
Location
Köln
Category
Attractions & experiences , Cologne Cathedral
| Location | Köln |
|---|---|
| Category | Attractions & experiences , Cologne Cathedral |
Cologne Cathedral is a building of superlatives that is the centre and hallmark of this city on the Rhine. The cornerstone of this Gothic cathedral was laid on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on 15 August 1248. The previous building was apparently no longer deemed impressive enough to house the remains of the Three Wise Men, which Archbishop Rainald von Dassel had brought to Cologne from Milan after the latter city was conquered in 1164. Because of these relics, the cathedral became one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. Its two massive towers have dominated the city’s skyline since their completion in 1880. At 157.38 metres, the northern tower is 7cm taller than the southern one.
Today the cathedral is Cologne’s second-tallest structure, surpassed only by the telecommunications tower. The cathedral covers almost 8,000 square metres of floor space and can hold more than 20,000 people. Due to the building’s impressive Gothic architecture, the shrine of the Three Wise Men, the outstanding stained-glass windows and the many other important works of art, UNESCO declared Cologne Cathedral a World Heritage Site in 1996.
Today the cathedral is Cologne’s second-tallest structure, surpassed only by the telecommunications tower. The cathedral covers almost 8,000 square metres of floor space and can hold more than 20,000 people. Due to the building’s impressive Gothic architecture, the shrine of the Three Wise Men, the outstanding stained-glass windows and the many other important works of art, UNESCO declared Cologne Cathedral a World Heritage Site in 1996.
Service & contact
Cologne Cathedral
Plan journey Dompropstei Margarethenkloster 5
50667 Köln
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0) 221 179 40-100
Fax: +49 (0) 221 1642 1700
Open interactive map
Informations
- Eligibility
- Bad Weather Offer
- Suitable for any weather
- Suitable for Pushchair
- Other Furnishing/Equipment
- Barrier-free access
- Openings
Opening hours daily:Weekday Time of day Monday - Sunday 06:00 to 21:00
November - April 6.00 a.m. - 19.30 p.m.
May - October 6.00 a.m. - 21.00 p.m.
Visits on Sundays and public holidays
1:00, 4:30.
During church services during the day and special events no sightseeing is possible! Information on this can be found in the calendar of services on the homepage of the Cologne Cathedral.
Please understand that due to important events there may be unforeseen partial closures of the interior at short notice.
The ascent of the tower:
January - February 9.00 - 16.00 o'clock
March - April 9.00 - 17.00 o'clock
May - September 9.00 - 18.00 o'clock
October 9.00 - 17.00 o'clock
November - December 9.00 - 16.00 o'clock
Last ascent 30 minutes before closing time - Price info A visit to Cologne Cathedral is free of charge.
Admission fees for the ascent of the tower:
Adults EUR 4,00
Family ticket EUR 8,00
reduced (pupils, students, disabled persons with ID) EUR 2,00
Combined ticket treasure chamber / tower ascent EUR 8.00
Combined ticket treasure chamber / tower ascent reduced EUR 4.00
combi-ticket family Schatzkammer / tower ascent/ EUR 16,00
(Entrance outside, to the right of the main entrance) - Directions Cologne Cathedral is very easy to reach by car and public transport (Dom/Hbf stop). It is located in the immediate vicinity of the main railway station and can be seen from afar due to its size. During church services and special events, no sightseeing is possible! Please understand that due to important events there may be partial closures inside the building.
- More info General information about guided tours in the Cologne Cathedral of the Metropolitan Chapter of the High Cathedral Church in Cologne:
All guided tours in Cologne Cathedral are subject to registration and may only be conducted by authorised or registered cathedral guides. Private individuals, groups or travel companies must therefore book a group tour of Cologne Cathedral either via Köln Tourismus or DOMFORUM. For individual visitors, the cathedral is - as before - freely accessible outside the hours of worship.
The guided tours will be distributed according to the scheduled tour times. The total number of guided tours is limited to 10 per hour and the group size to a maximum of 25 persons per group.
In addition, all personally guided groups must be equipped with group guidance systems. These are audio radio systems in which each listener receives a small receiver and headphones to which the tour is transmitted via microphone. Different frequencies make it possible for several groups to be guided at the same time and in the smallest of spaces without interference. On the one hand, the aim is an acoustic calming of the church room, which should help to protect the interests of visitor groups and believers alike. On the other hand, this technology makes it easier for participants to understand the explanations on site in the cathedral.
A cathedral fee is charged per group and an additional rental fee per person is to be paid for each group tour system borrowed. Groups that may already have group management systems with them must pay a flat-rate fee. Children and youth groups, on the other hand, receive the group tour system free of charge. Children's groups also only have to use a group tour system from the 5th school year onwards.