Visit Cologne Cathedral in Germany
Stand beneath the twin spires of Cologne Cathedral and look up at one of the defining buildings of the city. The cathedral dominates the skyline beside the Rhine and Cologne’s main railway station, with an interior filled with soaring Gothic vaults, stained glass, chapels and centuries of religious art. Even among Europe’s great cathedrals, its scale is difficult to appreciate until you are directly underneath it. Construction began in 1248, partly to create a suitably monumental home for the Shrine of the Three Kings, and the cathedral was not finally completed until 1880. Despite that enormous gap, the finished building remained remarkably faithful to its medieval Gothic design. It survived heavy bombing during the Second World War and continues to function as an active Roman Catholic cathedral as well as a major historic monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry to the main cathedral is generally straightforward, but allow extra time if you want to climb the south tower, visit the treasury or explore the building properly rather than simply walking through. The tower climb involves hundreds of steps and is much more demanding than the rest of the visit. Dress respectfully, avoid disrupting services, and remember that this is first and foremost a working place of worship.