Cologne Wasn't Built in a Day

Cologne Cathedral is the second tallest church in Europe after Ulm Minster. After 632 years of construction, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. In the 16th century, the construction was interrupted due to the Reformation and the Thirty Years’ War and was not resumed until the 19th century, when Prussia annexed the Rhineland and Cologne became part of its state.

The Protestant Reformation was a religious reform movement sweeping through Europe in the 15 century. Martin Luther published the “95 Theses” in 1517 and challenged the indulgence system, which allowed the selling of certificates of pardon for their sins. It resulted in the creation of Protestant, a branch of Christianity separating from the Roman Catholic Church.

Construction work began when the Archbishop of Cologne brought the supposed bones of the Three Wise Men from Milan to Cologne in 1164, who brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. A shrine with gold figures, stone trimmings and a pictorial history was made for these bones. Visitors can still view the shrine in the interior of the Cathedral.

The Archbishop of Cologne was one of the seven imperial prince-electors, known as Kurfürsten in German, starting from the 13 century. A small group of prince-electors gained the privilege of electing the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. It inherited the ancient practice when the Germanic tribes formed ad hoc coalitions and elected their leaders.

Konrad von Hochstaden was the Archbishop from 1238 to 1261. He sold his vote to Richard of Cornwall, brother of Henry III of England, and crowned him at Aachen in 1257. Among the 124 ancient sculptures in the City Hall, a figure depicts a man in the process of autofellating under the sculpture of Konrad, which may be a criticism of his immorality or disorder.

Today, Cologne is no longer conservative as it used to be. Citizens are known for their jove de vivre. Immerse in the traditional vibe of Cologne Carnival or the rebellious vibe of Cologne Pride. Dress up as elegantly as you can under the spread of Cologne fragrance in the Hohe Strasse. Or simply grab the Kölsch beer and Schweinshaxe in the beer halls of the Altstadt.