Cologne Cathedral

@Ina: Depends. If you consider that it has been brought to completion in 1880, I'd say that it isn't too long ago. Churches that are hundred years old often are built in Neo-Gothic or Neo-Romanesque style. The question is, whether anybody nowadays would like and accept a huge building (especially a religious one) that would quote architecture of former centuries - and who would pay for this? Public home-builders of today are expected to use today's architectural language and it would be quite subversive if they would build a house with Gothic elements. I don't know anybody who would dare doing so, maybe this is the last taboo of our times :-)

@Craig: Did I ever tell that I need a wide-angle-lens? :-)

@Michael Skorulski: I really love this place. We've been there on a saturday and it was surprisingly crowded. So I just sat down and did a few shots, this is one of the better ones :-)
The history of this cathedral is indeed quite chequered and it was running into danger of becoming a torso like the 'Duomo nuovo' in Siena. Fortunately, this didn't happen! :-)

@Tracey: When I made this photo I wasn't aware of her - only when I saw her on the screen I found her quite pleasing :-)
You'll like tomorrow's image: it's a window!

@lucie: Never mind, I'm posting just the good ones here :-)

@MaryB: So you have an exciting to-do for your next travel to Germany :-) Glad you like it, this cathedral still amazes me!

@Porcsin: *lol* No witchcraft here: just sit down, relax and have a steady hand :-D

@JoeB: Thanks Joe! Some months ago the last blank gap in the facade (a remaining defect from WWII) has been repaired - things are moving slowly here :-)

@Jen: Thanks, Jen! When in Germany, just drop in and see for yourself :-)

@alexdpx: You're welcome! :-)

@Japanalia: Well, this is Gothic architecture to the utmost. Being a copy of the heavenly Jerusalem, this church isn't considerate of human scale. I find this refreshing and astonishing whenever I'm there.

@Steven: Thank you! Indeed, this is a very narrow place, much higher than broad, and, as I've written in response to Japanalia's comment, Gothic architecture to the utmost. The spacial impression is just overwhelming and your glance of the eye immediately goes upwards. Very exciting!

@Michael: Das sagt der Portraitfotograf von London! Von Wuppertal nach Kölle mit dem Regionalexpress dauert ne halbe Stunde! Kommen, kucken, knipsen :-D
Vorsicht: der Besichtigungsturm hat (wenn ich mich recht erinnere) 800 Stufen :-)

@SPunkt: Danke! :-)

@Twelvebit: ...and some post-processing :-) But is was indeed a bright day, then.

@drphoto: My pleasure! Thanks, Dan!