Cologne Cathedral

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 10 March 2008 in Architecture.

Did you know...

- that the Cologne Cathdral has a house number? Its full address is "Domplatz 4", established during the French occupation 1792-1815.
- that it is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary?
- that construction works started in 1248, were stopped in the 16th century and, after finding the original plans, it was completed in 1880?
- that it was the world's tallest building from 1880 to 1890?

Download my coffee-table book of selected postings here. Enjoy!

Comments (16)

Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa

How awesome! Why can't we build structures like this today?

10 Mar 2008 7:05am

@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 from Vacaville, California, United States

A wonderful shot!!!

10 Mar 2008 11:27am

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

Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia

It is a very dramatic structure and I like your capture of the arches. The information you present also is very interesting.

10 Mar 2008 5:09pm

@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 from White Hall, United States

Amazing as usual! I am drawn to the person's face at the bottom center/right of the photo. Her head tilt and the way the light catches her face is very dramatic.

10 Mar 2008 5:48pm

@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 from san francisco, United States

wow. my pictures here certainly did not come out like this.

10 Mar 2008 6:43pm

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

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

What a magnificent Cathedral, I have stood outside of this beautiful building, but we didn't have the time to go inside. Beautifully captured MS.
And I found the information fascinating too.

10 Mar 2008 8:04pm

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

Porcsin from Debrecen, Hungary

Oh, I like that tall picture!
We can see a special composition! It is a new way to show the most part of the churches!
Thanks!

10 Mar 2008 10:52pm

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

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

Wow that was a long construction, as usual the detail of the work is amazing.

11 Mar 2008 2:00am

@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 from Alpharetta, United States

Awesome perspective

11 Mar 2008 2:40am

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

alexdpx from Manila, Philippines

Lovely photo. The perspective made the vaulted ceiling look even higher. Thank you for the nice comments and for being a regular in my blog.

11 Mar 2008 3:58am

@alexdpx: You're welcome! :-)

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

You found such an angle to make it look even higher than it is! Impressive! But also...crushing!

11 Mar 2008 3:53pm

@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 from Chicagoland, United States

What a very interesting POV. It gives the feeling of a tall and somewhat "confining" space. But a great job on capturing the details all the way back to the patterns of the stained glass windows in the rear.

11 Mar 2008 4:21pm

@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 from Wuppertal, Germany

Irgendwann musste das ja mal kommen ;-) Habe mich bisher noch nicht drangewagt!
Eigentlich ein "must-shoot"!

11 Mar 2008 4:46pm

@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 :-)