A Gothic colossus that took 632 years to complete — Europe's most visited landmark.
The Kölner Dom is an almost incomprehensible feat of human ambition. Construction began in 1248 and wasn't completed until 1880. Standing 157 meters tall, it was the world's tallest structure when finished.
Inside, the Shrine of the Three Kings — the largest reliquary in Europe — has drawn pilgrims for 800 years. The stained glass windows, particularly Gerhard Richter's controversial 2007 abstract window of 11,500 colored glass squares, bridge the medieval and the modern.
Climb the 533 steps of the south tower for a panoramic view of the Rhine and the city. On the way down, you'll pass the massive bells — the Petersglocke, at 24 tons, is the world's largest free-swinging church bell.
Quick Facts
50.9413°N, 6.9583°E
~200K
on foot
The view from the Hohenzollern Bridge at night, with the cathedral lit up, is the most photographed scene in Germany.