The Cologne Cathedral, one of the most celebrated and impressive monuments of Catholicism, marked the 775th anniversary of the laying of its foundation stone.
Newsroom (08/16/2023 13:00, Gaudium Press) On August 15, 1248, the cornerstone for the construction of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany was laid. This year, the completion of 775 years since the commencement of its construction is being observed. The initiative for building this cathedral was undertaken by the Archbishop of that era, Dom Konrad von Hochstaden. He aimed to establish a new church to house the relics of the Three Wise Men.
In 1164, Dom Rainald von Dassel, the predecessor of von Hochstaden, brought the Three Wise Men’s relics from Milan to the Rhine. Dom von Hochstaden’s aspiration was to replace the old Carolingian cathedral of Hildebold with a new one. For this purpose, he called upon Master Gerhard, one of the most skilled builders of the time.
Commencement of Construction
Master Gerhard drew inspiration from the recent Gothic cathedrals in Paris, Reims, and Amiens, which represented a novel architectural style. The work advanced effectively under the guidance of the master builder. However, unfortunately, Master Gerhard met his demise after falling from the cathedral’s scaffolding.
In 1271, Master Arnold succeeded him in his role. From then onwards, the construction of the cathedral progressed through the years, decades, and even centuries.
In 1528, the construction came to a standstill for a period of 300 years. Various factors, including financial constraints, contributed to this interruption. Consequently, the cathedral remained devoid of its renowned towers for 350 years.
Resumption of Construction
During this hiatus, the cathedral was temporarily repurposed as an armoury for Napoleon’s troops in 1794. It wasn’t until 1842 that Kaiser Frederick William IV laid a new cornerstone, symbolizing the revival of construction on the cathedral.
Finally, on October 15, 1880, the towers were completed in alignment with Master Gerhard’s original design. For a few years, these towers held the title of being the world’s tallest. The dimensions of the “queen of cathedrals,” as it’s fondly referred to, are indeed grand. The towers stand at 157 meters in height, while the main nave of the edifice boasts a height of 43 meters, a length of 145 meters, and a width of 86 meters.
World War II and Ongoing Maintenance
During World War II, Cologne experienced nearly 70 bombings. The cathedral was struck by 14 bombs; however, it managed to sustain a relatively good condition. Approximately 30,000 bricks were utilized to restore the damaged sections. Many stained glass windows were replaced with plain glass during this period, later transitioning to more modern styles.
Even though construction concluded, the cathedral necessitates ongoing maintenance. The scaffolding employed by professionals for its upkeep has become a familiar sight in the city, creating an impression of a perpetual construction site. Few residents can recall a time when the cathedral was scaffold-free. In jest, the city’s inhabitants comment that on the day the cathedral is finally free of scaffolding… the world might finally come to an end. (FM)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
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