Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Cologne, Germany: Cologne Cathedral

Sometimes you have to have a little luck on your side - or a guardian angel - to get through tough times.

That's certainly the case for the magnificent Cologne Cathedral - technically, the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter.

Cologne was more or less wiped out at the end of World War II, but this building only suffered minor damage by Allied bombing (14 hits). Did the Allies go out of their way to try to save it? Hard to say, but it is still around to greet visitors.

Construction started on the Cathedral in 1273 and went on for about 200 years, when work came to a halt before it was finished. Then in the 1800s, work resumed and the building was finished in 1880.

In a continent filled with great churches, this one can hold up with anyone. Its age and details means that work is constantly taking place to keep it in good shape. When one section is done, the next needs attention. That scaffolding you see is not unusual.

About 20,000 people per day drop by for a visit, making it the top tourist attraction in Germany. The outside is amazing, and the inside is pretty good too.



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