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Cathedral · Colônia, Renânia do Norte-Vestfália
Kölner Dom
Gothic cathedral with 157-metre towers, begun in 1248 and completed in 1880, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses the reliquary of the Three Kings and has a walk-up to a platform in the south tower.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Kölner Dom
The Kölner Dom is the Catholic cathedral of Colônia, dedicated to Saint Peter, and one of the largest Gothic churches in the world. The two towers of the facade reach 157 metres. Construction began in 1248, stopped for centuries and was only completed in 1880, following the medieval designs. Since 1996 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cathedral was conceived as a great reliquary for the remains attributed to the Three Kings, kept in a golden reliquary behind the high altar, the Dreikönigenschrein. Inside, the stained-glass windows, the choir stalls and the height of the nave stand out. In the Second World War the surrounding city was devastated by bombing and the cathedral, though hit, remained standing; repairing the damage took decades.
Tourist visits to the interior require a ticket, bought online or at the box office, and take place outside mass times. Those who just want to pray or light a candle may enter free of charge through the north portal, on the station side. There is a security check at the entrance and wheeled suitcases and large backpacks are not allowed, only handbags and small backpacks.
The climb to the south tower has 533 steps, all by staircase, first a spiral stair and then a metal stair, up to the platform about 100 metres high. On the way you pass the bell chamber. The tower is closed on some Carnival days, on 11 November and on certain Christmas and New Year dates.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour for the interior. The climb to the tower takes roughly 1 additional hour, with breaks.
Best time
Right at the opening of visitor access in the morning there are fewer groups. On Sundays and religious holidays visits are restricted to the afternoon. For the tower, prefer dry days: the platform is open-air. The tower closes earlier from November to February.
How to get there
It adjoins the central station, Köln Hauptbahnhof: just exit via the main exit and climb the steps to the cathedral square. The Dom/Hbf station is underneath.
Tip
Buy the ticket for the interior and the tower on the official website before you go; there is a combined ticket for the tower and the treasury (Domschatzkammer). The climb is narrow and tiring: wear sneakers and don’t bring a large bag. Respect the masses: during services tourist circulation is halted.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Kölner Dom
Do you have to pay to enter the cathedral?
For a tourist visit inside, yes: a ticket is required. To pray, light a candle or attend mass, entry is free via the north portal.
Is there an elevator for the tower climb?
No. It’s 533 steps on foot to the platform, about 100 metres high. Anyone with knee or heart problems should consider carefully before climbing.
Can I enter with a backpack?
Only small backpacks and bags. Wheeled suitcases and large backpacks are not allowed, and the cathedral has no left-luggage facility. Use the lockers at the central station.
How long does the tower climb take?
Allow about 1 hour to go up, spend time on the platform and come down, plus queueing time on busy days.