When I first saw the cathedral, I was amazed. I didn't know whether I liked it or not; its grandeur is overwhelming, yet its sense of gloominess, so typical in Gothic architecture, creates an almost disappointing first impression.

Inside, its high walls, sculpture details, and brilliant altarpiece impressed me beyond words, although I have to admit that at the time I concentrated more on avoiding suffocation by the crowd of at least 2,000 people that were in there with me, seeing as it was World Youth Day.

By the end of the week, I had grown very fond of the Dom Cathedral. My view of it was sort of like a small child's amazement towards a seemingly huge and scary uncle or grandfather. The Dom's size and architectural features, such as the flying buttresses and the high, pointed towers, quickly allowed me to perceive the beauty behind its medieval darkness. The enormous flag-bearing crowds that surrounded the cathedral day and night added to its wonder. Furthermore, it inspired me to take a Fine Art History class this year to learn more about art and architecture.

I sincerely recommend this historical site, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, to everyone!

The Gothic-style cathedral is the most recognizable symbol of the City of Cologne and its most famous landmark. Its spires are 157 meters (515 feet) tall. Its location has been a religious site from pre-Roman times. It was the world’s tallest structure until 1884. It still is the tallest Gothic style structure in the world and features the largest church façade on the planet.

Begun in 1248, it took more than 600 years to complete. It was finally finished and consecrated in 1880, after no new work had been done for 320 years. It was intended to house the relics of the three Magi. We make a point of seeing their Sarcophagus, supposedly holding the remains of the Three Wise Men. As you can see in the photos there is scaffolding on parts of the church. Evidently, it is almost never free from some kind of repair work because of the constant erosion of the stones.

It was badly damaged during WWII but reconstructed by 1956. I believe it is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

The Cathedral is closed to visitors during services unless you are part of an official tour sponsored by the Domforum, the Cathedral Visitor Center, located across the Square from the Cathedral. The Domforum provides a lot of information not only about the Cathedral but also Cologne City. It also offers a multimedia presentation in English or Deutsch, which Pam and I attend. Light refreshments are sold, and there are ample numbers of tables and chairs for relaxation and study.

In addition to the main church itself, visitors can access the treasury with its relics and artifacts. Visitors can also scale the 509 steps to an observation platform near the top of the South Tower. There is a small charge for both of these activities. Pam and I accessed the Treasury but passed on climbing to the top of the tower. I regret we didn’t do that, but I thought I had to conserve my energy. I also rue missing the English language tour, but we cut it too close. There are only two per day, and it costs 13 euros with the usual concessions for students and seniors. We did okay on our own, though.

A truly amazing experience, the cathedral is a must-see for anyone visiting Cologne or the local area.