COLOGNE, GERMANY!

We made the 2 hour drive to Cologne to see the famous Cologne Cathedral and it was worth the drive!  This is the most visited landmark in all of Germany...20,000 visitors a day! Construction began in 1248 and stopped  in 1473 although it was not finished.  Construction recommenced in 1842 and was finished in 1880.  This Gothic style cathedral is 474' long, 284' wide, and the tower is 515' tall.

Notice the details on the front door:

There was a prayer service going on when we entered...the guard asked us if we wanted to pray.  We said yes so we got to enter he chapel and hear the magnificent organ.

On one side of the Cathedral the windows were religious while 

on the other side the figures were political.

This is an alter piece that was just returned to the cathedral after 

20 years of restoration work---the figures are carved wood.

The most important relic of the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings.

It is said to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men.  Thousands of people 

would make a pilgrimage to see this shrine

This is an example of the many shrines in the cathedral.

The side of the Cathedral:

Another day of touring Germany...next Wurtzburg and Rothenburg!