Cologne

Cologne is Germany's fourth most populous city and home to the famous Cologne Cathedral, the tallest cathedral in the world.

Construction on the Cathedral began in 1248, but it was not completed until 1880.

The Cathedral houses the reliquary of the Three Kings, looted from Milan by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1164.

Work on the belfry ceased in 1473; the tallest structure in Cologne was a crane left on the tower for 400 years. Though the German Empire was ruled by Protestant Prussians, they completed the Cathedral in the late 1800s as a symbol of German nationalism.

The good doggos of Gottfried Graf von Arnsberg, from 1371

The Shine of the Three Kings

The Cathedral's treasury is housed under the building, including an Electoral Sword of Cologne from the 1500s.

A Processional Cross with plates made in Limoges, France during the 1200s.

The 1200s had some unfortunate aesthetics.

Grave goods from the 500s found at the site of the Cathedral

Would you drink out of this fountain?

St. Anthony tormented by Demons, 1520

Even the audioguide mascots in Germany are gross.

Great St. Martin Church was built on top of a Roman chapel, and mostly completed during 1150-1250.

It has some fun restored mosaics on the floor.

When we visited there was a terrible storm outside and the Church was completely empty.

Moo

The crypt, with Roman ruins

Cologne Cathedral still dominates the skyline in the city.

It looks pretty spooky at night.

Off to the next place!