Cologne
Cathedral
Near the left bank of the Rhine stands Cologne's towering landmark, the
Cathedral of St Peter and St Mary, a masterpiece of High Gothic
architecture and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Begun in 1248,
it was the most ambitious building project of the Middle Ages, but work
came to a halt at the beginning of the 16th C, and the cathedral was not
completed until 1842-80.
Old Town Hall
To the south of the Cathedral in Cologne stands the Old Town Hall (Altes
Rathaus), with a Renaissance portico. In the Hansasaal (Hanseatic Hall)
are Gothic figures of eight prophets and the nine "good heroes" (pagan,
Jewish and Christian). There is a carillon in the tower.
Altenberg Cathedral
6 km/4mi north of Cologne is Altenberg Cathedral (also known as the
Bergischer Dom), one of the finest examples of the Early Gothic of the
Rhineland (1255-1379). It has a richly furnished interior (Gothic stained
glass, tombs of princes and abbots, a beautiful "Annunciation"). Cologne Cathedral
Great
St Martin's Church (photo - right)
To the south of the Cologne Cathedral, close to the Rhine, stands the
church of Gross St Martin (consecrated 1172), with a massive tower over
the crossing, a trilobate choir and richly articulated walls.
Roman-Germanic Museum
On the south side of the Cathedral in Cologne is the Roman-Germanic Museum.
Exhibits of particular interest are the Dionysus Mosaic (second century
A.D.) and the 15 m/50ft high funerary monument of Poblicius (first century
A.D.), both of which were discovered in the course of excavations in the
city. The museum also displays other mosaics, Roman glass, domestic
pottery and sculpture, and much else besides. The Treasury contains Roman
and Germanic gold jewelry.
St Gereon's Church
To the northwest of the Arsenal in Cologne is St Gereon's, the city's most
unusual Romanesque church, with a long choir (11th C.) built on to a ten-sided
domed structure dating from Roman times (enlarged in 1227).
St Maria in the Capitol
Near the south end of the Hohe Strasse in Cologne is the church of St
Maria im Kapitol (11th-13th C.), built on the site of a Roman temple. In
the nave are two beautifully carved early medieval doors (1050-65). Under
the choir is a large crypt.
St Pantaleon's Church
In the extreme southwest of the central area in Cologne stands the church
of St Pantaleon (10th-17th C.; restored), with the tomb of the Empress
Theophano (d. 991), wife of Otto II.
St Severinus's Church
A little way north of the Severinstor in Cologne is the well-restored
church of St Severinus (11th-15th C.), with an interesting Roman and
Frankish burial ground.
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Cologne
Cathedral
Great
St Martin's Church (photo - right)
