Created 1-Feb-07
Modified 1-Feb-07
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THE CATHEDRAL OF KöLN
The present Cathedral of Köln has been constructed on the place where 9th century Cathedral stood. The Chapter of Cathedral made decision in 13th century to replace the Old Cathedral with a cathedral in French High Gothic style. Archbishop Konrad von Hochstanden lay foundation stone of the new building on August, 15th, 1248. The immediate model was Cathedral of Amiens, but the Cathedral architect Master Mason Gerhard, oriented himself in the details on the newly completed Sainte Chapelle in Paris. From the beginning of the construction to the 1560 following part of the Cathedral has been constructed: the choir-apse, the high altar, the southern tower up to a height of 56m, the northern aisles and the nave up to a height of 13m with a provisional ceiling. For centuries the Cathedral remained unfinished, until in 1823 a new workshop for repairs was founded. From 1842 on two transept façades and the upper parts of the nave and transepts were erected. The half of costs were financed by the Prussian government and the other half was provided by the Friends of the Cathedral Society founded in 1842 and still active. In 1863 the interior of the Cathedral was completed. On October 15th, 1880, the last stone in the southern tower was put in place. Five nave Cathedral of Köln with its 157.38m height towers is a pinnacle of High Gothic architecture.
Acknowledgments: Agnès Rausch
The present Cathedral of Köln has been constructed on the place where 9th century Cathedral stood. The Chapter of Cathedral made decision in 13th century to replace the Old Cathedral with a cathedral in French High Gothic style. Archbishop Konrad von Hochstanden lay foundation stone of the new building on August, 15th, 1248. The immediate model was Cathedral of Amiens, but the Cathedral architect Master Mason Gerhard, oriented himself in the details on the newly completed Sainte Chapelle in Paris. From the beginning of the construction to the 1560 following part of the Cathedral has been constructed: the choir-apse, the high altar, the southern tower up to a height of 56m, the northern aisles and the nave up to a height of 13m with a provisional ceiling. For centuries the Cathedral remained unfinished, until in 1823 a new workshop for repairs was founded. From 1842 on two transept façades and the upper parts of the nave and transepts were erected. The half of costs were financed by the Prussian government and the other half was provided by the Friends of the Cathedral Society founded in 1842 and still active. In 1863 the interior of the Cathedral was completed. On October 15th, 1880, the last stone in the southern tower was put in place. Five nave Cathedral of Köln with its 157.38m height towers is a pinnacle of High Gothic architecture.
Acknowledgments: Agnès Rausch
© Stevan Kordić
