Cologne Cathedral – The Archbishop Greets Visitors at the Door

Stepping into the Cologne Cathedral, which took over 600 years to complete, the (Cardinal) himself was at the door to welcome visitors. The place is packed with tourists—over 6 million come here every year! This is my second visit to Cologne. More than a decade ago, when I came, the interior was empty with few tourists; now, it’s filled to the brim. The Cologne Cathedral was hit multiple times during World War II, yet miraculously retained its structural integrity 🏰. It stands as a perfect masterpiece of Gothic architecture. That dark exterior? It’s actually the result of centuries of air pollution and coal smoke stains from the Industrial Revolution ⚫. It holds a unique dual status with UNESCO: not only is it a World Heritage Site, but it’s also listed as an endangered heritage due to long-term exposure to air pollution 😮. The cathedral’s stained-glass windows span multiple historical periods, each telling its own story 🎨. Inside, the gilded reliquary houses the remains of the Three Wise Men, a profoundly significant religious relic ✨. #Germany #GermanyTravel #Travel #Cologne #CologneCathedral #Cologne