Germany’s Cologne Cathedral stands in the city of Cologne beside the Rhine.
Known in German as the Kölner Dom, the cathedral occupies a prominent position near Cologne’s central railway station and the river. Its twin spires and immense Gothic mass make it one of the most recognizable landmarks in Germany. The building is dedicated to Saint Peter and is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne.
Construction began in 1248, partly to provide a grand shrine for the relics traditionally associated with the Three Kings. Work stopped for centuries before the cathedral was completed in 1880 according to the medieval design. Its completion became a major national event in the German Empire.
The cathedral survived the Second World War despite heavy damage to Cologne around it, although it was struck by numerous bombs. It remains an active place of worship and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.