Which Gothic cathedral in Cologne, Germany, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The Gothic cathedral in Cologne, Germany, that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is Cologne Cathedral.

Known in German as the Kölner Dom, Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral on the Rhine and the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne. Its Gothic construction began in 1248 under Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, inspired partly by the desire to create a grand shrine for the relics associated with the Three Kings. The choir was consecrated in 1322, but construction stopped in the 16th century.

Work resumed in 1842 after medieval plans for the façade were rediscovered. The cathedral was completed in 1880, 632 years after its foundation stone was laid. Its twin spires rise about 157 metres, and the building briefly ranked as the world’s tallest structure. The cathedral’s stained glass, sculpture, bells, and Shrine of the Three Kings make it both a major religious site and an architectural landmark.

UNESCO added Cologne Cathedral to the World Heritage List in 1996. It was placed on the World Heritage in Danger list from 2004 to 2006 because nearby high-rise development threatened its visual setting. It was removed after building-height restrictions were introduced.