When you arrive in Cologne by train there's a great gift as you leave the station. Towering higher than you can imagine is a church of great magnitude. It survived the bombings of WW11, some say it was just too incredible to bomb, others say it served as a recognisable landmark, either way it's a landmark to remember. This huge Gothic cathedral dates to 1248 when building began, it continued until 1880, today renovations continue. It dominates the city and deservedly so. We spiral high into one of the spires, up 506 steps. The Dom itself is 157.31 m high; (we climb to 148.66m,) it's dizzying going around and around up the narrow spiral staircase.
The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the second-tallest spires and largest facade of any church in the world. The view from the top is magnificent, you get a close view of the decorative spires, gargoyles, angels...it is inspirational to consider those who built, and continue to renovate here.
Inside, the church is typical of the Gothic Era...intricate on the outside but certainly plainer on the inside. It's still a masterpiece and unbelievable to marvel at the overall size of this building. This stain glass is a new addition, (2007,) It was created by the German artist Gerhard Richter. It is composed of 11,500 identically sized pieces of coloured glass resembling pixels, randomly arranged by computer. It is simply stunning!
The city is steeped in history. Archaeological diggings around the town hall reveal hundreds of items daily, mostly from Roman times.
We have friends in Cologne and feel blessed to stay with them. We are treated to great cooking, German breakfasts and great company. Clemens is the perfect tour guide, his organisation impeccable, accompanied by Christin we tour the city. We met these two in Nias on their honeymoon. Even though this was over two years ago, we are welcomed as great friends. We know this is a friendship to last and look forward to welcoming them in Australia one day.
The Cologne bridge spans the Rhine river. The walkway across is literally covered in padlocks, celebrating the love of couples. They glimmer and shine and catch the light and the dreams of lovers. The keys are tossed into the fast flowing River below.
It flows at an unbelievable pace. Huge cruise ships push against the current as do flat, incredibly long coal ships. It's great to sit and watch the river activity. We spend plenty of time wandering the city and out into the area where Clemens and Christin live. It's a fabulous part of the city, laid back and trendy at the same tim
It's sobering to think about the history of this city and of course wider Germany and Europe in relation to the war. In the pavement we come across small brass plaques outside the homes of Jewish people who were 'removed' during the war. They state their names, birthdate, and where they were taken...if known...
A great project of rememberance. http://www.goethe.de/kue/arc/dos/dos/zdk/en78940.htm.
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