|
This is the Pipe Organ in the Cologne Cathedral that you are listening to. It will run for approximately 2 minutes and then stop or, you can just turn the volume down.
The Cologne Cathedral or Kolner Dom, officially known as the High Cathedral of St Peter is a Roman Catholic church. Construction was started in1248 but was halted some 250 years later in 1473 leaving it unfinished. Work restarted in the 19th Century and was finally competed August 14, 1880. Upon completion at 516 feet,it was the tallest building in the world. Obviously this height has been surpassed many times since.
Here are various views of the exterior architectural details.
Restoration and maintenance is continuous on the cathedral so it is seldom seen without scaffolding somewhere.
At first view, this may look like a rock wall, but it’s not. It’s the exterior wall of the Cathedral
Interior Domes and Arches
Statues. Icons and Crypts Catholic churches have many statues placed at different locations throughout the church. Cathedrals usually have some sort of religious icon or historical artifact.
The Cologne Cathedral’s icon is the Three Wise Men or Magi. According to Western church tradition, Balthazar is often represented as a king of Arabia, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Gaspar as a king of India. This alter is dedicated to them. Why? Scroll on!
The bones of the Magi are allegedly contained in this gold encrusted crypt. How did they get to Cologne, Germany from the Middle East? Don’t know.
Stained Glass, Stained Glass and More Stained Glass. Many of the stained glass windows in church’s in Germany and European locations were removed during WW II and placed in salt or coal mines for safe keeping. One of the ones in this cathedral was recently replaced due to breakage. A plain glass window was installed for many years before a new window was crafted. Not too many people around that still know how to do this work.
This is the window that was recently replaced. The design is not based on a religious theme but rather on a computer rendition Click on: http://archive.wired.com/culture/art/magazine/15-08/pl_arts for additional information about this gothic computer rendition.
And the Inlayed Mosaic Tile Floor. Each tiny piece of this tile had to be selected for color and size and then hand laid in the correct place. Tens of thousands of not millions of hours went into these floors. Each piece is less than an inch square with many as small as your finger nail.
Beautiful piece of hand made wrought iron. Don’t know if was used to keep people in or out.
Click here for a video that provides a 360 degree view of the Cologne Cathedal, (Koln Dom) Although a concecrated Catholic church, this cathedral is Europe’s most visited tourest site. The music is actually the pipe organ playing in the cathedral.
For additional information about this building, click here.
Next stop the RatHaus or town hall.
What happens at the town hall? Well, a wedding of course. We wish the couple happiness in the future. Note the groom is wearing his band on his right hand. This is a European custom that when engaged, the rings are worn on the left hand and then transferred to the right upon marriage. Look for another wedding captured by your friendly Skunk in future pages.
A fountain near the RatHaus
Something that makes an archeologist wet his pants and a contractor say
“Oh Crap” Ancient Roman ruins found while running new utilities
near the RatHaus.
|
