The cathedral in Cologne was under construction for 632 years

Cologne/Praha - The imposing Gothic cathedral in Cologne, with its two slender towers rising to a height of 157 meters, hides a number of treasures, including the presumed remains of the biblical Three Kings. The Cologne Cathedral, at its time "the largest building north of the Alps," was built over 632 years and was ceremonially opened 130 years ago, on October 15, 1880, in the presence of German Emperor Wilhelm I. The five-nave cathedral was the tallest building in the world for four years, until it was surpassed in 1884 by the 169-meter-high Washington Monument in the USA.
    The foundation stone of the dominant feature of one of Germany's oldest cities was laid on August 15, 1248, at the site where an old Romanesque church once stood. The construction of the cathedral, inspired by French cathedrals, initially progressed quickly, so its choir could be consecrated in 1322. A few years later, the builder Peter Parler was reportedly involved in the construction, who later applied his experience during the building of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
    A lack of funds halted the construction of the Cologne Cathedral around the mid-16th century, and it was not until the early 19th century that a new romantic enthusiasm for all things medieval gathered enough finances, partially from collections by citizens of Cologne. The two towers were completed in 1880 (the northern tower measures 157.38 meters, the southern 157.31 meters), which are part of the five-nave cathedral complex with a transept and a crown of chapels covering a total area of nearly 8000 square meters.
    A unique work of art in the cathedral, which measures 144 meters in length and 86 meters in width, is the sarcophagus containing the presumed remains of the biblical Three Kings. The relics of Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar were brought from Milan in 1164 by Archbishop Rainald of Dassel, catapulting Cologne among the top pilgrimage sites of the time.
    Other treasures of the cathedral, dedicated to St. Peter and the Virgin Mary, include statues on the choir columns (dating from around 1320) and Gero's Cross, commissioned by Archbishop Gero in the 10th century, on which Christ is crucified in life size. The cathedral has 11 bells, and there are 509 steps leading to the viewing platform on the southern tower.
    During World War II, the cathedral was hit seven times during bombings, but fortunately, it was not completely destroyed. Its post-war reconstruction ended in 1956, and 40 years later, this Gothic jewel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
    The Cologne Cathedral is now the third tallest Christian church in the world. The tallest tower (161.5 m) belongs to the Gothic Protestant cathedral in Ulm, which was completed ten years after the Cologne Cathedral, on May 31, 1890. In second place is the Catholic Basilica of Notre-Dame in Yamoussoukro in Côte d'Ivoire, whose tower measures 158 meters and was built from 1985 to 1989. The tallest minaret (210 m) in the world is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.