Cologne Cathedral Germany Magnet

Cologne Cathedral, locally known as Kölner Dom, is a monumental High Gothic masterpiece located in Cologne, Germany, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Construction began in 1248 and took over 630 years to complete, with its iconic twin spires finally finished in 1880, making it the world's tallest building for four years. The cathedral is renowned for its incredible verticality, intricate stone tracery, and vast window area, which houses the largest number of stained-glass windows in any church in the world, including the mediaeval 'Bible Window' and the modern Richter window. Historically, the cathedral was built to house the Shrine of the Three Kings, a masterpiece of mediaeval goldwork, which made it one of Europe's most important pilgrimage sites. Despite suffering fourteen hits by Allied bombs during World War II, the cathedral remained standing, its twin spires serving as an easy visual navigation marker for pilots. Today, it is Germany's most visited landmark, a symbol of the city, and a testament to centuries of engineering and artistry, showcasing both its mediaeval trachyte and 19th-century sandstone, which gives it its distinct two-toned appearance.