Cologne Cathedral

Emblem of the city, UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most-visited attraction in Germany – the distinctive silhouette of Cologne Cathedral, with its delicate double towers, rises proudly above the city and the Rhine. Begun in 1248 but only finally completed in 1880, the second-tallest religious building in Europe is considered a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture. Inside, the vivid stained-glass windows and the soaring height are immediately the most striking features, but for worshippers, the most important attraction is the golden shrine containing the remains of the Three Kings. It is this which has made the cathedral a significant pilgrimage church since the 13th century. Among the oldest fixtures is the monumental Gero Crucifix, dating from the 10th century. When the weather’s good, it’s worth climbing the south tower for panoramic views of the city and the Rhine.