Cologne Cathedral (German: Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria) is a Roman Catholic church in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne, and is under the administration of the archdiocese of Cologne. It is renowned as a monument of Christianity, of German Catholicism in particular, of Gothic architecture and of the continuing faith and perseverance of the people of the city in which it stands. It is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The cathedral is one of the world’s largest churches and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.

Kölner Dom (cologne cathedral) west facade

With a total surface area of almost 7000 m2, the west façade of the Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) is the largest ever church façade created. Its form, with its two imposing 157 metre spires crowned with magnificent filigree spires, can be traced back to a medieval architectural drawing known as Facade Section F, a parchment document drawn in the year 1280, almost one hundred years before work actually commenced on the building of this facade In 1360. Work on the spires was not however completed until 1880. Despite a richness verging on excess of detailed shapes and decorative details, the facade is nonetheless based on a very clearly visible and simple structure.

Cologne Cathedral interior of nave and central aisle

More panoramas of the  Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany, and Cologne’s most famous landmark, described by UNESCO as an “exceptional work of human creative genius” can be found in Arounder Cologne.