Köln

Leaving Bruges, I stopped in Köln for overnight to break up the trip (and to leave enough time for me to check into my housing in Gießen, then get back on a train, heading south to The Knitter's Utopia). But more on that later...

Back to Köln -

This is St. Mariä Himmelfahrt Missione Cattolica Italiana which was between my hotel and the Cathedral in Köln. The doors were open, so I stopped in.





Next, the Cathedral (Dom). Building on the Dom began in 1248. During the wars of the religious reformation, pilgrimages (and with them funds for building) no longer came to the Dom. For 300 years the finished end of the nave was walled off to use as a church. The Prussians paid to have the church finished - using 700 workers it was completed in 1842-1880.

















Why pilgrimages to the Dom?

The Gero-Crucifix - which is the oldest surviving monumental crucifix from north of the Alps. It was carved in the 970's.



The Shrine of the Magi - in the 12th century, Köln acquired the bones of the Three Kings, now stored in this reliquary.



The third reason for pilgrimages (which I didn't get photo of as the evening service was being conducted) is the Madonna of Milan sculpture from 1290.

I see inspiration for lace patterns in these photos-







In the Roman-Germanic Museum behind the Dom, there is a large window - very handy for tourists who arrive after closing time. Peering through the window, one can see the museum's prized piece - the mosaic dining room floor of a rich Roman merchant in it's original position because the museum was built around it.