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Cologne Cathedral celebrates 777 years: an anniversary full of history and challenges!
In 2025, Cologne Cathedral will celebrate the 777th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone, an important legacy of Gothic and German history.
Cologne Cathedral celebrates 777 years: an anniversary full of history and challenges!
Today, August 15, 2025, the people of Cologne are celebrating a very special anniversary: Cologne Cathedral is celebrating 777 years since the foundation stone was laid! This impressive building, which still shapes the cityscape today, was brought to life on August 15, 1248 under the then Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden. Although many celebrations and retrospectives take place today, the exact sequence of laying the foundation stone is still a mystery. The foundation stone was probably placed in a foundation pit, but how it remains undiscovered to this day Cathedral radio reported.
The history of the cathedral is marked by challenges and disruptions. Over the centuries there were repeated interruptions in construction, for example due to the devastating plague in 1348 and the Reformation, which led to the construction project being stopped around 1520. Interestingly, the building's footprint had already been largely completed by this point, even though the Gothic style had fallen out of favor at the time. Master Gerhard, the cathedral's first architect, had gathered technical inspiration in France and implemented it in Cologne.
A prestigious project with history
It was not until the 19th century that new momentum came into the cathedral construction work, when further construction was officially resumed in 1842. The cathedral, which was declared complete in 1880 after an impressive 632 years, has since established itself not only as an architectural masterpiece, but also as a place that strongly shapes the identification of Cologne's citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation. Since then, people have had deep roots in this iconic structure, as evidenced by restoration and conservation efforts expected to last until 2070 before the north side is tackled.
An interesting peculiarity: Cologne Cathedral has a remarkable height of 157 meters and is considered a prestige project even beyond the city limits. But despite all the work and progress, it remains questionable whether the cathedral will ever be fully completed, as history shows. Some important stages in the history of the cathedral include:
- 1248: Grundsteinlegung
- 1322: Chorweihe und Fortschritt im Bau
- 1560: Einstellung des Baubetriebs
- 1794: Nutzung des Doms als Futtermagazin und Gefangenenlager
- 1815: Der Dom wird Symbol der deutschen Nationalbewegung
A look into the future
Current restoration efforts are focused on the south side of the cathedral, and the cathedral construction works remains dedicated to repairing the damage caused during World War II. There is a lot to do here and the responsibility for maintaining this important building is passed on from generation to generation.
Whether Cologne Cathedral will ever be in perfect condition remains uncertain, but the architecture and the story it tells will continue to attract and inspire people from all over the world.
Memories will be celebrated and stories retold as the city plans lavish celebrations that honor the cathedral's legacy. For the people of Cologne, this day is not only a look back, but also a look into the future, which they will shape together with their cathedral.