What was inside the Shrine of the Three Kings?
Table of Contents
What was inside the Shrine of the Three Kings?
The shrine was finally opened in 1864, and was found to contain the bones of Philip I, Archbishop of Cologne, along with some coins belonging to him.
Who is buried in the Cologne Cathedral?
Behind the high altar is the Shrine of the Three Kings where the relics of Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar– the city patrons of Cologne–lie besides the relics of Saint Felix and Saint Nabor, and Saint Gregory of Spoleto.
When were the relics of the Three Kings brought to Cologne?
1164
Indeed the Germany city on the Rhine became the archetypal European pilgrimage centre after relics claimed to be those of the Three Kings arrived in the city in 1164. They were brought from Milan as war booty by the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel (c. 1120-1167).
Why is the Shrine of the Three Kings special?
It has elaborate gold sculptures of the prophets and apostles, and scenes from the life of Christ. The shrine was completed circa 1225. Around 1199, King Otto IV gave three golden crowns, purported to be made for the three wise men, as a present to the church of Cologne.
What relics are in Cologne Cathedral?
Behind the high altar, the Shrine of the Three Kings rises up; the relics of Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar-the city patrons of Cologne-rest here alongside the relics of Saints Felix and Nabor and Saint Gregory of Spoleto.
Why is Cologne Cathedral so black?
The outside of the Cathedral is not made of black material, nor is it just dirty, instead, the sandstone which most of the building is made from reacts with the sulphuric acid in rain and turns dark grey, giving the Cathedral its distinctive dark colour over time.
Who made the Shrine of the Three Kings?
Nicholas of Verdun
Of the works that have been attributed to Nicholas of Verdun and his workshop, only the Three Kings’ shrine in Cologne Cathedral can be regarded as genuine.
What is special about Cologne Cathedral?
It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and features immense twin towers that stand 515 feet (157 metres) tall. The cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Cologne Cathedral, Germany.
Who created the Shrine of the Three Kings?
goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun
Parts of the shrine were designed by the famous medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun, who began work on it in 1180 or 1181. It has elaborate gold sculptures of the prophets and apostles, and scenes from the life of Christ.
What is inside the Cologne Cathedral?
Near the sacristy is the Gero Crucifix, a large crucifix carved in oak and with traces of paint and gilding. Believed to have been commissioned around 960 for Archbishop Gero, it is the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps and the earliest-known large free-standing Northern sculpture of the medieval period.
Why is Cologne a holy site?
It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is Germany’s most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day….
| Cologne Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Location | Cologne |
| Country | Germany |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | koelner-dom.de |
What is special about the Cologne Cathedral?
It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and features immense twin towers that stand 515 feet (157 metres) tall. The cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
