THE WRONG PLACE TO SUFFER CHURCH FATIGUE

Impressive interiors of Cologne Cathedral

After the last three weeks visiting famous European landmarks, museums and churches we wondered if Cologne Cathedral would be one church too many. We needn't have worried.  This Church visit was one to top them all.

The Cathedral's spectacular twin spires, completed in the mid-1800s, can be seen from virtually anywhere in the City.   

Cologne was flattened during World War Two bombing but Germany’s greatest Gothic Cathedral survived. The stained glass windows and art treasures had been removed in anticipation of bombing and while numerous bombs did significant damage to the Cathedral's structure, the glassless windows had the effect of minimizing the blast impact.

Shrine to the Three Wise Men

The interior of the Cathedral, the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, has the effect of making one feel incredibly small but a good guide did a first rate job of bringing the Cathedral's turbulent history to life.

Particularly interesting, the shrine to the three wise men and a modern stained glass window overlooking the transom that castes beautiful light over the interior as the sun moves across the building.

The Romans had a long stint in Cologne and during post war reconstruction a treasure trove of artifacts was discovered.  

The Romano Germanic Museum opened in 1974 right next door to the Cathedral. 

The AD 220 Dionysus Mosaic

The Museum was built over the remains of a Roman villa and its famous Dionysus Mosaic (AD 220) that once decorated the floor of its elegant dining room.  Apparently at a G8 summit world leaders dined on this ancient floor. What were they thinking?

Part of the Museum's impressive collection 
of Romanesque glass

The Museum has the largest collection of Roman glass in the world.

The star exhibit is a 4th Century "cage cup" created through a painstaking process of delicate filigree work carved through layers of different coloured glass.  

The Cathedral and Museum are surrounded by modern buildings with a bustling shopping street occupying what was once an ancient Roman road.  

The 4th Century cage cup

One of the many nearby coffee shops provided an ideal spot to ponder our cultural morning in this modern powerhouse of a city while enjoying cappuccino, German apple cake and friendly service.

Sailing on to Amsterdam, our final port of call, the importance of the Rhine to the industrial heartland of Europe was really brought home to us  We were now outnumbered by fast moving cargo barges laden down with all manner of goods - probably fortunate that the Robber Barons were out of business. 

We noticed that many boats had a car or two parked on the aft deck - perhaps the captain and his crew drove home after a delivery?

One vessel bearing the name “Sailing Home” passed us in the opposite direction.  It struck a chord after such a wonderful journey across Europe.  

It was time to go home.