Cologne Cathedral. Cologne Cathedral is the biggest gothic cathedral in Germany. This is the unchanged symbol of the city. The building works started in 1248 and ended only in 1880. The cathedral was built on the site where the meeting of the Christians took place during the period of Roman Imperia. Cologne Cathedral miraculously remained undamaged during the Second World War. Its height is 144 m and its width is 86 m. The towers of the cathedral are 157 m tall. The treasure house of Cologne Cathedral is the most valuable one in Europe. It is even richer than the treasure house of the Vatican. Gero Cross is the most famous item there. This is a coloured wooden crucifix, created by order of Cologne archbishop Gero in 975. The death of Christ on the cross is expressed very realistically. It was a true eye-opener at that time. However, the Shrine of the Three Kings is surely the main treasure of Cologne Cathedral. These are the relics of the three saint kings (three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar). The relics are kept in the biggest golden sarcophagus in Western Europe. Do not forget to go up to the top of the left tower of the cathedral as it features truly stunning and wonderful view of the city.
The House of Cologne 4711. The House of Cologne 4711 is a world-known shop in Cologne, where one can buy the ' cologne. The house is situated in Glockengasse. 'Eau de cologne' is literally translated as ' water from Cologne'. This perfume appeared in 1709 thanks to Johann Maria Farina, who turned Cologne into the city of perfume. His perfume company has the reputation of the oldest in the world. Later, other shops and factories followed his example and started producing cologne. However, the House of Cologne 4711 remains the most popular and respected one. It got its name from the number of the house and soon the name became a trade mark.
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