Uniworld’s River Queen departed Amsterdam at 1:00p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017. To begin our 24-hours of sailing, gliding southbound, on the Rhine River. At about 6:00a.m. we pass Dusseldorf, Germany and reach our destination of Cologne, Germany at 12 noon, on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. From the ship's sundeck, we begin to see Cologne Cathedral - where the twin spires soar 157meters high.
Our ship docks on the banks of the Rhine and within walking distance of all to see-and-do in Cologne. We begin with a guided-walking tour of Old Town Cologne and with a visit to the Cologne Cathedral. Also know as, the High Cathedral of St. Peter, an iconic landmark, along with a self-guided tour in the Museum Ludwig. The cathedral, in 1996 was named a UNESCO world heritage site, retains many original treasures.
The cathedral suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs during the war. However, It did not collapse, but stood tall in an otherwise flattened city. The twin spires are said to have been used as an easily recognizable navigational landmark by Allied aircraft which may be a reason that the cathedral was not entirely destroyed.
The cathedral suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs during the war. However, It did not collapse, but stood tall in an otherwise flattened city. The twin spires are said to have been used as an easily recognizable navigational landmark by Allied aircraft which may be a reason that the cathedral was not entirely destroyed.
Inside are the relics of the Magi in the reliquary and other sacred figures. The bones of the Magi arrived, wrapped in first century Syrian silk. King Otto placed gold crowns on the skulls of all three of the wise men. Analysis has revealed that one skeleton is of an old man, one of middle-age, and the third of a young man. And this coincides with legend, that the Magi were about ages 60-, 40-, and 20-years old. The Star of Bethlehem is, understandably, an important motif in the Cathedral.
Cologne Cathedral-High Cathedral of Saint Peter
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On 15 August 1248 Archbishop Konrad Hochstaden laid the foundation stone for a new Cologne Cathedral
