COLOGNE CATHEDRAL

Cologne Cathedral is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe. It stands on the site of a church begun in the 9th century by Hildebold, metropolitan of Cologne, and finished under Willibert in 873. After a fire in 1248, rebuilding was begun by Meister Gerard. The choir was completed in 1322, and work went on until 1510 when it is said the Renaissance contempt for the Gothic style brought building to a halt. Work was not resumed until 1820 and the building was not completed, according to the original design, until 1880.

The cathedral is massive, its great twin towers rising over 500 feet above the city center. The cathedral is noted for its beautiful 14^th century stained glass windows and other art treasures. On the high alter are relics of the Magi brought to Cologne from Rome in 1164 which is preserved in a solid gold shrine, which is one of the finest medieval examples of the goldsmith’s art. The painting above the altar is the center panel of a triptych by Stephan Lochner. Painted in the early 15^th century it depicts in clear, bright colors and gold the Adoration of the Kings. At the south side of the cathedral lies a reminder of Cologne’s yet older past–the Dionysian mosaic, originally the floor of the banqueting hall of a great Roman villa which was discovered during excavations near the cathedral in 1941 (from Encyclopaedia Britannica).

This medal is one of five variations, each showing the cathedral in different stages of completion. The example shown is dated 1842. Marked “DRENTWETT. DIR.” and “K AE MMERER. FEG.”