Cologne Cathedral Hohe Domkirche St. Petrus
Cologne, Germany UNESCO World Heritage Site
Cologne Cathedral, or Hohe Domkirche St. Petrus, is a Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany, that stands 157 meters tall and 144 meters long. Construction began in 1248 and concluded in 1880, resulting in a prominent example of Gothic architecture. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most looked-up sights in Germany.
Planning a visit
Summer months from June to August provide the warmest conditions, with daily highs around 23 °C. Spring, particularly April and May, offers milder temperatures between 14 °C and 18 °C. Rain is distributed throughout the year, with monthly totals between 52 mm and 80 mm. The cathedral is located 15 kilometers from Cologne Bonn Airport and 476 kilometers from Berlin. Visitors can combine a trip here with a visit to the site of Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, 0.4 kilometers away, or the Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces in Brühl, 13.1 kilometers away.
The cathedral is open daily from 06:00 to 20:00. Admission requires a fee, and the building is wheelchair accessible.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 23 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 5 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 6 |
| Average low, °C | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Rainfall, mm | 66 | 55 | 66 | 52 | 69 | 80 | 76 | 73 | 69 | 68 | 71 | 74 |
| Rainy days | 16 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
