La Catedral de Colonia | ZonaDocu

Cologne Cathedral is the third tallest church in the world, the most popular building in Germany, and a grand stage for royalty, pop stars, and protesters. It receives 20,000 visitors daily, and its silhouette is used to advertise everything from bottle openers to cookie cutters. The Dom, Cologne Cathedral, is much more than a Catholic church. Throughout its history, the majestic Cologne Cathedral has been exploited time and again—politically, socially, and commercially. This report tells how this vulnerable giant still retains its dignity. Its treasures made the city of Cologne great, and the Cathedral remains a significant economic asset to this day, attracting thousands of visitors and selling exceptionally well as a souvenir. Such a powerful and unmistakable symbol also guarantees headlines: environmental activists chain themselves to the structure of its tower, a feminist activist goes topless during Christmas Mass, and skaters and artists use its pedestrian area, the Domplatte, for their performances. The Cathedral is the perfect setting for heads of state and international stars, the chosen venue for events and parties, and is subjected daily to vandalism and erosion. Its upkeep alone costs around €20,000 per day. The ancient building has also not been spared from looting, the most spectacular incident being the theft of the Cathedral's treasury in 1975. In any case, the landscape of the Catholic Church in Germany is impossible to imagine without the powerful cardinals of Cologne.