Church of the Holy Apostles in Germany, resort of Cologne
Rating: 8,6/10 (1045 votes)  The Catholic Church of the Holy Apostles in Cologne is considered the third tallest in the city – the western tower of the building is 67 meters high. The church gained its popularity because of the unique stained glass windows, thanks to which it is the most romantic church in Cologne. The first church building on this site was erected in the 9th century. In the X century, the monastery of the Holy Apostles was formed around the church, on the territory of which the first church building was erected in the XI century. For the religious construction of that time, the temple was rather atypical - and ndash; the choir was located on the west side, not on the east. The current Apostolic Church was built just on the fragments of that old church building, from which only the walls of the western transverse and main naves have survived. Back in the 11th century, the church was outside the city walls. In 1106, after the construction of new city walls, the temple was located within the city limits. In the middle of the 12th century, a number of large-scale construction works were carried out in the building, during which the church choir was moved to the eastern part , and in its place a 67-meter tower with a wall was built. According to scientists, this reconstruction was planned in connection with the fire in the building. However, it is also known that in the 12th century the city was engulfed in a 'construction fever' – during this period, many buildings in Cologne were rebuilt. At the end of the 12th century, a massive fire broke out in the city, as a result of which the temple was seriously damaged. At the beginning of the 13th century, restoration work was carried out in the church, during which an octagonal dome-lantern was installed over the eastern cross section, and the altar part was formed in the shape of a cloverleaf. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Archdiocese of Cologne was abolished in the course of Napoleonic mediatization. As a result, the Apostolic Church, along with other churches in the Rhineland, was secularized. After the closure, the temple began to decay and gradually fell into desolation. In the future, it was even planned to demolish the temple, but it was decided to preserve the building and carry out restoration in it. In 1860, the Apostolic Gymnasium was opened at the temple, which still exists today. Large-scale restoration work in the church was carried out in 1871-1891. During the Second World War, the church building was seriously damaged. The first restoration work was carried out until 1957, then it was continued from 1966 and was carried out for almost 40 years. The stained glass windows of the church, made by the painter Ludwig Gies, deserve special attention. Images of the Twelve Apostles can be seen here.    During the Second World War, the church building was seriously damaged. The first restoration work was carried out until 1957, then it was continued from 1966 and was carried out for almost 40 years.The stained-glass windows of the church, made by the painter Ludwig Gies, deserve special attention. Images of the Twelve Apostles can be seen here. During the Second World War, the church building was seriously damaged. The first restoration work was carried out until 1957, then it was continued from 1966 and was carried out for almost 40 years.The stained-glass windows of the church, made by the painter Ludwig Gies, deserve special attention. Images of the Twelve Apostles can be seen here. We also recommend reading Port of Liverpool in the UK, Liverpool resort Topic: Church of the Holy Apostles in Germany, resort of Cologne. |
