Palau – 2013 – 5 dollar – World of Wonders COLOGNE CATHEDRAL(including box) (PROOF)

Description

Metal: Silver .925
Weight: 20 g
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 2’500pcs

The most well-known landmark in Cologne is one of the biggest cathedrals worldwide and has belonged to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 1996.

On August 15th 1248 construction started on the gothic style house of worship. It was meant to serve as a repository for the war booty of conquered relics of the Three Wise Men and also as a pilgrimage site. However, the completion of the dome was not carried out until the year 1880 – an unbelievable 632 years after the start of construction. During the Second World War the city Cologne was an important target for the Allies’ bomber formations, sequently, the dome could not be spared. With over 70 hits it was severely damaged.

Nowadays, the nearly 160-metre high Cologne Cathedral is visited by about 20’000 people daily.