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September 2009

Press release of Cologne Cathedral-building administration by Matthias Deml:

Three holy emperors and a king return

Emperor Constantine and Charlemagne before cleaning (Photo: Dombauarchiv Köln, A. Wolff )	Presently sculptures of the holy emperors Constantine, Charlemagne and Heinrich II as well as St. Stephen of Hungary are being raised again at the west façade of Cologne Cathedral. The four about life-size lime stone sculptures were detached in March 2005 in order to be cleaned and restored in Cologne Cathedral builder’s hut. At the time of detachment all four sculptures were comparatively in a good state of preservation. Merely the hands of the saints with their attributes were partially heavily weather-beaten or completely destroyed, whereas the garments and facial features had remained conserved virtually undamaged. However the once light yellow French lime stone had been coated entirely with a layer of black grime. To begin with all four sculptures were cleansed by the restoration workshop Karthäuserhof with the assistance of a solid-state laser. This cleansing method is admittedly very time-consuming on the other hand it is particularly gentle. By the bundled stream of light partially the dark film of filth is intensely heated and evaporates. The original, light colour of the stone re-emerges. Since the rays of light are absorbed only by dark surfaces and thus remain without effect on light surfaces,
Reinstallment of Charlemagne at the west façade of Cologne Cathedral on Sept. 17th, 2009 (Photo: DBV Köln, M. Jürkel)	the sculpture is unharmed with this method of cleansing. Thus one can detect actually the original traces of the chisel still on a great number of spots on the refined sculpture. After cleaning the sculptures were examined by the University of Applied Sciences of Cologne under the direction of Esther von Plehwe-Leisen PhD by means of ultrasound. In this way also damages of the stone lying below the surface could be uncovered. On the basis of this analysis it was ascertained how wide-ranging the stone was impaired adjacent to the weather-beaten parts and had to be removed before sculptural complement of the sculptures. The destroyed elements of the sculptures, especially parts of the forearms, hands and the attributes were complemented in the end by the sculptors Michael Oster and Christoph Hoppe in Cologne Cathedral builder's hut. What served them thereby as indications for the partial reconstruction were the original blueprint drawings and plaster models of the 19th century and historical photographs. To begin with all elements were modelled in plaster on a scale of 1:1 and subsequently transferred in lime stone.
Reinstallment of Charlemagne at the west façade of Cologne Cathedral on Sept. 17th, 2009 (Photo: DBV Köln, M. Jürkel)	The four sculptures positioned on the forefronts of the tower pillars sidewise of the main entrance had emerged in the 1870s in the workshop of Cologne Cathedral sculptor Peter Fuchs. Peter Fuchs and his studio had created several hundred sculptures for Cologne Cathedral from 1865 on until the early 1880s. Under his direction not only elaborate sculptural programmes of the portals on the west- and north side of Cologne Cathedral came into being, but also the most sculptures on the pillars of the nave and transept, as well as the figurines of the internal wall of the southern transept. The plan to attach figurines of the rulers to the pier buttresses located between the west portals ultimately goes back to a concept of Sulpiz Boisserée in 1845. After one had thought in the meantime of a portrayal of the Prussian King and Cologne Cathedral patron Frederick William IV, one finally agreed upon Constantine, Charlemagne, Heinrich II and St. Stephen of Hungary. All four monarchs are likewise venerated as Saints as well. Therefore they are ideals of the Christian sovereign, whose assignment should be not least the protection of the church.
Emperor Constantine after cleaning and complements (Photo: DBV Köln, Matz und Schenk)	Its is easily conceivable, that political considerations of the diocesan chapter played a part in the selection of the Saints. The formation of the sculptures belongs to the era of the culture struggle (“Kulturkampf”), a battle royal between the Catholic Church and a Prussian state coined Protestant. In their composition the four figurines are typical representatives of a naturalistic style tending to pathos as it was redominating in Wilhelmine time. While it was possible in the case of the four sculptures of the west façade to complement and attach the originals to their initial position, with sculptures ruined worse perfect uplicates have to be constructed. So a few days ago for instance, a duplicate of a heavily destroyed statue of Saint Francis was re-erected at the façade of the north transept. The replication of this sculpture, broken in the middle and originating from Peter Fuchs as well, was created by Josef Düsterhus.

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July 22nd, 2009

Press release of Cologne Cathedral-building administration by Matthias Deml:

Works on Cologne Cathedral: New latticework on the south side of Cologne Cathedral

Who visited Roncallisquare in the last days has maybe noticed a small, but pleasant change. Since decades Cologne Cathedral builder’s hut is utilizing the space in between the abutments on the south side of Cologne Cathedral as storage place for stones, scaffolds and other construction material. In order to protect these there had been painted, wooden shacks up to now. For a long time they were hidden behind trees, at least during the summer months. Since those had to be cut down though about two years ago, the ageing shacks stroke the eye all the more incommoding. Therefore they have been dismantled in large part over the past weeks and have been replaced by provisional lattice for the time being. More demanding, wrought-iron latticework shall supersede in the years to come. But now already the cleared south view of Cologne Cathedral attracts enormously.

The Papstterrasse ("Popeterrace")
in July 2009
Photo: DBV Köln, M. Deml

The installation of the latticework relates to the redevelopment of the so-called Papstterrasse (“Popeterrace”). It occupies the elevated area of Roncallisquare immediately in front of the nave of Cologne Cathedral. Subsequent to the construction of the new entrance building for Cologne Cathedral tower, excavations and underground parking the city of Cologne will redesign this area in the months ahead and re-erect here the historical Petrusbrunnen (“Peter fountain”).

The Papstterrasse ("Popeterrace")
until 2007
Photo: DBV Köln, B. Schock-Werner

Cologne Cathedral Builder’s Hut has now made another contribution towards a more dignified design of the area of Cologne Cathedral’s surroundings by the installation the latticework. The shack in front of the attaching south transept shall be replaced by a lattice as well, as soon as the here still required scaffold is removed.

Furthermore the broken clapper of the Kaiserglocke (“Emperor’s Bell”), which is affixed to a pier buttress, is also visible again for interested parties. The clapper of the Emperor’s Bell, cast in 1874 and smelted down in 1918, was broken in 1909 during the toll of the bell and had fallen into the deep. Since at that time the bells were tolled by hand, about 50 men were occupied with tolling the bells at the time of the accident. Fortunately nobody was injured. In place of the broken clapper a steel ball was installed in the Emperor’s Bell, which was preserved as well in the depots of Cologne Cathedral.

The clapper of the Kaiserglocke ("Emperor´s Bell")
Photo: DBV Köln, M. Deml

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July 2009

Press release of Cologne Cathedral-building administration by Matthias Deml:

Guided tours on Cologne Cathedral’s roof now in Turkish language as well

For many years Cologne Cathedral-building administration has already been offering guided tours on the roofs of Cologne Cathedral. Other than guided tours in German, such were possible also in English, French and Russian to date. Now guided tours are offered in Turkish as well for the first time. Guided tours in Spanish are to follow.

As is generally known citizens of Turkish nationality or origin have a large share in Cologne. Therefore it has been considered a deficiency for quite some time, that is was not possible hitherto to offer the guided tours on the roofs of Cologne Cathedral, a great favourite with inhabitants of Cologne and their guests, also in Turkish language. This circumstance was taken remedial action in the meantime.
With Haydar Irmak the Cologne Cathedral-building administration has found a talented young student of art history of Turkish background, who feels at home with both the German and the Turkish culture and language. He commends himself optimally conveying Cologne Cathedral and its cultural meaning. Thus Mr. Irmak most recently had the opportunity to guide members of the Rotary Club Istanbul across the roofs of Cologne Cathedral in Turkish language and arouse their interest in Cologne Cathedral. He encountered great enthusiasm.
Group tours on the sublime top of Cologne Cathedral and to the excavations of Cologne Cathedral can be booked at the Cologne Cathedral-building administration.

It also may be pointed out that the newly established public tours to the excavations of Cologne Cathedral start at 3 pm each time on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. They are offered at a price of 10,- € per person. Please contact the counter at the ascent of the tower.

For further information regarding the tours: <click! >

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April 3rd, 2009

New entrance to the South tower finished

Anybody who wants to climb the South tower, will neither have to queue nor be disturbing services in the future any more, thanks to the ZDV-family:
The new access at Roncallisquare is finished, archbishop Joachim cardinal Meisner solemnly inaugurated it after 15 months construction period (January 2008 – March 2009) on April 3rd, 2009.

Per year roughly 600.000 people want to climb up the 509 steps of the South tower to see the bell cage with its eight bells and enjoy the panoramic view over Cologne.

Twelve metres long:
the tunnel through the mural foundation
of the South tower
Photo: DBA, Matz and Schenk

Heretofore they had to walk through Cologne Cathedral to reach the South tower; now they have an entrance of “their own”. This means that there is less of a waiting period in the “tailback” - and less noise for the worshippers by the tower's ascenders.
For the new access the tower's twelve metres thick mural foundation was broken through.
The transition of this wall through the tunnel alone is an experience.
It leads into a room of 120 square metres in the foundation of the South tower, which was discovered during archaeological excavations in 1994 and now it is serving as counter hall.
A second tunnel towards the northern side of the mural foundation serves as escape route and at the same time as access to the archaeological excavations under Cologne Cathedral.
Thereby excavation guidances are now possible irrespective of services and opening hours of Cologne Cathedral.
The project had cost 5,5 million Euro. A large proportion of four million Euro the ZDV absorbed; the state of NRW (1 million €) and the diocesan chapter (0,5 million €) bore the remaining expenses.
Simultaneously the city of Cologne has refurbished the public toilet facility at Roncallisquare, built a lift to the underground parking garage and replaced the old kiosk by a new construction, in which the Hohe Domkirche operates a shop with literature and souvenirs.

(for more information: press release of Cologne Cathedral building administration of April 3rd, 2009)

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December 2008

Kölner Domblatt 2008 („Cologne Cathedral Paper 2008“) published

The 73rd edition of Cologne Cathedral Paper, our scientific yearbook, is like the edition of 2007 a colloquium volume. It contains eight articles regarding a history full of vicissitudes of coexistence and cooperation of Christianity and Judaism at Cologne Cathedral.
The texts trace back to lectures, which were given on November 19th and 26th 2006 at the Cologne Karl Rahner Academy in the context of a conference on the subject of “Cologne Cathedral and “the Jews” “.

Part of Cologne Cathedral's mediaeval pieces of art are also embodiments of people, some of which are characterised decidedly as Jews. Thereby the “Judenhut” (“Jew's hat”) was assigned a central role. The pointy hat was part of the Jewish traditional costume since early mediaeval times.
As of the 12th century Jews were increasingly obligated to wear a particular attire, the “Judenhut” amongst other things. That was part of the dress code customary for many social groupings of the Middle Ages, but already was also of discriminatory character. In the portrayals in Cologne Cathedral the hat served the labelling of guises pertaining to the Old Testament as members of the people of Israel for one thing, but for another thing is also showing clearly anti-Jewish tendencies, for example like the two myrmidons at Christ's castigation on the Three Kings' shrine.
Open anti-Semitism comes to light especially in two reliefs at the choir stalls, on which a so-called “Judensau” and a ritual murder scene are shown. Rolf Lauer and Ulrike Brinkmann assemble in their article the multifarious images of Jews in the mediaeval furnishing of Cologne Cathedral and classify them in their historical context.

Reinhard Hoeps deals in his paper with the topic of how to handle the historical artwork of anti-Jewish content today. Located in the cross chapel of Cologne Cathedral today is an inscription-bearing tablet of Cologne's archbishop Engelbert von Falkenburg, originally positioned in the sacristan's realm. Its form is a rather rare kind of stone tablet, by which the archbishop of Cologne grants the Jews of Cologne a plethora of civil rights and liberties. The privileges stated encompass the right of burial, customs regulations and a money lending monopole. Joachim Oepen reveals that the archbishop conceded the privilege motivated by economic and fiscal considerations as well indeed. Helga Giersiepen examines the inscription epigraphical and can defer to a plaster cast copy previously undisclosed, which either may be a replication of the “Jew's privilege” in Cologne Cathedral or it may be a forgotten replica, which may have been located possibly in the mediaeval Jewish quarter.

In the 19th century the enthusiasm for Cologne Cathedral captured all social classes and groupings; citizens of all confessions participated in its completion, including quite a number of members of the Jewish community in Cologne. After the Jews were banished from the town in the year 1425 a new community could not evolve until after the occupation of the Rhineland by French revolutionary troops in 1794. Bernd Wacker displays in his article the energetic work of Jewish citizens for the completion of Cologne Cathedral and at the same time goes into the anti-Jewish and early anti-Semetic resentments of part of their Christian fellow citizens. Gabriele Teichmann reports on the extraordinary and indefatigable commitment of the family of bankers Oppenheim for Cologne Cathedral: In addition to their support of Central-Cologne-Cathedral-Building-Society they also donated various works of art for the Cathedral's interior.

Up to now widely unnoticed is the oeuvre of once acclaimed lithographer and miniaturist David Levy Elkan. He got very involved in the ZDV and the Cathedral's perfection. By order of ZDV and different Catholic institutions he executed also works of art for Cologne Cathedral: Originating from him for example is the miniature of the register of the Cathedral building friends and several miniatures in the famous “Papstadresse”, which was sent to Pope Pius IX. by the ZDV on the occasion of the Cathedral building celebration in 1848. Elfi Pracht-Jörns assembles the complete works of this important artist from Cologne for the first time.

The Cologne Cathedral building report by Barbara Schock-Werner, which presents the work of the Cathedral builder's hut and Cathedral building administration between October 2007 and September 2008, together with the reports about current events in that time form the ending of the newest Cologne Cathedral paper.

Members of the ZDV receive as always the book as complimentary annual gift. Cologne's “Domblatt” is available in book trade or online at Verlag Kölner Dom at the price of 26,50 Euro.

Kölner Domblatt 2008
Jahrbuch des Zentral-Dombau-Vereins („Yearbook of ZDV“)
360 pages, 180 images, Paperback, thread-stapled, 17 x 24 cm
ISBN 978-3-922442-65-3

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08. Dec. 2008

Chief Burgomaster Schramma acknowledges the obligations of the town of Cologne for a "dignified Cathedral environment":

"Roncalli-Square must be protected"

"We will have to increase the value of the square and we will have to protect it. I will take the issue to the town board and integrate all sides affected." With these words Cologne's Chief Burgomaster Fritz Schramma acknowledged the obligations of the town Cologne to provide for a dignified surrounding area of Cologne Cathedral, during a press conference of Central Cologne Cathedral Building Society (ZDV). That this obligation exists in actual fact, is the most important result of the first documentation regarding the clearance of Cologne Cathedral at the end of the 19th century.*
As contractee the ZDV had introduced the scientific treatise of historian Dr. Carolin Wirtz from Bonn at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst.

Press conference of the ZDV on December 5th, 2008 at Excelsior Hotel Ernst:
To the left (standing) Cologne Chief Burgomaster Fritz Schramma, the moderator of the press conference Constantin Count of Hoensbroech and Cathedral master-builder Prof. Barbara Schock-Werner; to the right Cologne Cathedral provost Dr. Norbert Feldhoff, historian Dr. Carolin Wirtz and host Michael H. G. Hoffmann, president of the ZDV.

"I am glad, that the result gives me backing," the Chief Burgomaster stressed his support for the ZDV's concern, to finally terminate noisiness and disturbances by skater, rickshaws and other "traffic" on Cologne Cathedral's paving slab and to make restitution of a "worthy formation" of Cologne Cathedral's surrounding area, which had been promised permanently by the town during Cologne Cathedral's uncovering.

Cologne Cathedral provost Dr. Norbert Feldhoff agreed with ZDV-president Michael H. G. Hoffmann: "I think, that the majority of the citizens of Cologne want a calming of the square. And I hope, that by this paper a very task-orientated discussion will emerge, of how to put this square in a shape more dignified, which has undoubtedly an extraordinarily meaning for Cologne and especially for its visitors. We will contend for how to arrive at this dignified appearance."

Cathedral master-builder Prof. Barbara Schock-Werner added: "By Mrs. Wirtz's book it becomes clear, that this matter is not a concern of complete strangers worldly innocent people, but rather a legal basis existing now, by which all people have to abide, if they don't want to break contracts deliberately. That is the distinction of before and after this book."

Host of the press conference, ZDV-president Michael H. G. Hoffmann clarified why the society had commissioned this documentation: "We wish for the city council to discuss this issue and to decide clearly to be still committed to these requirements and shape a dignified surrounding area for Cologne Cathedral. With the "we" I am not referring to the Central Cologne Cathedral Building Society, but both the citizens, who have enforced this right to an enduring dignified surrounding area of Cologne Cathedral back then, and all the citizens, who want to use that right again today." The ZDV will critically observe the process of events - "and if necessary, remind the town of Cologne of the fulfilment of the obligations it had committed to," said ZDV's president.

* Forschungen zum Kölner Dom, Band 2
Carolin Wirtz: »Dass die ganze Umgebung des Domes eine würdige Umgebung erhalte«
Der Zentral-Dombau-Verein und die Freilegung des Kölner Domes (1882–1902)
Hardcover, 108 Seiten, ISBN 978-3-922442-64-6, € 23,90, Verlag Kölner Dom

direct link to the book: <click!>

Here you may find the press release at length: <click!>

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General meeting on November, 26th in the philharmonic hall of Cologne

Can there be a more beautiful place for a general assembly than a concert hall like the philharmonic hall of Cologne? The event taking place only every four years, ran accordingly harmonious and enriched by wonderful musical entertainment:

Cathedral organist Prof. Dr. Winfried Bönig played the organ for roughly 1400 attending ZDV-members (of world-wide almost 11.000) to attune to and conclude the meeting.

Next to the entertaining greetings by the archbishop of Cologne Joachim Cardinal Meisner, Cologne's Chief Burgomaster Fritz Schramma and by Cologne Cathedral provost Dr. Norbert Feldhoff, the guests listened to three choirs of Cologne Cathedral later on: The cathedral choir under the direction of Cathedral master of music Professor Eberhard Metternich, the girls' choir at Cologne Cathedral with piano accompaniment by choirmaster and organist Oliver Sperling and his musical assistant Natalie Badura, and the vocal ensemble Cologne Cathedral, also under the direction of Professor Metternich.

ZDV's president Michael H. G. Hoffmann conducted the evening and thereby illustrated among other things novelties at the ZDV, above all the new appearance of the society, appertaining to it: the new logo, for the first time a slogan and the web page revised from scratch.

The ZDV president furthermore announced the first scientific paper regarding the clearance of Cologne Cathedral, which the historian Dr. Carolin Wirtz has been commissioned to do on behalf of the society and which will be published by Verlag Kölner Dom mid December.

The research work is also said to help ceasing the continuous argument concerning noisiness and disturbance by skaters, rickshaws and other "traffic" on Cologne Cathedral's paving slab, since it settles the question, if the town of Cologne had committed itself to provide for a "dignified surrounding area of Cologne Cathedral" at the time of Cologne Cathedral's clearance.

On the basis of the old original realty contracts it is clearly verifiable, that the town had actually signed this condition. (On December 5th the book will be presented on a press-conference after which you may find detailed information on these pages.)

After ZDV's secretary general Dr. Rüdiger Fuchs had informed about revenues and expenses between 2004 and 2007, Cathedral master-builder Prof. Barbara Schock-Werner gave a review on the current workings in and at Cologne Cathedral and made clearly aware, that the task schedule of Cathedral builder's hut is filled for the next decades.

Towards the end of the general meeting the girl's choir of Cologne Cathedral surprised with the highlight of the evening: The young vocalists performed a new composition about the history of the ZDV, which choirmaster and organist Oliver Sperling had created specifically for the ZDV and in its lyrics integrated is the new slogan of the society as the refrain: "...so that Cologne Cathedral stays with us!".

The ZDV-family thanked with big applause and is delighted at this addition of the new logo and the new slogan: Now Central Cathedral Building Society has its own „hymn“!

The musical finale provided Cathedral organist Prof. Dr. Böning with "Pomp & Circumstance" by Edward Elgar.

Philharmonic hall of Cologne on November 26th, 2008, shortly before 6 pm:
the hall gradually fills for the general meeting of the ZDV

In the front rows the 40 members of
the management board take their seats

ZDV's president Michael H. G. Hoffmann
illustrated novelties at the ZDV and
conducted the evening

"Without the ZDV no completion of Cologne Cathedral" - archbishop Joachim Cardinal Meisner greets the members of the ZDV likewise appreciatively and cheerful

Cologne Cathedral provost Dr. Norbert Feldhoff: "Even today we would not accomplish it without Central-Cologne Cathedral-Society."

Acknowledging the achievements
of the "ZDV extended family" for
Cologne Cathedral: Chief Burgomaster
Fritz Schramma

Reviewing the current workings in and at
Cologne Cathedral: Cathedral master-builder Prof. Barbara Schock-Werner

The girls' choir at Cologne Cathedral
with piano accompaniment by Cathedral choirmaster Oliver Sperling and conducted by his musical assistant Natalie Badura

Cathedral organist Prof. Dr. Winfried Bönig
accompanies the cathedral choir under the direction of the Cathedral director of music
Professor Eberhard Metternich

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ZDV: New appearance

We would like to present to you our new appearance on this web page.

Is it to your liking?

Share your view with us: via Email, letter or by phone.

We enjoy hearing your valued opinion!

The new logo is specially-tailored for ZDV:

It illustrates Cologne Cathedral with a scaffold - since the ZDV-family IS Cologne Cathedral's scaffold: Without it Cologne Cathedral would neither be completed (1880), nor preserved to this day, nor would it be protected in the future.

The towers are red - because ZDV
crowned Cologne Cathedral with them. The colour also signalises, that the towers would be endangered without this society.

The lower line of the left tower is stepped, while the right one is grounded evenly on the plinth - this simply shows precisely how Cologne Cathedral looked unfinished, before the towers were adjusted to the torso during its construction.

Thus our new logo compresses history, objective and future of the society.

ZDV - so that Cologne Cathedral
stays with us!

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The new Cologne Cathedral illumination

Part of Cologne Cathedral's preservation is not only to delay the decay of crumbling structure or to prune figures of destructive air pollution-caused patina. One of many projects recently financed by ZDV is the new interior illumination of Cologne Cathedral.

The old lighting with hanging lamps could only reach the lower part of the Gothic space - that was unsatisfactory and unattractive. Therefore the metropolitan capital of Cologne commissioned a new lighting system for Cologne Cathedral in 2006. In early summer of 2008 the system was finished.

The new illumination concept was real big-time: standing in aflame Cologne Cathedral from top to bottom bathing in warm light without realising straight away, where it comes from.

The new illumination in Cologne Cathedral is manifoldly alterable. Depending on occasion diverse areas of Cologne Cathedral's interior space may be lit in differentially accentuated illumination.

This intelligent lighting design concept brought honour to the commissioned company Bamberger (it made third place at the DALI-AWARD 2008).

Electricians of Cologne Cathedral builder's hut, Rolf Ackermann and his colleagues would have deserved an award for their part for laying cables: four thousand meters (!) principal cable provide in part for the illumination of Cologne Cathedral's interior.


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