Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral

The shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral is said to contain the bones of the "Three Kings", also known as the Three Wise Men or Magi . It is a large gilded sarcophagus dating from the 13th century, and the largest reliquary in the western world. It was created by Nicholas of Verdun and is considered the high point of Mosan art.

Related Topics:
Cologne Cathedral - Three Wise Men - Sarcophagus - 13th century - Reliquary - Nicholas of Verdun - Mosan art

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The remains of the Magi were taken from Milan by Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa and given to the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel in 1164. The Three Kings have since attracted a constant stream of pilgrims to Cologne.

Related Topics:
Milan - Fredrick Barbarossa - Archbishop of Cologne - Rainald of Dassel - 1164

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To honor these important relics, construction of the Cologne Cathedral was begun in 1248. Today the cathedral is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe. The building took 632 years to complete.

Related Topics:
1248 - Gothic - Church

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Parts of the shrine was designed by the famous medieval goldsmith, Nicholas of Verdun, who began work on it in 1180 or 1181. It has elaborate gold sculptures of the prophets and apostles, and scenes from the life of Christ.

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110 cm broad, 153 cm highly and 220 cm long, the shrine of the Three kings embodies like a basilica the three-agreement of God. 74 driven figures from gilded silver decorate the shrine. Jewels, occupied by filigree plates, colored volumes from email strip, blue-golden inscription lines, poured metal combs at the fields of the front and back arranged and encloses the precious container. Over 1000 jewels and beads are increasing the gloss. Numerous antiquity Gemmen and Kameen represents the largest picture collection of antiquarian picture stones of the Middle Ages, for already alone with 300 cut stones world-wide. The golden shrine in Cologne Cathedral has the form of a basilica: two sarcophagus stand next to each other, on whose roof roofridges a third sarcophagus up-rests. The back with its clover sheets and the above three-quarter circle niches lets circumstances become clear. The architecture of the whole one reveals itself as result of a uniform and long construction period planning hardly changed of over 40 years. Down at the three-king shrine are the large gilded prophets, over it the apostle in many email pictures in the bachground. At the golden front Christ and Maria appears, with the holy three kings praying, who represent entire mankind, and with Christi baptism in river Jordan, and above as a world judge at the end of the times. The back shows down a suffering and a dying of Christus.

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Because of the importance of the shrine and the cathedral for the later development of the city, the Coat of Arms of Cologne contains three crowns to symbolise the Three Kings.

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A scientific examination of the shrine in 1864 revealed what were described as two thousand year old bones and clothing.

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On July 20th 1864, at the opening of the shrine, remains of the Three Kings and the coins of Philipp of Heinsberg were discovered. An eyewitness report reads:

Related Topics:
July 20 - Philipp of Heinsberg

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:In a special compartment of the shrine now there showed - along with remains of ancient old rotten or moulded bandages, most likely byssus, besides pieces of aromatic resins and similar substances - numerous bones of three persons, which under the guidance of several present experts could be assembled into nearly complete bodies: the one in his early youth, the second in his early manhood, the third was rather aged. Two coins, bracteates made of silver and only one side striken, were adjoined; one, provably from the days of Philipps von Heinsberg, displayed a church (See Note), the other showed a cross, accompanied by the sword of jurisdiction, and the crosier (bishop's crook) on either side.{{fn|1}}

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::Note: "Just as the coin of Philipp in Hartzheim, historia rei nummariae coloniensis Table 3 No. 14, 16, (1754), yet without its circumscription; the other (coin) is in square form, showed in the center a cross, accompanied by the sword of jurisdiction, and the crosier (bishop's crook) on either side, also without transcription, most certainly it is not younger and can be assumed perhaps to turn out to be a coin by Rainald (Rainald of Dassel).")

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Around 1200 another eyewitness report said: "In the days of Philipp of Heinsberg the shrine of the three magi was built. This told me some eyewitnesses who were present when the three magi were put into the shrine (Vita Eustorgii (Eustorgius))."{{fn|2}}

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Around 1199 King Otto gave a present to the church of Cologne: three golden crowns made for the three wise men: "Otto rex coloniensis curiam celebrans tres coronas de auro capitibus trium magorum imposuit"; MGSS 17, 292

Related Topics:
1199 - Otto

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In ca. 1225 construction of the golden shrine of the Three Wise Men was finished.

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Facts about the construction which many people do not know about The shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral:

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• 1180?: Construction of the golden shrine begun because
• 1180 : Philipp of Heinsberg received the honour-title "Regulus of Westfalia", (Gelnhäuser Urkunde 1180)
• 1180 : Construction of the citywall in Cologne started (probably ended 1225)
• The head of the church of Cologne said ca.1225: "A new cathedral must be built".
 
Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral: Notes ►