Shrine of the Three Kings image

Shrine of the Three Kings

Tourist attraction Historical landmark Church Sculpture

One of the Top rated Historical landmarks in Cologne


Address

Cologne Cathedral, Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln, Germany

Website

www.koelner-dom.de

Contact

+49 221 17940300

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (253 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 7 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 7 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Cologne (20) shrine (17) Cathedral (15) cathedral (14) Schrein (13) nige (10) bones (8) lner (8) reliquary (7) gold (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 macedonboy 4 years ago on Google • 2261 reviews
    Not sure why this is a separate attraction as it’s inside the Cologne Cathedral. The shrine is a reliquary believed to contain the bones of the three magi who visited Jesus. “Borrowed” by Babarossa from the Church of Saint Eustorgio in Milan, it’s been in Cologne since the 12th century. The exterior decoration of gold and silver gilds are a masterpiece of medieval metalwork. As with most shrines, the figures are a mixture of prophets, apostles and Jesus. If you go on the guided tour with Dom Forum, you’ll get to visit the high Altar and get a better look at the shrine.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 G L L. 4 years ago on Google • 2052 reviews
    When you look at it you would think its gold. It looks like it's approximately 4 foot wide, 5 foot high, and 7 foot long. It is shaped like a basilica: two sarcophagi stand next to each other, with the third sarcophagus resting on their roof ridges. The ends are completely covered, so there is no space visible between the sarcophagi. The basic structure is made of wood, with gold and silver overlay decorated with filigree, enamel, and 100's of jewels and beads.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Frank B. 5 years ago on Google • 28 reviews
    Eine wunderbares, handwerkliches Kunstwerk der Goldschmiedekunst des frühen Mittelalters. Der Schrein enthält sicher nicht die Gebeine der drei Weisen aus dem Morgenland, aber der Schrein bewahrt ihre Geschichte, was mindestens genauso wertvoll ist wie die Gebeine selber. Otto der I. hat sie aus Mailand nach Köln überfürhrt, in Mailand werden sie aber nicht vermisst. Er hat mit dieser Reliquie den Kölner Dom zu einem großen Pilgerort gemacht.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 101 J. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Majestic and solemn (Original) 雄偉壯麗 莊嚴肅穆
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Satoshi N. 6 years ago on Google • 267 reviews
    Pretty impressive gold tomb/encasement for the relics of the three kings. It is placed at the main altar so seeing it up close is quite difficult. If you are in the cathedral and visiting, you can get quite close the Shrine but behind a gate. It doesn't stop you from getting unobstructed pictures because there are gaps large enough to get your hands past. You can also see the amazing detail which is in the shrine/tomb. There must be awful lot of gold used to make it.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Muhammad Ali K. 1 year ago on Google • 79 reviews
    Nice place to get a glimpse of history, and to have some time in peace. When go there, please keep the silence and connect with God. Respect is indeed blessing.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 George G. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) If you have not seen the Cologne Cathedral, you have not seen anything! It is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. But as great as it is, it is beautiful. Every time you look up, you often wonder about the size and beauty of the cathedral, both inside and outside ... It seems unreal. Performing all the details with precision close to perfection gives you an unswerving desire to explore it and wonder how they have succeeded? Inside you can descend and visit the crypt area, you can take pictures as many as you want but without a flash ... (Original) Dacă n-ați văzut Cologne Cathedral (Catedrala din Köln), n-ați văzut nimic! Este una dintre cele mai mari catedrale din lume. Dar pe cât este de mare, pe-atât este de frumoasă. De câte ori ridici privirea, de-atâtea ori te minunezi de mărimea si frumusețea catedralei, atât la exterior cât şi la interior...Pare ireală. Execuția tuturor detaliilor cu o precizie aproape de perfectiune îți dă o dorință nestăvilită să o explorezi şi să te întrebi cum de au reuşit? In interior puteti coborâ si vizita zona criptelor, puteti face poze câte vreți dar fara bliț...
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ash K. 7 years ago on Google • 149 reviews
    The structure is amazing, the detail in the masonary is exceptional and you stand looking in stunned silence. The building is so tall it makes you wonder how they built it so well and so tall in the 1600's. Very little mention of the bones or the shrine.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tom H. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The dreikönigsschrein is of course the highlight in Cologne Cathedral. I can not imagine that there is anything in it, but it looks good (Original) Der dreikönigsschrein ist natürlich das Highlight im Kölner Dom. Ich kann mir zwar nicht vorstellen dass hier noch etwas drin ist aber es sieht gut aus
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 C. S. 10 months ago on Google • 846 reviews
    Zu Ehren der heiligen drei Könige hat das Kölner Domkapitel um 1200 diesen goldenen Schrein anfertigen lassen. In ihm ruhen bis heute die Gebeine, die 1164 von Mailand nach Köln gebracht wurden. Das kostbare Gehäuse ist mit vielen Gemmen und Kameen verziert. An den Seiten sitzen unter einer Arkadenreihe Propheten und Apostel. Die Frontseite zeigt dreifach das Erscheinen Christi in der Welt: links die Anbetung durch die Könige, rechts bei der Taufe im Jordan und oben bei Weltgericht.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ursula S. 1 year ago on Google • 817 reviews
    Hier sollen die Gebeine der Heiligen Drei Könige ruhen. Der goldene Schein wurde um 1200 angefertigt. Die Gebeine wurden 1164 nach Köln gebracht.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Panagiotis A. 1 year ago on Google • 161 reviews
    Marvelous absolutely marvelous!!! The height, the width, the depth everything. Likely the church survived the bombing and we can admire the medieval architecture!! Feel tiny when being there.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hlib Y. 6 years ago on Google • 32 reviews
    Whether you believe these are indeed the genuine relics of the Three Kings or not, this is an important part of the cathedral and has been its defining feature for centuries. Beautifully adorned guilded shrine is something every visitor to the cathedral should see.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 G vd S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The allegedly holy three kings (!) Never existed, despite Cologne Cathedral and a regional holiday on January 6th. Interesting how one can lead so impressively astray masses of people without any historical basis with a clearly wrong legend. The account in the Gospel of Matthew is clear, the visitors of the little Jesus are called astrologers (astrologers) or magicians, never kings. And the number of visitors is not given either. Now the exciting question arises, whose bones are there in Cologne Cathedral? (Original) Die angeblich heiligen drei Könige (!) hat es nie gegeben, trotz Kölner Dom und regionalem Feiertag am 6. Januar. Interessant, wie man mit einer eindeutig falschen Legende, Massen an Menschen ohne jede geschichtliche Grundlage derart beeindruckend in die Irre führen kann. Der Bericht im Matthäus-Evangelium ist eindeutig, die Besucher des kleinen Jesus werden als Astrologen (Sterndeuter) oder Magier, nie als Könige bezeichnet. Und auch die Zahl der Besucher wird nicht angegeben. Jetzt stellt sich die spannende Frage, wessen Gebeine liegen denn da im Kölner Dom?
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Norbert S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The relics are the reason for the construction of the cathedral. In order to give the bones of the Magi a suitable place of storage, the very artfully crafted shrine was created between 1190 and 1225 by the goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun. In order to represent the shrine dignified and to accommodate the large number of pilgrims decided to build a new dome. (Original) Die Reliquien sind der Grund für den Bau des Domes. Um den Gebeinen der Heiligen Drei Könige einen angemessenen Aufbewahrungsort zu geben wurde der sehr kunstvoll gearbeitete Schrein zwischen 1190 und 1225 von dem Goldschmied Nikolaus von Verdun geschaffen. Um den Schrein würdevoll repräsentieren zu können und um die große Zahl der Pilger aufnehmen zu können entschied man sich zum Neubau eines Domes.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mirian C. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful, imposing and full of history. No need to pay to enter and can take photos inside. It is where the remnants of the three Magi remain. Just wonderful! Just missing more subtitles in English, it's all in German. (Original) Lindo, imponente e cheio de história. Não precisa pagar para entrar e pode tirar fotos dentro. É onde ficam os remanescentes dos três reis magos. Simplesmente maravilhoso! Só faltou mais legendas em inglês, é tudo em alemão.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jana O. 4 years ago on Google
    The experience of being close to an important religious symbol like this has a powerful energy.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bibi B. 4 years ago on Google • 391 reviews
    The Epiphany Shrine in Cologne Cathedral is a reliquary made as a goldsmith's work dating from the late 12th century. It serves to store the bones brought to Cologne by Archbishop Rainald von Dassel in 1164, who are revered in the Roman Catholic Church as the relics of the Magi. In addition, the shrine contains the bones of Gregory of Spoleto and other parts that are no longer attributed, but were attributed to the saints Felix and Nabor. The shrine, made between 1190 and 1225 by the goldsmith Nicholas de Verdun, is considered the largest and most artistically sophisticated reliquary preserved from the Middle Ages. It is built on two levels in the form of a basilica and decorated with golden figures, gemstone jewelry, gems, cameos and enamel melts that illustrate the Christian history of salvation from the beginnings of the Old Testament to the Last Judgment.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Dave K. 6 years ago on Google • 251 reviews
    Breathtaking place and I've never seen a solid gold box before
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maidensview M. 11 months ago on Google • 83 reviews
    Easy access...free admission...cheap parking beside cathederal...what more could you want...a must see on your trip...stunning.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 nabil a. 1 year ago on Google
    It's the most great cathedrali have ever seen
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aleksandre J. 5 years ago on Google
    One of the most attractive church in the world
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Singineer 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) When I saw the chain that actually tied Peter to Peter's chapel of the Roman chain, it is strange to see the traces of a very famous man in the Bible. There is the Ascendant of the Magi in it. (Original) 로마 쇠사슬의 베드로 성당에서 베드로를 실제로 결박했던 쇠사슬을 보았을 때도 그랬지만, 성경에 나오는 아주 유명한 사람의 흔적이라는 건 참 신기하다. 저 안에 동방박사의 유골이 있다니
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gurmetçi 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) So much detail! Authentic architecture. It looks like a postcard. It took 632 years for construction. To see if you go to Cologne. (Original) Autant de détail! Une architecture authentique. On dirait une carte postale. Il a fallu 632 ans pour la construction. À voir si vous aller à Cologne.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Paul K. 5 years ago on Google
    Good museum of Cathedral's treasury.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 EML 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Central sanctuary (Original) ZentralHeiligtum
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa H. 2 years ago on Google
    I found this place where the kings who traveled to find baby Jesus an infant and gave gift to the new king!! Muy Feliz para me!! I did this on the web it's beautiful and interesting treasure find I would say!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 TT H. 1 year ago on Google
    No 1
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marian W. 9 months ago on Google • 141 reviews
    Der Dreikönigenschrein im Kölner Dom ist ein als Goldschmiedearbeit hergestelltes Reliquiar, das aus der Zeit Ende des 12. Jahrhunderts stammt. Er dient der Aufbewahrung von Gebeinen, die Erzbischof Rainald von Dassel im Jahr 1164 nach Köln brachte und die in der römisch-katholischen Kirche als die Reliquien der Heiligen Drei Könige verehrt werden.

  • 5/5 Betrüger A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Must see!!!!!!!! (Original) Unbedingt anschauen!!!!!!!!

  • 5/5 Tom W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) World class! Your saint Three Kings - ora pro nobis! (Original) Weltklasse! Ihr hl. Dreikönige - ora pro nobis!

  • 5/5 Rafael A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent. (Original) Excelente.

  • 5/5 Jaku B. 5 years ago on Google
    Meaningful and valuable from the history!

  • 5/5 Bernd Helfer a. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The size of the cathedral in Cologne is very impressive (Original) Sehr beeindrucken die Größe des Dom in Köln muss man sich anschauen

  • 5/5 Shen P. 3 years ago on Google
    Great a must and the bridge fantastic

  • 5/5 Nazareno D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Magnificent (Original) Magnífica

  • 4/5 Steven S. 5 years ago on Google
    Beautiful reliquary

  • 5/5 Michael S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great, worth a visit if you are in Cologne (Original) Toll- einen Besuch wert, wer in Köln ist

  • 5/5 So n. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Loved this sight (Original) War begeistert von diesem Anblick

  • 5/5 EuWai C. 10 months ago on Google
    Feeling peacefulness!

  • 5/5 Вова �. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The scale in the middle is simply impressive (Original) Масштаб в середині просто вражає

  • 4/5 Annemarie S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful (Original) Schitterend

  • 1/5 Marta “Vianamor” C. 5 years ago on Google
    As a monument the church is beautiful. But all that about the 3 wise men are nothing else than BULLSH..T and the ignorant still believe. that it is really sad.

  • 5/5 Jenni A. 5 years ago on Google
    Amazing Cathedral! One of the most amazing that I've ever seen!

  • 5/5 Subin Rosa L. 5 years ago on Google
    Cologne=cathedral. please see cologne cathedral if you pass while your trip.

  • 3/5 Gabriele B. 6 years ago on Google
    Beautiful golden urn that was build in the Middle Ages for the relics of the Magi. Entrance to the apse is only for guided tours.

  • 4/5 Jesse E. 6 years ago on Google
    Certainly a refreshing place to visit if you have a short train layover

  • 5/5 Mage L. 6 years ago on Google
    Amazing! I was totally shocked by the huge, tall and gorgeous building…

  • 5/5 Oscar M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) An astonishing 1200-year-old Cathedral and the reliquary of the Magi ... unmissable .. (Original) Una Catedral asombrosa de 1200 años de antigüedad y el reliquiario de los Reyes Magos... imperdibles..

  • 5/5 ferdi b. 4 years ago on Google
    ?

  • 5/5 Petra R. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) wow you have to visit (Original) wow muss man besucht haben

  • 5/5 Michael B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Fascinating! (Original) Faszinierend!

  • 5/5 Dmitry M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) This is a great Christian artifact. (Original) Это великий христианский артефакт.

  • 5/5 Michael K. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The reason for the construction of the cathedral, impressive. (Original) Der Grund für den Bau des Domes, beeindruckend.

  • 5/5 Mario S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) This shrine is like a small cathedral in the great cathedral of Cologne. A masterclass of goldsmithing work. This shrine suits the sacred three kings. This shrine can be visited in the choir of the high cathedral. (Original) Dieser Schrein ist eine wie eine kleine Kathedrale im großen hohen Dom zu Köln. Eine Meisterklasse der Goldschmiede Arbeit. Dieser Schrein passt zu den heiligen drei Könige. Dieser Schrein kann man im Chor des hohen Dom besichtigen.

  • 5/5 Kameran H. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The Epiphany Shrine in Cologne Cathedral is a reliquary made as a goldsmith's work dating from the late 12th century. It is used to store the bones that Archbishop Rainald von Dassel brought to Cologne in 1164 and that are revered in the Roman Catholic Church as the relics of the Magi. In addition, the shrine contains the bones of Gregory of Spoletos and other parts that are no longer attributed, but long were attributed to the saints Felix and Nabor, to which a Gothic window in the Michaelskapelle is dedicated. The shrine, made between 1190 and 1225 by the goldsmith Nicholas de Verdun, is considered the largest and most artistically sophisticated reliquary preserved from the Middle Ages. It is built on two levels in the form of a basilica and decorated with golden figures, gemstone jewelry, gems, cameos and enamel melts that illustrate the Christian history of salvation from the beginnings of the Old Testament to the Last Judgment. The shrine was initially placed in the Carolingian Hildebold Cathedral; The relics and their precious container are likely - not least because of the emerging pilgrimages - to have decided to build a new, Gothic cathedral from 1248 on. Inside the gothic cathedral, the shrine had different locations; He occupies his present central place behind the high altar since 1948. (Original) Der Dreikönigenschrein im Kölner Dom ist ein als Goldschmiedearbeit hergestelltes Reliquiar, das aus der Zeit Ende des 12. Jahrhunderts stammt. Er dient der Aufbewahrung von Gebeinen, die Erzbischof Rainald von Dassel im Jahr 1164 nach Köln brachte und die in der römisch-katholischen Kirche als die Reliquien der Heiligen Drei Könige verehrt werden. Außerdem enthält der Schrein die Gebeine von Gregor von Spoletosowie weitere Teile, die nicht mehr zuzuordnen sind, lange jedoch den Heiligen Felix und Nabor zugeschrieben wurden, denen auch ein gotisches Fenster in der Michaelskapelle gewidmet ist. Der Schrein, der etwa zwischen 1190 und 1225 von dem Goldschmied Nikolaus von Verdun gefertigt wurde, gilt als das größte und künstlerisch anspruchsvollste Reliquiar, das aus dem Mittelalter erhalten ist. Er ist zweigeschossig in Form einer Basilikaaufgebaut und mit goldenen Figuren, Edelsteinschmuck, Gemmen, Kameen und Emailschmelzen verziert, die die christliche Heilsgeschichte von den Anfängen des Alten Testaments bis zum Jüngsten Gerichtillustrieren. Der Schrein wurde zunächst im karolingischen Hildebold-Dom aufgestellt; die Reliquien und ihr kostbares Behältnis dürften – nicht zuletzt wegen der aufkommenden Pilgerströme – den Entschluss zum Bau eines neuen, gotischen Doms ab dem Jahr 1248 mitveranlasst haben. Innerhalb des gotischen Doms hatte der Schrein unterschiedliche Standorte; seinen heutigen zentralen Platz hinter dem Hochaltar nimmt er seit 1948 ein.

  • 4/5 Reiner S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The shrine is golden yellow. (Original) Der Schrein ist goldgelb.

  • 4/5 Lucy G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) An impressive place for its history and architecture. You do not get paid to enter. I went in a low season season and it was quiet. For visitation, I went in May. (Original) Um lugar impressionante por sua história e arquitetura. Não se paga pra entrar. Fui em uma época de baixa temporada e estava tranquilo.para visitação, fui em maio.

  • 5/5 Melanie Donie - U. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice handicraft highlight in Cologne Cathedral. (Original) Schönes handwerkliches Highlight im Kölner Dom.

  • 5/5 Jens U. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very impressive and beautiful to look at. (Original) Sehr beeindruckend und wunderschön anzusehen.

  • 5/5 Yasameen N. 4 years ago on Google
    ???

  • 5/5 Anastasia I. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) If you came to Cologne Cathedral, then do not be lazy to go and here. The exposition impresses with absolutely stunning exhibits - jewelry of different epochs, inlaid pottery, embroidered with gold threads of the cardinals' attire - all this complements the majestic image of the Cologne Cathedral. (Original) Если вы пришли в Кёльнский собор, то не поленитесь зайти и сюда. Экспозиция поражает совершенно потрясающими экспонатами - ювелирные украшения разных эпох, инкрустированная посуда, расшитые золотыми нитями одеяния кардиналов - все это дополняет величественный образ Кёльнского собора.

  • 5/5 Marijan M. 5 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place and Cathedral

  • 5/5 David C. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Precious relic that occupies the high altar with the timbas of the 3 wise men. (Original) Preciosa reliquia que ocupa el altar mayor con las timbas de los 3 reyes magos.

  • 5/5 Olga P. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I advise! (Original) Советую!

  • 5/5 Antony J. 5 years ago on Google
    Must go. Holy feeling.

  • 5/5 Francis L. 4 years ago on Google
    You cannot miss this place

  • 5/5 Ardit T. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Absolutely to visit (Original) Assolutamente da visitare

  • 5/5 qazwsx q. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) There is no such thing as a masterpiece. (Original) 圧巻としか言い様がない。


Call +49 221 17940300 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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