Historical information

Cologne Cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and is a World Heritage Site. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day. (Wikipedia)

Though not targeted itself, the cathedral was very near to the central railway station and suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs during World War II. Badly damaged, it nevertheless remained standing in an otherwise completely flattened city. The twin spires were an easily recognizable navigational landmark for Allied aircraft bombing deeper into Germany, which may explain why the cathedral was spared. Repairs were completed in 1956. An emergency repair on the northwest tower's base carried out in 1944 using poor-quality brick taken from a nearby ruined building remained visible until 2005 as a reminder of the war, when it was decided to restore the section its original appearance. (Wikipedia)

Physical description

Black and white photograph showing a grand cathedral from a waterway. It is Cologne (Koln) Cathedral from the Rhine. To the left of the photo bombed buildings are evident. The photograph is believed to have been taken by Frank Wright.