Cologne Cathedral: unity through different construction stages

Useful to know

Cologne Cathedral was started in 1248 and completed in 1880. This long calendar range does not mean continuous construction in any year. For architecture, the interesting thing is the preservation and continuation of the Gothic design through different stages. [1]

When viewed, compare the general silhouette with the rhythm of the facade parts. Repetition of vertical elements creates a sense of connectedness, even though the performance history is complex. The unity of the image and the unity of the date are not the same.

The cathedral is a good example of why the question "What century is this building from?" sometimes has no short answer. It is more accurate to specify whether we are talking about the project, the early parts, the later completion or the subsequent maintenance. The history of the construction is part of the significance of the monument, not an annoying exception.