️ Cologne Cathedral to Introduce Entrance Fee for Visitors

️ Cologne Cathedral, the iconic landmark in western Germany, will begin charging an entrance fee for visitors starting in the second half of this year. The cathedral chapter announced the decision on Thursday, citing financial pressures.

️ At a press conference, the chapter stated that the fee is intended to cover rising costs for maintenance, security, and operations. Cathedral Administrator Clemens van de Ven explained that the site has experienced six consecutive years of losses since 2019, warning that its reserves will be depleted in the foreseeable future if no action is taken.

️ Provost Guido Assmann noted that tourists account for approximately 99% of the cathedral's visitors. The exact amount of the fee has not yet been disclosed. However, entrance will remain free for churchgoers, worshippers, and members of the Central Cathedral Building Association.

️ Construction of the Gothic cathedral began in 1248 and was not completed until 1880. Standing at 157 meters tall, it is one of the few buildings in Cologne to survive World War II and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

️ The cathedral attracts around 6.6 million visitors annually, making it one of Germany's top tourist destinations. The chapter emphasized that the new fee is necessary to ensure the preservation and sustainability of this historic site for future generations.

Source: www.dw.com