Construction of Cologne Cathedral

Timeline

1. c. 1240–1247Cologne · CologneThe Archbishop of Cologne and the citizens' council decided to build a new Gothic cathedral surpassing the old church, demolishing parts of the Carolingian-era structures and importing architects and designs from France in preparation for the 1248 foundation ceremony.
2. 1248Cologne Cathedral construction site · CologneA foundation ceremony was held in September 1248; work began first on the east choir and choir stalls, employing the French High Gothic ribbed vault system, marking the official start of large-scale construction at Cologne Cathedral.
3. 1248–1270Cologne · CologneOver the twenty-odd years after the foundation, the choir stalls and the east choir's ribbed vault structure gradually rose, with stone carvings and window openings built to French models, becoming the project's first visible results and setting the proportional tone for the later facade.
4. c. 1300–1842Cologne · CologneAfter the 14th century the project repeatedly stalled due to funding shortages, the Black Death, and political turmoil; the scaffolding of the south tower long remained on the city skyline, and only the east choir and part of the nave were completed in the medieval period, making it one of Europe's most famous unfinished Gothic projects.