Our second time to see this towering Cathedral (imagine what an extraordinary sight it must have been for pilgrims back in the Middle Ages!) - the Shrine of the Three Kings.
"The original Christian church was built in 313 (its font can still be seen), the foundation stone for the present Cathedral of St. Peter was laid in 1248, the east end was
consecrated in 1322, but the two towers - the crowning glory of the Cathedral - were not built until the 19th century." (*"Cologne Panorama" by Max-Leo Schwering)

We saw Pope Benedict 16th as he arrived via the Rhine River on one of the many large-screen TV's set up within the area. We were fortunate
enough to be let in because only about 30% of the 20th World Youth Day delegate/pilgrims present that day was allowed inside this secured area
where the Pope personally met with us at around 20:00 H.