Germany’s Cologne Cathedral is about to join the ranks of churches that charge for visitors, saying it needs the funds to maintain the magnificent building. The turnstile goes up on July 1st.
Like most others that charge for admission, the Cathedral makes some exceptions, primarily for those who come to pray, or say they are; that will continue to be free, but others will pay an admission price of up to €12, with reduced rates for youth and certain other categories.
Entry for visitors will be on the Cathedral’s west facade, its main entry while the prayer entrance will be on the north side, facing the city’s main railroad station. Admission will be free for everyone to enter on certain days each year, including Epiphany (January 6th) Labour Day (May 1st) and German Unity Day (October 3rd). Officials said they will not check up on whether people at the north entrance do intend to pray.
Other well-known churches and cathedrals with admission fees include Milan Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Westminster Abbey, Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and the Pantheon in Rome. Most of those tickets are €10 or more higher than Cologne is asking.
