A sense of scale
Standing beside it shows how huge the ornaments that look small atop the spires really are.
Elke Wetzig (Elya) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dietmar Rabich — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dietmar Rabich — CC BY-SA 4.0 · GraphyArchy — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Kreuzblume is a huge piece of stone standing on the square beside Cologne Cathedral, which most passers-by walk past without knowing what it is. It is a full-size copy of the carved finial that crowns each of the cathedral's two spires. Its usefulness is that it explains scale. Looked at from below, that ornament on the spires seems a small point — but it is in fact far taller than you are, about nine metres. Standing next to it gives you a real sense of the cathedral's size that no photograph does. It is free and out on the square at all times.
Standing beside it shows how huge the ornaments that look small atop the spires really are.
One of the best spots for a picture with both the stone's bulk and the cathedral behind.
Finely carved leaf ornament you can only examine closely here.
Roncalliplatz, 50667 Köln
DomplatteThe Domplatte is the wide concrete plaza surrounding Cologne Cathedral. It was b1 minute walk4.2
Cologne CathedralCologne Cathedral is Germany's most famous and most visited building. Work began1 minute walk4.4
Cologne Cathedral TreasuryThe Cathedral Treasury is a small museum in stone vaults beneath the north side 1 minute walk4.7
Shrine of the Three KingsThe Shrine of the Three Kings is a large golden casket set behind the high altar2 minutes walk4.7
Heinzelmännchen FountainThe Heinzelmännchen Fountain is a small stone fountain near the cathedral that t2 minutes walk4.4A full-size copy of the carved finial that tops each of the cathedral's spires. It was placed on the square so people can see up close what is otherwise only a small point far above.
Ten minutes. It is a quick stop beside the cathedral — fold it into your walk round the square before or after going into the church.
Because it looks like a large block of stone with no obvious sign, and visitors are busy with the cathedral itself. Now that you know what it is, a minute beside it changes your sense of the whole building's size.