Cologne Cathedral to charge tourists €12 entry fee from July

Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most visited landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, will begin charging tourists €12 for entry from July 1 as church authorities seek additional funding to cover rising maintenance and operating costs.

The Gothic cathedral, which stands 157 metres tall and is the world’s highest twin-spired church, first announced plans to introduce admission fees in March, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

The final price is slightly above the €10 maximum initially proposed by church officials.

Cathedral representatives said the new charge is necessary to help finance maintenance, security and daily operations. Annual upkeep costs for the landmark are estimated at €16 million, or roughly €44,000 per day.

“The Cathedral costs money; the Cathedral needs a lot of money,” cathedral administrator Clemens van de Ven said. “Naturally, the admission fee of €12 is, therefore, more than welcome.”

Provost Guido Assmann said the cathedral administration had considered public feedback before finalising the decision.

“Alongside the critical voices a great deal of understanding feedback also reached us, which made clear: Many people are aware that the maintenance and upkeep of the cathedral requires reliable and sustainable financing,” Assmann said.

Church officials said some visitors, including children, will be exempt from the fee. Discounts or free entry will also be offered on selected dates, including January 6, May 1 and October 3.

The cathedral will continue to provide free access for worshippers. Under the new arrangement, visitors entering through the northern entrance will be able to access a designated prayer area without charge, while tourists wishing to explore the full building through the main western entrance will require a ticket.

Assmann acknowledged there was “a danger” that some people might attempt to bypass the admission fee but said the church would rely on visitors’ goodwill rather than imposing strict controls.

While most churches in Germany remain free to enter, several major European religious sites charge admission fees, including Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral and London’s Westminster Abbey.

By Aghakazim Guliyev