COLOGNE, Germany - Part II

In my previous post I shared photos of the exterior of the magnificent 

Gothic Cologne Cathedral, the largest in northern Europe, here are 

photos I took of the splendid interior.

Entering Cologne Cathedral took my breath away. First, one feels incredibly small 

beneath the 140 foot ceilings. It was light and bright with numerous soaring stained 
glass windows, paintings, frescoes, statues, carvings, and hanging tapestries, artifacts 
in silver and gold. 

There was no evidence of the darkness of the Gothic exterior, the eye was 

immediately struck by color and light everywhere.

After feasting my eyes on beauty whilst looking up, around and about, on reaching 

the choir I suddenly looked down where my feet stood on what to me were the most 

exquisite mosaic floors. 

These were so beautiful and the work to create the meticulous designs

must have have taken many artists years - there were so many areas covered.

I really loved the natural things depicted in the designs - acorns and oak leaves, 

grapevines bearing fruit,  ivy twining, even the thistles of Scotland with the 

English Tudor Rose in the center (above), which I admit I've only just noticed in my photo.

Via Cologne Cathedral 

Cologne Cathedral Floor Mosaic Floor Plan

The floor, completed in 1899, measures 1,350 square metres and is the largest 

work of art in the cathedral. 

It covers three main themes, each of which is portrayed in a different 

part of the choir: the history of the archdiocese takes up the entire ambulatory and

 features names and coats of arms of bishops and archbishops; the Christian world

order and humankind are portrayed in the inner choir; and the cosmos is depicted

 in the crossing

The entire cathedral is gorgeous - having a chance to view, even though our time 

was brief, was time well spent and memorable. Once again, Germany's 

beautiful architecture and art came through - noticed in the smallest village 

house to the largest place of worship.