Visiting Cologne Cathedral in Germany will now cost 12 euros

Entering Cologne Cathedral outside religious services will cost 12 euros for an adult from July, its canons announced on Tuesday June 2, justifying the end of free admission by the maintenance costs of the monument listed as a world heritage site.

“The new visitor fee is not used to make a profit but to ensure the very survival of the cathedral” at the interview “coûteux”, justified his treasurer Clemens van de Ven in a press release from the chapter, the college of canons which manages the church. In addition to current costs, it also highlights the need to build up “réserves” face “to future requirements”.

A masterpiece of Gothic art whose construction took six centuries, from the 13th to the 19th century, the cathedral is one of the most famous Catholic churches in the world. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996, it welcomes six million visitors annually.

At the beginning of March, the announcement of an entry fee to cope with the increase in maintenance costs – 16 million euros this year, despite the reduction in staff from 100 to 85 employees – sparked a lively debate. The former chief architect of the monument had notably estimated that the building would lose its appearance “missionary”, open to all, and would resemble “more than a museum”, only visited by wealthy people.

A debate which recalled the one which took place in France, at the end of 2024: Rachida Dati, then Minister of Culture, had suggested establishing an entrance fee of 5 euros to Notre-Dame-de-Paris to finance the restoration of national religious heritage. But the diocese was opposed to it, insisting on the principle of free access defended by the Catholic Church of France. How is this happening elsewhere in Europe? In the Vatican, entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. Same in Milan, for the famous Duomo, it is a place of worship where everyone is free to worship, but certain sections are subject to payment and in particular its terraces. In Portugal, there is an entrance fee to Lisbon Cathedral, commonly called Sé de Lisboa (5 euros for adults.) “The value of tickets”, explains the document for the attention of visitors, “is donated to the maintenance and protection of Lisbon Cathedral”. On the other hand, there is a free access space reserved for prayer and worship.

On Tuesday, the dean of the Cologne Cathedral chapter, Mgr Guido Assmann, quoted in the press release, stressed that the chapter had “followed the public debate carefully” and echoed the public’s numerous requests to exempt children. Those under 13, like disabled people, will therefore not pay to visit the nave, nor the treasury and the tower, which were already chargeable for everyone. Adolescents, apprentices and students will have a reduced rate (6 euros).

L’accès à la cathédrale restera “completely free” for services and major Catholic holidays and the faithful will also be able to access the north transept outside of masses. The cathedral will be open free of charge on two non-religious holidays, May 1 and October 3.