The German religious building, which welcomes six million visitors per year, justifies this new fee by the need to “ensure the survival” of the monument. Children benefit from free admission, as do the faithful during services.
Entering the famous Cologne Cathedral outside religious services will cost 12 euros for an adult from July, its canons announced on Tuesday, 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 “future requirements”.
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Masterpiece of Gothic art whose construction took six centuries, from the 13the in the 19th centuryethe 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.
The same debate as at Notre-Dame de Paris
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 located in North Rhine-Westphalia had notably estimated that the building would lose its appearancet “missionary”open to all, and would resemble “davantage à un museum”only visited by wealthy people.
François BOUCHON / Le Figaro
A debate reminiscent of that which took place in France at the end of 2024. Rachida Dati, then Minister of Culture, suggested establishing an entrance fee of 5 euros to Notre-Dame de Paris to finance the restoration of national religious heritage. The diocese was opposed to it, insisting on the principle of free access defended by the Catholic Church of France.
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Notre-Dame: the Church firmly opposes any paid access
“Completely free” during services
On Tuesday, the dean of the Cologne Cathedral chapter, Monsignor Guido Assmann, quoted in the press release, stressed that the chapter had “closely followed the public debate” and listened to the many 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).
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L’accès à la cathédrale restera “entirely gratuitous” 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.
