The Richter-Fenster Cologne
Come to my window...
The Richter-Fenster is a work of art, a stained glass window in the southern nave of the Kölner Dom cathedral. It is so famous that many visitors only come to the church to see that window. I too love to go see the Richter-Fenster with relatives & friends – even if they have been to the Dom many times before. Like me, they are fascinated by the history and the facts about the window. The oldest window in the Dom is from 1260 and the Richter-Fenster was inaugurated in 2007. The men of the Cologne Dom charter were looking for a new design for that spot, and at the end Gerhard Richter from Dresden, born 1932, got the job. The art works of the painter, sculptor and photographer are amongst the most expensive of a currently living artist, but in this case he worked for free.
The Richter-Fenster is spread over 106 square meters and is made of 11,263 pieces of glass in the 72 different colours that also appear in the other windows of the Dom. With a computer, the artist created a random pattern, while lines 1 & 3, 2 & 5, and 4 & 6 mirror each other.
The former cardinal didn’t like the artwork so much -- he even considered moving his seat in the church to look the other way.
The Press wrote : “The impression is spectacular. A huge abstract picture. Held by the 20m long struts... it appears to float.”
Enjoy a meditative artwork in a meditative space.
(Accessible at any time during opening hours - except during church services.)
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Cologne
Bei Oma Kleinmann
Home of the Schnitzel
"Bei Oma Kleinmann" is one of my favourite restaurants in Cologne. I make sure to go there when I am really hungry, because their Schnitzels are just huge.
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Nextbike/KVB-Rad
I want to ride a bicycle
"Nextbike/KVB-Rad" is a bike sharing system in Cologne that's integrated with KVB, the mass transit system. Just 1€/hour - that's it!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Bona'me
Our house!
"Bona'me" is a Kurdish restaurant in Cologne that means 'our house', and it does look like that. It has a delicious self-service concept with many dishes!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
RheinEnergieStadion
A stadium like a living room
"RheinEnergieStadion" in Cologne is the home stadium for FC Köln - I love going there for games with some friends with a bratwurst and a delicious Kölsch!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Music Store
Play alalalalong
"Music Store" Cologne: only the biggest one in Europe! They don't only have 3-4 guitars - they even have a bistro, because you'll want to stay long here.
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Wo ist Tom?
The coffe-cake-concept
"Wo ist Tom?" is more than just a great cafe in Cologne. Its food menu is ridiculously extensive, and I love how it also does social work!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Schlosspark Stammheim
Park & art
"Schlosspark Stammheim" in Cologne is a nice quiet park a bit out of town. I come here not only to enjoy the peace, but mostly for the art installations...
by
Stephan
Wehrle
NOGALLERY
3D Typography
"NOGALLERY" is a small souvenir shop/gallery in Cologne that makes its own delicate laser cut words, phrases, graphics and even skylines. Beautiful!
by
Julia
Krakau
Funkhaus
Meeting place for journalists
"Funkhaus" in Cologne is a great idea if you're looking for a pleasant coffee or snack spot away from chain stores. I like the 'WDR' decoration the most...
by
Julia
Krakau
Südstadion Flea Market
Trash or treasures
"Südstadion flea market" Cologne is the market I like most. It is only once a month, on the first Sunday. But maybe that's what makes it special.
by
Gol
Ebrahimpour-Mirzaie
Heading to Cologne?
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Cologne
Get to know our other Spotters from Cologne
As featured on:
