This monument is visited by 6 million tourists annually. This is the last moment for free sightseeing

Cologne Cathedral is a masterpiece that every tourist should see once in their life. Now there is a great opportunity to do so, because entry will be free until the end of June. Then those interested will have to pay a considerable fee, which will cover the costs of maintaining the temple. Although a few months ago there was talk of an amount of EUR 10, it finally settled on EUR 12. For people for whom spending the equivalent of PLN 50 is too much of an investment, there will be a small, free zone for the faithful.

Changes in the German cathedral. There will be fees

This is the end of the free tour of the Cologne Cathedral. One of the largest churches in the world, whose construction took six centuries, today must protect its heritage from the onslaught of tourists. Fees are a way to preserve the temple’s priceless treasures in the best possible condition. And as it turns out, these are not just small, symbolic amounts.

From July 1, visitors, regardless of nationality, will pay as much as 12 euros for admission. “This amount is slightly higher than the ceiling of EUR 10 proposed in March by architect Barbara Schock-Werner, head of the Central Association for the Construction of Cathedrals,” writes Deutsche Welle.

There are exceptions

The fee will not apply to children, but no upper age limit has been set. It is also known that free entries will be possible on some church and state holidays. Of course, free admission will continue for believers coming to pray, but up to 99 percent people coming to the Cathedral are tourists.

In the future, the managers plan to separate the entrances. “Through the northern entrance, people will still have access to a small part of the cathedral intended for prayer. At the main entrance on the western side, visitors will have to buy a ticket that will allow them to see the interior of the entire building,” we read.