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Former Cologne Cathedral architect criticizes new entrance fee and shorter hours
🇩🇪 Germany /Culture & Society

Former Cologne Cathedral architect criticizes new entrance fee and shorter hours

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The former chief architect of Cologne Cathedral, Barbara Schock-Werner, criticizes the new, shorter opening hours after the introduction of a 12 Euro entrance fee.
  • She argues the reduced hours make the cathedral feel more like a museum and less welcoming, particularly to locals and commuters.
  • The cathedral chapter cites increased costs for maintenance and operation as reasons for the fee, with free access still available for worshippers in a separate area.

Cologne Cathedral's new 12 Euro entrance fee has drawn criticism from Barbara Schock-Werner, former chief architect and current president of the Central Cathedral Building Association. She argues that the reduced opening hours, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., make the iconic landmark feel more like a museum and less like a welcoming space.

The cathedral used to signal from early morning until late evening to all people: You are welcome.

— Barbara Schock-WernerDescribing the previous accessibility of Cologne Cathedral.

"The cathedral used to signal from early morning until late evening to all people: You are welcome," Schock-Werner told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. "Now, however, the doors on the cathedral's facade are bolted for many hours – especially during the times when countless people are around the cathedral, particularly locals and commuters on their way to work or home."

Now, however, the doors on the cathedral's facade are bolted for many hours – especially during the times when countless people are around the cathedral, particularly locals and commuters on their way to work or home.

— Barbara Schock-WernerCriticizing the new, restricted opening hours.

Schock-Werner, who served as chief architect from 1999 to 2012, expressed dismay at the change. She believes the closed doors send a message of exclusion. "Closed doors are a sign. The cathedral appears unwelcoming. That is a fatal symbol, and I find it terrible," she stated. She noted that many locals used to visit for brief moments of reflection before or after work, a practice now impossible.

Closed doors are a sign. The cathedral appears unwelcoming. That is a fatal symbol, and I find it terrible.

— Barbara Schock-WernerExpressing her strong disapproval of the new policy's impact.

While Schock-Werner acknowledges that the atmosphere inside has become more pleasant due to fewer crowds, she also points to issues for worshippers. The entrance for prayer is difficult to access due to ongoing construction on the cathedral square. "It's as if the responsible parties don't want people to come into the cathedral," she remarked, observing a significant decrease in worshippers, even during midday prayers.

It's as if the responsible parties don't want people to come into the cathedral.

— Barbara Schock-WernerCommenting on the difficult access for worshippers due to construction.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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