Rededication of the Cologne Cathedral (October 15, 1880)

This rededication of the Cologne Cathedral, whose final stage of building had begun decades earlier under Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, was attended by Kaiser Wilhelm I and his wife, Kaiserin Augusta, both of whom can be seen at the center of this contemporary photograph. Considerable planning, money, and effort must have gone into the construction of the ceremonial stage and visitors’ gallery, which overwhelm the town square pictured here. Multi-tiered seating was even provided for those dignitaries willing to perch on rooftops.

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© Bildarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz