Cologne Cathedral to Charge USD14 Entry from July

(MENAFN) Visitors to Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany's most iconic landmarks, will face a €12 ($14) admission fee beginning this July, church officials announced — marking a historic shift for the UNESCO-listed Gothic marvel that draws an estimated 6 million tourists annually.

Cathedral administrator Clemens van de Ven said the decision was driven by financial necessity, revealing that the towering medieval structure costs a staggering €44,000 ($51,000) per day to operate — a figure propelled by escalating maintenance, security, and operational expenses that can no longer be absorbed without visitor contributions.

Tourists are being urged to plan ahead. Online ticket sales open June 15, with bookings available up to three months in advance. Those without digital access will retain the option to purchase tickets at a dedicated cathedral office near the site.

The new pricing structure includes a range of exemptions. Children aged 13 and under, individuals with severe disabilities, and their designated companions will enter free of charge. A discounted €6 ($7) ticket will be extended to students aged 14 and older, apprentices, and university students.

Church leaders were emphatic that the cathedral's sacred function will not be compromised by commercialization. Entry will remain free for worshippers attending services, those praying privately, or visitors lighting candles — with separate access points to be established inside the monumental structure to accommodate them. Free admission will also be offered during select church holidays and special events.

Officials expressed confidence that visitor numbers would hold steady despite the new charge.

The announcement has nonetheless sparked a backlash, with critics — including former cathedral architect Barbara Schock-Werner — questioning whether one of Europe's most beloved spiritual landmarks should carry a price tag.

"A visit to the cathedral shouldn't only be possible for the well-off," Schock-Werner told German public broadcaster WDR. "For me, there must also be spaces free of commerce."

Schock-Werner added that she would have preferred an alternative funding model, such as a foundation or a dedicated support fund — a sentiment likely shared by many among the city's faithful and its broader community.

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