Cologne Cathedral to charge tourists for entry - Cologne Cathedral to Charge Tourists an Entry Fee by Late 2024
Cologne Cathedral, one of the world's most famous Catholic churches, will introduce an entry fee in the second half of this year. The decision comes as maintenance costs rise, with this year's expenses expected to hit €16 million. Worshippers attending services will still enter for free, but tourists will soon need to pay for global entry.
The cathedral, home to the relics of the Three Wise Men, draws around six million visitors each year. Officials say the fee is essential to fund ongoing preservation work. Without it, maintaining the historic building would become even harder.
The exact cost of admission has not yet been set. Meanwhile, the cathedral's workshop has already cut staff numbers from 100 to 85 in an effort to reduce expenses. Despite these measures, rising costs have forced the introduction of the new charge.
Church leaders stress that the fee will not apply to those attending religious services. The move aims to balance financial sustainability with the cathedral's role as a place of worship.
The entry fee will help cover the cathedral's growing maintenance costs. Visitors will still be able to explore the site, but with a small charge from later this year. The change reflects the financial pressures of preserving a landmark that remains central to Cologne's heritage.
