Shrine of the Three Kings – Cologne, Germany - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Shrine of the Three Kings

Cologne Cathedral
Cologne, Germany

The bones of the Biblical Magi traveled to Constantinople and Milan before landing in their current home inside an elaborate golden reliquary in the Cologne Cathedral. 

View all photos
Three Kings Reliquary Welleschik / CC BY-SA 3.0
Three Kings Reliquary Welleschik / CC BY-SA 3.0
Three Kings Reliquary in Cologne Cathedral Hugh Llewelyn / CC BY-SA 2.0
Dreikönigenschrein Adam Molata / CC BY-SA 3.0
13
14
Top Places in Cologne
The Golden Chamber at St. Ursula
Church of St. Ursula
Cologne, Germany
Cologne's Love Locks Bridge
Cologne, Germany
St. Petersglocke
Cologne, Germany
 See All

The bones of the Magi have traded hands many times over history and have slowly made their way north. 

They were first found by Helena, mother of Constantine I, who was an avid collector of holy relics. She found many relics during her search (including an alleged portion of the cross) and was said to have discovered the grave of the Three Wise Men. She brought the remains back to Constantinople and gave them to Milanese Bishop Eustorgius in 314 who brought them back to Milan Italy in an ox cart.

In 1162, Milan was besieged and fell to Cologne Archbishop Rainald von Dassel, who took the relic as spoils of war before he was chased back to Germany.

The current gold box containing the remains was built between 1180 and 1225 by medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun.

The Cologne cathedral was built to house the precious relics, and took over 600 years to build. On July 20, 1864, the gold box was opened and human remains and coins were found inside. It was re-sealed and has not been opened since.

Know Before You Go

Access to the cathedral is free.

cathedral relics bones relics and reliquaries saints christianity
Nearby
St. Petersglocke
0.01 miles
Papa Joe's Biersalon Klimperkasten
0.19 miles
Tünnes und Schäl
0.25 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Cologne, Germany

St. Petersglocke

The largest bell in the world has been swinging high above a Cologne cathedral for almost a century.
The self-playing musical marionettes.
Cologne, Germany

Papa Joe's Biersalon Klimperkasten

If the tunes of antique organs and musical marionettes don't intoxicate you, the draft beer certainly will.
Cologne, Germany

Tünnes und Schäl

Life-sized bronze statues of fictional puppet characters.
Close up of some of the 40,000 padlocks of love.
Cologne, Germany

Cologne's Love Locks Bridge

Thousands of tourists and residents in Cologne affix "love padlocks" on the Hohenzollernbrücke Bridge to symbolize their affections.
Related Places
The relics include a skull and other bones.
Madrid, Spain

Relics of St. Valentine at Iglesia de San Antón

Inside this church are the alleged remains of the patron saint of lovers, epileptics, and beekeepers.
The dragon bones seen hanging behind the altar.
Venice, Italy

'Dragon Bones' of Santa Maria e San Donato

Hanging within this medieval church are the bones of a beast allegedly slain by a fourth-century saint.
Velha Goa, India

Museum of Christian Art

Located within a 17th-century convent, this museum features centuries-old Christian art pieces that meld European and Asian influences.
A church altar of sculpted amber saints that seems to float at the front of the church
Gdańsk, Poland

St. Bridget's Church

One of the world's largest amber altarpieces is housed within this reconstructed medieval church.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web