Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Thursday 28 March |
Holy Thursday of the Supper of the Lord
Aleteia logo
Art & Culture
separateurCreated with Sketch.

This city celebrates the Feast of the Three Kings twice a year

COLOGNE CATHEDRAL,KOLN GERMANY

Loris Paleari | CC

Daniel Esparza - published on 07/21/17

Not all Magi arrive in January.

Please consider a gift for Aleteia!
Help us spread the joy of Christ's victory.
Aleteia depends on your support.

Join our Lenten Campaign 2024.

DONATE NOW

In addition to the Feast of the Epiphany celebrated in January, when we read of the arrival of the Magi (traditionally called the Three Kings or Three Wise Men) to worship the Child Jesus, the German city of Cologne celebrates another feast of the Three Kings — the anniversary of the arrival of the Magi’s relics in the city. This feast has been celebrated in Cologne every July 23 for more than 900 years.

The relics traditionally identified as those of the Magi were taken from Milan to Cologne by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I “Barbarossa,” who in turn gave them to the archbishop of the city, Reinaldo de Dassel, in 1164. Since then, the relics have attracted a constant flow of pilgrims to the city.

The reliquary of the Three Kings was designed by the famous medieval goldsmith Nicolas de Verdun, who began to work on the project in 1180. It is decorated with several gold sculptures representing the prophets and apostles, as well as scenes from the life of Christ. The sanctuary was completed around 1225.

In 1199, King Otto gave this church three gold crowns, symbolizing the three Magi. Due to the importance of the sanctuary and the cathedral for the later development of the city, these three crowns are included in the city’s coat of arms.

Tags:
ArtChurch HistoryTravel
Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.