Domschatzkammer Köln

About the museum

The Cologne Cathedral treasury grew over many centuries from donations by the archbishops, the cathedral chapter, and the faithful. It owes its importance not least to the transfer of the relics of the Three Kings to Cologne in 1164, which made the cathedral one of Europe's great pilgrimage sites. For a long time, the treasures were kept in the sacristy and smaller rooms of the cathedral and shown only to a limited extent.

A severe setback was the 1975 burglary: numerous pieces were lost or melted down, including a precious pax (kiss tablet) owned by Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg; the Baroque treasury monstrance of 1657 was later reconstructed.

The current Domschatzkammer opened on October 21, 2000. Following plans by architect Bernd Billecke, excavated 13th-century cellar vaults on the north side of the cathedral – including a space about ten meters high beneath the Sacrament Chapel – were converted into six exhibition rooms on three levels with about 500 square meters. The entrance is a cube clad in bronze panels, whose design in front of the Gothic north facade was hotly debated at the opening.

Around 300 objects from the 4th to the 20th century are on display: reliquaries, liturgical objects and vestments, insignia of the archbishops, manuscripts, medieval sculptures, and finds from Frankish graves beneath the cathedral. The permanent exhibition is complemented by changing special presentations – for its 25th anniversary in 2025, for example, one on the restoration of the Suitbertus shrine from Kaiserswerth.

Highlights

• St. Peter's staff with a late antique ivory handle from the 4th century
• Baroque treasury monstrance of 1657
• Baroque shrine of St. Engelbert
• Capella Clementina – splendid vestments of Elector Clemens August
• Finds from the Frankish graves beneath the cathedral
• Medieval vaulted cellars from the 13th century

Permanent exhibitions

• Der Kölner Domschatz – Around 300 objects in six vaulted rooms: reliquaries, liturgical objects, vestments, and insignia of the archbishops of Cologne from late antiquity to the 20th century.
• Frankengräber unter dem Kölner Dom – Grave goods from the early medieval Frankish graves discovered during excavations beneath the cathedral.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Metropolitankapitel der Hohen Domkirche Köln

Admission & discounts

Members of the Zentral-Dombau-Verein get free admission. Since July 1, 2026, visiting the cathedral itself costs a separate €12 (reduced €6); attending services and prayer in the north transept remain free. Tickets online (max. 9 per booking, up to 3 months in advance) or at the central ticket office in the Kurienhaus. museen.koeln still lists the reduced price for people with disabilities, while the official cathedral website lists free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free entrance, elevators to the lower levels. Wheelchair users can reach the Domplatte (cathedral plaza) via the Domgässchen; the cathedral stewards (Domschweizer) help if needed. For the cathedral, there is a tactile relief book, a bronze tactile model in front of the Petersportal, and tours for blind people and in Leichte Sprache (easy-to-read German).

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

The entrance cube (Heiltumskammer) also houses a cathedral shop. Large luggage must be locked away; hiking backpacks and large suitcases are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit