The Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral
The Shrine of the Three Kings is a reliquary for the relics that church tradition honours as the remains of the Three Kings, also called the Magi. They were brought from Milan to Cologne in 1164. The shrine that holds them was made by goldsmiths in the decades around 1200 and is a work of medieval goldsmith art in gold, silver, gems and enamel.
You find it inside the cathedral, behind the medieval high altar. It is not in the treasury, and you see it as part of the interior visit. There is no separate shrine ticket. Since 1 July 2026 the tourist visit of the interior costs €12, or €6 reduced, and children up to and including 13 years go in free. See our Cologne Cathedral tickets page for the full price list.
How the shrine was made
Gold, silver, gems and enamel.
The workshops
The shrine goes back to the workshop of Nikolaus von Verdun and to later goldsmith workshops in Cologne and the Meuse region.
The materials
Gold and silver figures, gilding, filigree, precious and semi-precious stones, antique gems and cameos, and enamel. Look for the gold and silver figures and the densely set, jewelled surface.
The dating
The work is dated to about 1190 to 1220. The dating varies by decades, because the shrine was finished over a long time. Treat any single year with care.
Our pick: legends in German
Stories and legends from around the cathedral on a German-language walk.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Cologne Cathedral tours and tickets
Guided visits and tickets that include the interior, with live prices and availability.
The shrine's history since 1164
In 1164 the relics came from Milan to Cologne. The relics made Cologne a pilgrimage destination, and the Three Kings pilgrimage still marks the tradition. The shrine itself was made in stages around 1200.
In 1794 the shrine was taken out of the city to escape French troops. Afterwards it was shortened. Between 1961 and 1973 it was restored and brought back largely to its original form. What you see today is the result of that work.
How to see the shrine
Practical points for your visit.
Where it stands
Behind the high altar in the choir. Walk toward the front of the cathedral. The shrine is not in the treasury.
When to go
The tourist visit runs Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:45 and on Sundays and church holidays from 13:30 to 16:30. During services parts of the church are closed. See the opening hours page.
Admission around Epiphany
No interior ticket is needed on the days from Epiphany to the following Sunday and for the Three Kings pilgrimage. The same applies on 1 May, 3 October and on the Night of Open Churches. That does not make the tower or the treasury free.
Seeing it up close
Do not count on a view of every side at every hour. Areas can be closed during services or works.
Relics and belief
What the shrine is, and what it is not.
The shrine holds relics that Christians honour as those of the Three Kings. This is a matter of faith and church tradition. It is not a scientific identification of the remains, and this page does not present it as one. Many visitors come for the goldsmith art, many for the pilgrimage, and many for both. The cathedral stays a place of prayer while you look.
Seeing the shrine with a guide
A guided visit helps with the details.
The public interior tours last 60 minutes and cost €8 for adults and €6 reduced, in German and in English. The interior admission is extra. Guides can point out the figures and the gems that are easy to miss on your own. For all options see our Cologne Cathedral tours page. Booking ahead is wise in busy seasons, and security checks apply as for every visit.
More inside the cathedral
Other works worth finding on the same visit.
Shrine of the Three Kings: frequently asked questions
Where is the Shrine of the Three Kings?
In Cologne Cathedral, behind the high altar. It is not in the treasury.
Do I need a separate ticket for the shrine?
No. You see it as part of the interior visit, which costs €12 for adults and €6 reduced in 2026. Children up to and including 13 years are free.
Who made the Shrine of the Three Kings?
Goldsmiths in the workshop of Nikolaus von Verdun and later workshops in Cologne and the Meuse region. The main work dates from about 1190 to 1220.
When did the relics come to Cologne?
In 1164, from Milan.
Are the relics really those of the Three Kings?
That is a matter of church tradition and faith. It is not a scientific proof of identity.
Was the shrine damaged?
It was shortened after the flight from French troops in 1794 and restored between 1961 and 1973, largely to its original form.