January 6 is Epiphany, or also Three Kings Day. It is the twelfth day of Christmas, and celebrates the coming of the Magi; the Three Wise Men visiting Jesus.
Today’s first book (of three) is “Der Kolner Dom 1258 – 1948” (the Cologne Cathedral Cathedral Celebrating 700 years). It is a German book from 1948, describing the history of the cathedral. While I could decipher only some of it, the photographs were easy enough. Interesting were some pictures of the fourteen hits by U.S. bombers during the war.
I visited the cathedral several years ago. It is the tallest gothic church in Europe. Inside is the Shrine of the Three Kings. It is a reliquary-a triple sarcophagus, containing the relics of the Magi. According to legend, the bones of the Three Kings were originally found and housed by Constantinople, but were then moved to Milon in the year 314. In 1164, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa gave them to the Archbishop of Cologne. The cathedral was built to house those bones of Melchior, Casper, and Balthazar. It is quite a shrine.
I also climbed up to the bell tower to see the bells, including the St. Peterglocke, the largest free spinning bell in the world, weighing 24 tons. Was able to see, and hear, the bells (all eleven) ring while up there. Though it sounded like a good idea at the time, listening to those bells ring, and have the sound reverberate off of eight foot thick stone walls, caused my ears to ring for several days. While I have always been an enthusiastic traveler, I have not always been a smart one.
The last two books are also about Cologne. While the subject is not as old as the church, it is rather old. Kolnish Wasser, Cologne perfume has been around since 1792. The main cologne is still made right around the corner from the cathedral. It is called 4711, named after the house number, when Napoleon’s army numbered all of the building during occupation. One book is “Kolnisch Wasser” by Herbert Sinz, 1985. It is a German book about the history of the perfume.
The other is a booklet of photographs given to those from the company of 4711 perfume – Mulhens, at a business meeting to commemorate the 160 years of 4711 perfume. It is simply titled “160 years 4711. 1792 – 1952”. There is no author or publishing info. The photographs are real black and white pictures that are mounted to the pamphlet. Descriptions and leadership names printed under the photographs are dated October 5, 1952.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday. I hoped you enjoyed the tour. Remember to read up before trips, and then even more after you return.
Librarytomes 