This was an excursion that I’d wanted to sign up for before we left but I was really the only one of us who wanted to do it so I decided I would skip it. I’d read online in Viking forums that I could do it on my own for 5 euros which was much cheaper than the excursion pricing. I had told myself I would just wait and see what the day would bring and try to “run” up the 500+ steps to catch the views.

Early on in our cruise, Gavin had gone over some of the still open excursions and when he discussed Top of Cologne and Linda encouraged me to do it I basically ran to guest services to sign up. Greg, despite being afraid of heights, said he would go along with me.

I felt fortunate to be able to book because there was a limit of 12 people who could go.

There had been several references to the 500 steps throughout the tour so Linda and Carey had decided they weren’t interested in going. As we departed for the tour I told Carey he wouldn’t recognize us coming back all fit and skinny after all those steps.

This tour was nothing like what I expected. It was so much more. Unfortunately I can’t share the numerous pictures I took because they ask for none of the to be shared on social media. I can however share them with closed groups or family members so if anyone is interested in more details you know where to find me. I’m happy to share all my vacation photos…even the embarrassing ones. 🙂

Will try to do my best to explain how the day went but there’s just no way to do this actual justice.

To start we took a rickety construction elevator up the scaffolding 83 feet in the air where we departed onto a wood plank walkway along the scaffolding on the outside of the Cathedral. I kind of thought Greg might shit himself, he wasn’t alone. There was at least one other man who was also holding on for dear life. This tour would never ever be allowed in the US.

Our tour guide, Daniella, was absolutely amazing. We made our way inside, outside, along ridges, in attics, in storage rooms. It was truly a behind the scenes experience that I never would have gotten on my own after climbing the steps.

Daniella provided us with lots of history of the church. One of my favorite tidbits is that they have an entire process of replacing statues when needed. They have large plaster molds that they keep in storage that are used to do this. Several years ago they decided to give the workers the freedom to make their own molds so they ended up with soccer players, statues that looked like the workers wives, and one called Tony on the phone. In the 90’s workers were given cellphones to use and one of these, Tony, became obsessed with his phone and was often seen chatting on his old style Nokia phone with antenna. When Tony retired, they made a mold of him talking and gave it to him for his retirement.

Tony is still alive and in his 90’s. As we were leaving the Cathedral and headed toward the elevator, Daniella pointed out where a version of Tony on the phone was placed on the Cathedral. These personal statues are placed outside the view of the public and definitely adds a little personality.

One other interesting note, several stones would include the date when certain sections are finished. This was the first time on our trip we have seen anything with a swastika. There were several stones that included that over the date. There was some discussion as to whether these should be removed but the decision was made to keep them until the stone itself needs to be replaced. Of note, none of these are within the public view.

This was the most amazing tour and experience Greg and I have been on. I’m sad that Carey and Linda missed it. We are already looking at options in the future that would bring us back to Cologne on Viking to see if we could all catch the tour again.