VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

Another cathedral? – the Altenberger or Bergische Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral is situated in the hectic center of the city, but just 20 km northwest there is another cathedral, in the middle of a quiet, remote valley, where there would be only a little traffic, if not for the cathedral. Busses and cars, and most of all motor bikers and bikers love this pleasure resort. The Berggische Cathedral, besides having a surreal location in the green, a well loved meeting point…. Within its walls one finds peace, silence, mystique and meditation. The building in gothic style was a donation of the earls and later Dukes of Berg, their ancestral seat being here before they moved into the still existing Castle “Schloss Berg” near Solingen. Actually, this building isn´t an official cathedral as there hadn´t been or isn´t a bishop belonging to the church. The monastery church got the name “Cathedral” in the vernacular due to its size and beauty. Especially impressing is the West window, the biggest gothic church window north of the Alps. The surrounding is also attractive and invites to long walks, besides there are wonderful church concerts on Sundays.