Starting July 1, tourists visiting the historic Cologne Cathedral in Germany will be required to pay 12 euros.

An admission fee is being introduced for the historic Cologne Cathedral in Germany, which stands 157 meters tall. Accordingly, starting July 1, tourists wishing to visit the cathedral will be charged a 12-euro admission fee. It was stated that the admission fee is necessary to cover the cathedral’s maintenance, security, and daily operating costs, with the building’s annual maintenance costs amounting to 16 million euros—approximately 44,000 euros per day. Visitors attending services, praying, or lighting candles will be able to enter for free through separate entrance areas to be established.

Entry to most churches in Germany is free, though there are exceptions such as Berlin Cathedral. There, visitors also pay a 15-euro entrance fee.