German110f11: World Heritage Sites in Germany - Homework

The Cologne Cathedral started to be built in 1248 and was finished over 600 years later. The church is among the largest churches in the world, and is the largest in Europe. “Clip: In 1996, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites. End clip.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral. 8/30/2011). Since the cathedral has seen so many years, under construction and completed state, there have been many renovations. “Clip: During World War II the cathedral suffered tremendous damage during air-raids: no fewer than fourteen heavy bombs reduced it to a pitiful state. Restoration and reconstruction work rendered the chevet usable in time for the centenary celebrations in 1948, but the remainder of the building was not restored fully until 1956. End clip.” (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/292 . 8/30/2011). Der Dom was under construction and seems to have been most of the time it has stood, and is finished as of today. The cathedral is a historical site that has been through many important events in and is a “clip: renowned monument in German Catholicism. End clip.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral. 8/30/2011). The tourist site is a good example of all of German architecture: “Clip: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Historicist styles. End clip.” (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/wartburg-castle. 8/30/2011). .This site is a beautiful place and would be interesting to visit and find more information about.

The Wartburg Castle was founded in 1067 AD by Duke Ludwig.  This site has also gone under construction several times due to every day wear from weather and other outside forces. There has been a lot of preservation work on this ideal castle that is located in the middle of a forest. “Clip: It is rich in cultural associations, most notably its role as the place of exile of Martin Luther, who composed his German translation of the New Testament there. It is also a powerful symbol of German integration and unity. End clip.” (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/897. 8/30/2011). To see the inside, you have to set up a guided tour. The architecture of the Wartburg Castle is amazing and is one-of-a-kind. This site is also a pretty building and would be fun to visit and learn more about.
For me, I would like to learn more about the Cologne Cathedral because there seems to be more information about it. All of the pictures I have seen of both tourist sites are amazing and I have never seen anything similar, yet the cathedral is more appealing because it is more elaborate and because how long it has been around.