Richter-Fenster

The Richter-Fenster (Richter-Window) is a stained glass window designed by renowned German artist Gerhard Richter in the always breathtaking Gothic Cathedral in Cologne . It was officially inaugurated on the 25th of October 2007 to much celebration as well as criticism. It consists of 11,263 glass squares in 72 colours, all 9.6 x 9.6 cm in size covering a massive 106sqm in total.

The last time I was there and took this picture (October ‘25) I overheard a tour guide saying how this window was hugely controversial so I just shook my head an mumbled some words I’d better not repeat on here. Personally I’m a big fan of the juxtaposition of old and new in any building but it rarely works better than in churches, be it contemporary works in an old church or old works in a more contemporary church. So next time you find yourself in Cologne make sure you go and judge for yourself.