Shrine of the Three Kings – Cologne, Germany - Atlas Obscura
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Shrine of the Three Kings

Cologne Cathedral
Cologne, Germany

The bones of the Biblical Magi traveled to Constantinople and Milan before landing in their current home inside an elaborate golden reliquary in the Cologne Cathedral. 

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Three Kings Reliquary Welleschik / CC BY-SA 3.0
Three Kings Reliquary Welleschik / CC BY-SA 3.0
Three Kings Reliquary in Cologne Cathedral Hugh Llewelyn / CC BY-SA 2.0
Dreikönigenschrein Adam Molata / CC BY-SA 3.0
Back end of the reliquary astropelusa (Atlas Obscura User)
Reliquary of the Magi on January 6, when the front-facing end is partly open. The names "Kaspar, Melchor, Baltasar" can be read and just beyond, inside, the crowned skulls. astropelusa (Atlas Obscura User)
Front of the reliquary as seen most days of the year (except Jan 6). astropelusa (Atlas Obscura User)
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The bones of the Magi have traded hands many times over history and have slowly made their way north. 

They were first found by Helena, mother of Constantine I, who was an avid collector of holy relics. She found many relics during her search (including an alleged portion of the cross) and was said to have discovered the grave of the Three Wise Men. She brought the remains back to Constantinople and gave them to Milanese Bishop Eustorgius in 314 who brought them back to Milan Italy in an ox cart.

In 1162, Milan was besieged and fell to Cologne Archbishop Rainald von Dassel, who took the relic as spoils of war before he was chased back to Germany.

The current gold box containing the remains was built between 1180 and 1225 by medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun.

The Cologne cathedral was built to house the precious relics, and took over 600 years to build. On July 20, 1864, the gold box was opened and human remains and coins were found inside. It was re-sealed and has not been opened since.

Know Before You Go

Access to the cathedral is free.


The front end of the reliquary is partly open on January 6 every year (Magi feast), and if one gets close to the it, it is possible to see a section of each of the three skulls.

cathedral relics relics and reliquaries bones saints christianity
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