gothic architecture

Heart Holes: Some are God Shaped

Kölner Dom, Riẞ F. One of the surviving medieval architectural drawings of the Cologne Cathedral.

Why do cathedral attract our attention?

Cathedrals remain top global tourist attractions by combining gravity-defying Gothic architecture with tangible, "living" history that offers a profound sense of connection to the past. Beyond their historical significance, these landmarks act as universal sanctuaries, providing visitors with a rare, quiet atmosphere for reflection in a chaotic world.

Travel with us to Köln, Germany, to investigate.

Video tour

Click the panel below to view “Heart Holes: Some are God-shaped.”

To read more about the Köln Cathedral, start here: Structures of Hope.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris: Witness to Resilience

Mark and Vicki in Paris.

A stop at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is more than just sightseeing; it’s a witness to resilience. Even as the spire and roof are being painstakingly restored following the 2019 fire, the “Grand Dame” of Paris remains the architectural and spiritual heart of the city.

Standing in the Parvis de Notre-Dame—the literal “Point Zero” from which all distances in France are measured—you can’t help but be struck by the defiant beauty of the twin Gothic towers.

Steeple climb

Steeple climb

The awful happened.

Work on the Köln (Cologne) Cathedral sputtered and stalled. After 300 years of labor, this “structure of hope” outpaced its resources. It was unfinished, unfunded, and unroofed in places. The 25-meter wooden Domkran was idle atop of the South Steeple, an arm with no muscle. To make matters worse, the archives (read: building plans) were lost to French revolutionaries in 1794. The vision of a grand cathedral, conceived in the middle of the 13th century, was all but lost.

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French work

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French work

We walked across Spain, in part, to experience its cathedrals. The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos did not disappoint. It was glorious. Jaw-dropping even. It taught us the meaning of Gothic.

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An Imperfect Introduction

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An Imperfect Introduction

Why is the Song of Roland of interest to Bible Land Explorers? Here’s a couple of reasons.

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Transitions

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Transitions

Bob and I pulled on our packs and stepped to the asphalt below. We were too giddy to realize the scope of the trade. By means of that step we exchanged a futuristic mode of transport for the most primal form of all: our own feet.