Cologne Central Mosque

An architectural masterpiece and a “welcome” sign

The prayer hall of the Main Mosque rises above the Cologne skyline like a gigantic unfolding bud alongside a multi-lane road. The gigantic concrete shells, which are arranged in concentric rings with glass in between, can be read with many interpretations of architectural symbols in mind. Protection and openness, tradition and modernity, East and West, lightness and grandeur — all of them are interacting here. This striking structure is 30 metres high and has two delicate 55-metre-high minarets along its sides.

With room for 1,200 worshipers and a 2,000-square-metre prayer hall, the Main Mosque in Cologne-Ehrenfeld is one of the largest Islamic places of worship in Europe. The planning and construction periods, including many discussions, took up ten years and cost approximately €30 million. The final result is a unique work of architecture that is open to the public outside the times of prayer and can be visited individually if certain rules are observed.

A building complex consisting of a prayer hall, a library, a shopping passage and more

At the heart of the mosque, which covers more than 8,000 square metres, is an open, light-flooded domed hall with a blue carpet, gold-coloured stucco panels along the walls and a changing play of light falling through the glass elements into the interior. The entire building complex also includes a shopping passage, a library, curving outdoor staircases, a conference hall, an administrative wing, an interior courtyard and a delicate gallery made of oakwood.

Architects and designers of the Main Mosque

The leading architect of the Main Mosque was Paul Böhm. The architect Semih İrteş and the master calligrapher Hüseyin Kutlu were responsible for the interior design. The mosque’s architecture and interior design have received a great deal of high praise since its opening on June 9, 2017.

Guided tours and viewing times

The mosque is open to public viewing outside the times of prayer — and it’s highly recommended for visitors, including those of other faiths or no faith. If you’d like to find out more than your eyes tell you, you can join one of the guided tours that are open to the public, which take place several times a week. Another option is to visit the mosque during its annual Open Day on October 3.