Cologne was already established as a pilgrimage destination and "holy" city in the 8th century: "Sancta Colonia". With the translation of the relics of the Three Kings in the year 1164, the city's standing rose to a different level. However, it was not only the cathedral and the Shrine of the Three Kings that gave the city this standing; various other relics in the city's possession did as well. Find out with us which spelling mistake, large-scale production with a monopoly position in Cologne, and marketing system in the Middle Ages enabled the city's public impact and firm position in the European pilgrimage route networks.
Abb.: Dreikönigszettel für französische Pilger mit der Ansicht von Köln, um 1750 (rba_mf150351).