I selected to read about the frontiers of the Roman Empire and the Cologne Cathedral. Reason being, as I read through the list they both caught my attention. The Frontiers, because I am currently learning about the Roman Empire in one of my other classes, and the cathedral because I had to research and write a paper about the catherdral in St. Paul when I was in highschool.
As I began my research I thought the Roman frontiers would be much more interesting. However, there was a lack of information about it and I found myself reading the same facts and stories every site I went to. The Cologne Cathedral on the other hand was very interesting. There were a lot of cool facts available and I learned quite a bit about it and its history. It is the largest gothic church in Northern Europe, standing 515ft tall. Contruction began in 1248 and it was not completed until 1880. As I was reading I thought how amazing it was that it still stands today even after two world wars. As I read further I found it suffered 70 hits during world war 2 from allied bombers. It is said that Allied bombers used it as a landmark. The last interesting fact is that in the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings. It is said the remains of the Three Wise Men are in the shrine. I thought that was really cool. When I visit Germany this is definitely on my list of things to see. Turns out I am not the only one, over 20,000 people visit the Cologne Catherdral each day!
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/430
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/292
