Church Architects built Germany’s Largest Mosque | Cologne Mosque

A family of architects known for designing Catholic churches might seem like an unusual choice for one of Germany’s most prominent mosques.

But that is exactly what happened in Cologne.

Cologne Central Mosque, located in the city’s Ehrenfeld district, was designed by Gottfried Böhm and his son Paul Böhm. Gottfried Böhm had spent much of his career designing churches across Germany and became one of the country’s most celebrated architects, winning the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1986.

So how did a family associated with church architecture end up designing a mosque?

The answer can be seen in the building itself.

A Mosque Designed to Feel Open

Cologne Central Mosque is widely described as Germany’s largest mosque. Run by DITIB, the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs, the mosque opened in 2017 before its formal inauguration in September 2018.

But its size isn't necessarily the first thing you notice.

What stands out is how different it looks from the image many people have of a traditional mosque.

Instead of heavy walls separating the prayer space from the city around it, large sections of the building are wrapped in glass. A wide staircase leads directly up from the street, while the curved concrete structure seems to open outward rather than close itself off.

That was intentional.

Paul Böhm has spoken about openness as one of the main ideas behind the design. The mosque wasn't supposed to exist as an isolated religious building. It was meant to become part of everyday life in Ehrenfeld.

Even the ground floor reflects that idea, with shops and public spaces that people can enter whether or not they are coming to pray.

Did you know? Cologne Central Mosque isn't only a prayer hall. The complex also includes a library, lecture and meeting spaces, and street-level shops.

The Architects Came From a Family of Church Builders

The story becomes even more unusual when you look at the Böhm family.

Gottfried Böhm came from generations of architects. His father and grandfather designed churches, and Gottfried continued that tradition throughout much of his own career.

His buildings became known for dramatic concrete forms that could feel almost sculptural.

That influence is still visible in Cologne Central Mosque.

The huge central dome is not shaped like the smooth dome found on many historic Ottoman mosques. Instead, sections of reinforced concrete curve upward around glass, giving the building a much more contemporary silhouette.

Two slender minarets rise on either side.

So while Cologne Central Mosque clearly uses familiar elements of Islamic architecture — the dome, minarets and large prayer space — it doesn't simply copy a historical mosque.

It translates them into something very modern.

Germany's Largest Mosque Is Bigger Than It Looks

Photos don't really communicate the scale.

The Cologne Central Mosque complex covers roughly 4,500 square metres, while its prayer spaces can accommodate thousands of worshippers.

Its two minarets rise approximately 55 metres above Ehrenfeld.

Yet one of the more interesting things about the building is that all of that scale is squeezed into a busy urban neighbourhood rather than placed on the edge of the city.

Step outside and you're back among apartment buildings, shops, cafés and Cologne traffic.

The mosque was designed to be part of that neighbourhood rather than separated from it.

Then Came the Debate Over the Azan

Cologne Central Mosque later became part of another conversation about what Islam looks — and sounds — like in modern Germany.

In 2021, the city of Cologne introduced a programme allowing mosques to apply for permission to broadcast the Friday azan, or Islamic call to prayer, over loudspeakers under specific conditions.

The Cologne Central Mosque became one of the most visible examples.

For some, hearing the azan publicly represented recognition of a Muslim community that had been part of Cologne for generations.

For others, it raised questions about religion in public space.

And that debate made Cologne Central Mosque something more than an interesting piece of architecture. It became part of a much bigger conversation about Muslim life and identity in Germany.

From a 55-Metre Minaret to Something That Fits on Your Desk

Trying to turn a building this large into a Mini creates a slightly ridiculous problem:

How do you shrink two 55-metre minarets, a huge dome and a glass façade into something small enough to sit beside your laptop?

That became the idea behind the Cologne Central Mosque DEENBLOCKS Mini.

The model takes some of the mosque's most recognisable features — its twin minarets, central dome and open façade — and turns them into a small building-block collectible you can build and display.

It's part of the DEENBLOCKS Minis collection, where landmarks from Muslim communities around the world are recreated at desk size.

The Mini isn't an official or licensed model of Cologne Central Mosque or DITIB.

It's simply our way of turning a building with an unusual story into something you can physically build, keep and learn about.

Because sometimes understanding a landmark starts with looking a little closer.

And sometimes that landmark happens to fit on your desk.

Cologne Central Mosque FAQ

Where is Cologne Central Mosque?

Cologne Central Mosque is located in Ehrenfeld, Cologne, Germany. It is operated by DITIB, the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs.

Who designed Cologne Central Mosque?

The mosque was designed by German architects Gottfried Böhm and Paul Böhm. Gottfried Böhm was particularly famous for his church architecture and received the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1986.

Why does Cologne Central Mosque look so modern?

The mosque was deliberately designed around the idea of openness. Its architecture combines familiar mosque elements such as a dome and minarets with large glass façades, curved concrete forms and public spaces connected to the surrounding neighbourhood.

How tall are the Cologne Central Mosque minarets?

The mosque has two minarets, each approximately 55 metres tall.

When did Cologne allow the azan to be broadcast?

In 2021, the city introduced a programme allowing mosques to apply for permission to broadcast the Friday call to prayer under specific rules. Cologne Central Mosque became one of the most prominent mosques associated with the programme.

Is the DEENBLOCKS Cologne Central Mosque Mini an official model?

No. The DEENBLOCKS Cologne Central Mosque Mini is an independent collectible design. It is not licensed, sponsored or endorsed by DITIB or Cologne Central Mosque.