Compass

On August 15, 1483, the first mass was held in the newly constructed Sistine Chapel, marking a significant moment in the history of the Vatican and the broader Catholic Church. This inaugural ceremony was held to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, a key feast day that honors the Virgin Mary’s ascent into heaven. The mass also served as the chapel's consecration, officially dedicating this sacred space to the Virgin Mary.

On August 15, 1248, the cornerstone of the Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom as it is known in German, was ceremoniously laid, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most ambitious and enduring architectural projects in European history. The cathedral's construction, spanning over 600 years, was driven by a deeply religious purpose: to create a grand home for the relics of the Three Kings (the Magi), which had come into the possession of the Archbishop of Cologne. These relics, believed to be the bones of the biblical magi, were of immense religious significance, attracting pilgrims from across Europe and elevating Cologne to a major religious center.