Dedicated to St. Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cologne Cathedral was originally built to house the relics of the three Magi, which were given to the Archbishop of Cologne in 1164. Construction started in 1248 and began quickly at first, with the eastern arm being consecrated in 1322. After that, however, there were large pauses in construction. As a matter of fact, work ceased in 1534, leaving all but the east arm unfinished. Ominously, a crane hung over the South Tower of the cathedral for more than 400 years, waiting for someone to take the initiative to complete the structure.