BERLIN (AP) — The German city of Cologne is putting up heavy stone blocks around its famous cathedral to protect the landmark building and its visitors from potential terror attacks.
Cologne Police president Uwe Jacob said Wednesday the city was increasing its security in reaction to vehicle attacks in Barcelona and a nearby seaside Spanish town last week.
The German news agency dpa reported that the stone blocks, which are several hundred kilograms (pounds) heavy, are discarded parts of the cathedral. They will be used to block the entrance to the big square in front of the cathedral.
Germany has suffered several terror attacks last year, including a truck attack in Berlin in December in which the driver ran the vehicle into a Christmas market, killing 12 people.