Zentral-Dombauverein zu Köln von 1842

The Zentral-Dombau-Verein zu Köln von 1842 (Central Cathedral Building Society of 1842; formerly "Central-"), abbreviated ZDV, is one of the oldest and once largest NGOs and civic associations of Germany, Europe, and indeed the world.

Since he does so in superb and witty poetry – the Winter's Tale is generally acknowledged to be the high-point of lyrical satire in German – the criticism has endured and is very striking.

Membership in the board is a good indicator that one belongs to the wealthiest and most respected insiders of Cologne, which is well known for its governance by a closed elite (Kölscher Klüngel).

The cost to complete the cathedral, between 1842 and 1880, which was not an effort by the Catholic Church but by Protestant Prussia and the Cologne, Rhineland, and German citizens, amounted to US$1 billion in today's currency.

Another US$1 billion was paid to "unveil" the cathedral, i.e. to purchase the houses around it and make it possible to view it from all sides; of this amount, half was financed by the ZDV.