Aachen is a small historical city located on the border between Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.
The city's fate is tightly bounded with the name of the Carl the Great who known as the most prominent monarch in the Middle Ages. Carl became the king of the Franks in 768. By the 805 he joined under his skipper all land of the former Western Roman Empire and was declared as Emperor in the Rome.
Thereafter he had made Aachen as his place of permanent residence and started to build his palace and Cathedral. I will write about the Palace of the Carl the Great in another article. Here I want to tell you about famous Aachen Cathedral.
Of course, I think it’s worth mentioning that Palace and Cathedral, during time of Carl the Great, were the one complex.
Chronicle says that the architect of the building was Otto from Menz. But common supervising of the building was conducted by the Eichard who was the personal adviser of Carl the Great and was familiar with ancient arts.
Aachen Cathedral has been built following the forms of the churches in Ravenna. Despite the fact that Cathedral gone through the frequent rebuildings it saved its initial plan.
Ceiling of the Aachen Cathedral was adorned by mosaics which were performed by the masters from the Byzantine Empire. Also let me say that Carl ordered to move into the Cathedral the columns from the destroyed palace of King Theodoric in Ravenna.
Main church of Cathedral is a two-story building. Upper floor of Cathedral was used only by Carl and his family members. In the now days you also can visit only the first floor of the Aachen Cathedral. Unfortunately the Carl’s floor is closed for visitors.
In times of the Carl the Great in Aachen Cathedral was situated his throne and also there were stored the symbols of his power.
After his death Carl was buried in the Cathedral and it became very important place for the German nation. All German Emperors from 936 to 1531 were crowned here.
No wonder that Emperors bestowed to the Cathedral a lot of gifts (today you can see them at the treasury of the Aachen Cathedral).
During the centuries Cathedral was seriously enlarged. Tower has been added to the western part of the Cathedral and its plain roof was changed to the wide dome. In the 14th century Gothic choir has been added to the main church and later a lot of extra buildings were built around the Cathedral. Thus was formed the present view of Aachen Cathedral.
Interior of Aachen Cathedral
Interior of Aachen Cathedral reminds the basilica of San-Vitale in Ravenna. Dome and walls are covered by golden mosaics. A big chandelier has been added to the roof in 1180. Choir is decorated by the Golden pulpit which was bestowed to Cathedral by Emperor Henry Third.
Inside the Cathedral you can see the throne of Carl the Great but main relic of Cathedral - is a monstrance of Our Lady.
Cathedral located at the city’s historical center very close to the other buildings. It can cause some difficulties to percept entire complex but near the main entrance there is his model which could help you with this issue.
