Aachen Cathedral of Germany: History and Architecture
After the Bruhl experience we double checked the timings of Aachen Cathedral.
It is hard to describe a cathedral particularly when it is a large and grand one like the Aachen Cathedral. Moreover it was a palace church of Charles the Great, so the grandeur is breathtaking! During the Second World War most of the buildings and churches the city of Aachen got destroyed bombings. Yet, what remains doesn’t fail to impress.
Aachen Cathedral History
There is a reason why I wanted to visit Aachen cathedral. Besides being inscribed to the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1978, its history was hard to ignore. I had my calling there.
Before you proceed do read: Wolfstur, the Great Bronze Portal of Aachen This is right at the entrance of Aachener Dom Cathedral.
Palatine Chapel
Charles the Great (Charlemagne) built the Palatine Chapel in 792. This later was renovated many times, yet even today, in its present form has that good ‘old’ feel. This is all that remains today of Charlemagne’s extensive palace complex in Aachen.
Emperor Charlemagne´s Palatine Chapel constitutes the nucleus of the Cathedral of Aachen. The construction of the chapel between 793 and 813 symbolizes the unification of the West. The octagonal core was enlarged much later in the middle ages. This, I read, is one of the most historically important sites in all of Christianity.
Charlemagne’s Remains in Cathedral
In 814, Charlemagne was buried here.
One interesting bit of story among the many I read about this cathedral is: “When he died in 814, Charlemagne’s remains were placed in a vault in the cathedral. In 1000, Otto III had Charlemagne’s vault opened. Otto of Lomello, one of the courtiers who accompanied him, recorded the event, which is reported in the Chronicle of Novalesia, written about 1026.
The account reads:
“So we went in to Charles. He did not lie, as the dead otherwise do, but sat as if he were living. He was crowned with a golden crown and held in his gloved hands a sceptre; the fingernails had penetrated through the gloves and stuck out. Above him was a canopy of limestone and marble. Entering, we broke through this.
Upon our entrance, a strong smell struck us. Kneeling, we gave Emperor Charles our homage, and put in order the damage that had been done. Emperor Charles had not lost any of his members to decay, except only the tip of his nose.
Emperor Otto replaced this with gold, took a tooth from Charles’s mouth, walled up the entrance to the chamber, and withdrew again.”
Other names of the Cathedral
The Cathedral has several names: Aachener Dom, the Palatinate Cathedral, Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen during the Middle Ages and the Minster. It is also referred to as the Imperial Cathedral.
The grey exteriors don’t give the slightest clue of the splendor inside. Do read: Grand Interiors of Aachen Cathedral.
The Cathedral Courtyard with the Carolingian Westwork,
on which a tower was set in the 19th century.
Aachen Cathedral Architecture
Main feature of Aachen Cathedral architecture is the octagonal dome, 32m high. It is octagonal because Charlemagne placed special significance on the number eight. His main reasons were spiritually related. The numeral 8 appears frequently in the Holy Bible. It was charged with symbolism in the Christian world during medieval times.
Yet another simple fact was that an octagon can be made by drawing two intersecting squares within a circle. This too was spiritually linked to the fact that the circle represents God’s eternity while the square represents the secular world. The 4 corners represent the 4 directions to heaven and the 4 characteristics of man.
Interesting, isn’t it?!
No entrance charges, but you need to pay one euro for photography, which I gladly paid. The cathedral is huge and I found it difficult to capture it all in one single frame. Finally crossing the road at its rear, after lot of tries I got this above frame. A small lower part of the cathedral is missing in the frame.
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The history was interesting to read, prompting me now to extra research. The second photograph is beautifully captures
the place is just beautiful Indrani.
i'll take note of this and will add it into my wish list. ^0^
Wonderful story of Charlamagne. You did well getting a good photo of the cathedral.
Superb architecture !
Awesome ..
Thatz an interesting chronicle!
Whoa! That cathedral is really amazing. So tall and solid. It conveys strength and security.
Such beautiful work, the architecture! (what more the interior)
Was a great read too. 😀
Thanks for these marvelous pictures and the episode from the history of this beautiful cathedral. It would be marvelous to see in person.
Wow, so much beauty outside, I could imagine, indoors too!
I like how you capture the second shot, showing the grandeur of the Cathedral.
Brilliant images from Germany.
A precious Cathedral, wonderful views, Indrani.
Beautiful photos, the first is fabulous, wonderful and awesome. Greetings.
Great photos of this magnificent cathedral, Indrani! I like the second shot and its angle especially.
Very interesting information and beautiful shots of the cathedral.
fascinating history and brilliant captures!!
very imposing cathedral. i'm so envious of your trip 🙂
Nice shots Indrani…… well done.
Greetings, Joop
Amazing structure..with some strange proportions…thanks for sharing Ind
What an amazing and beautiful cathedral and equally amazing history!! Terrific captures! Thank you for sharing both with us today, Indrani! Enjoy your weekend!
Sylvia