we are still here in the city of charlemagne in aachen and behind me
is the aachen cathedral where we can find his tomb and his throne let's go and explore it
the aachen cathedral frequently referred to as the imperial cathedral is a roman catholic church in
germany the church is the oldest cathedral in northern europe and it is also one of the most
famous examples of occidental architecture aside from being one of the best known architectural
monuments in the western world it is also the burial site of charlemagne and a major pilgrimage
site the cathedral itself has several names the palatinate cathedral saint mary's church and the
minister it all started when charlemagne made the frankish royal estate of aachen his favorite home
the main buildings of the imperial palace area where the coronation hall today's town hall in the
palace chapel now the cathedral the construction of the chapel between 793 and 813 symbolizes the
unification of the west and its spiritual and political revival under the age of charlemagne
the chapel has been described as a masterpiece of carolingian architecture it is all that remains
today of charlemagne's extensive palace complex it was designed by odo of metz he based it on a
byzantine church of san vitale in ravenna italy this recounts for the very eastern field
to the chapel with its octagonal shape striped arches marble floor golden mosaics and ambulatory
it was consecrated in 805 to serve as the imperial church the interior of the chapel is embellished
by antique columns that charlemagne probably ordered to be brought from rome and ravenna
the construction of aachen cathedral features an octagonal dome 32 meters high
the great dome above the altar is octagonal because charlemagne plays
a special significance on the number eight the numeral appears frequently in the holy bible
and was charged with symbolism in the christian world during the medieval times
an octagon can be made by drawing two intersecting squares with the circle
charlemagne saw the number eight as symbolizing the power of the franks and the roman empire the
ruler of both the secular and religious worlds facing the altar the emperor sat on the gallery
the carolingian stone throne was built in the 10th century overlooking the altar for 600 years
from 936 to 1531 the throne was the coronation seat of the 30 german kings and 12 queens of the
holy roman empire of the german nation the church has been the episcopal seat of the diocese of aachen
since 1930 when charlemagne died in 814 he was buried in a vault in the cathedral
in the year 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 the Novalesia written about 1026. the account reads this
in 1165 emperor frederick barbarossa again opened the vault and placed the remains in a sculpted
sarcophagus made of parian marble the bones lay in this until 12 15
when frederick ii had put them in a casket of gold and silver a vellum codex found in turned
with him was removed his tomb is adorned with engravings of the king and pope leo the third
hanging from the vault above is a large double-sided sculpture made in 1521 by jan
Steffesweert of Maastrich it depicts the madonna and child attended by cherubs inside the radiant corona
the chapel itself is easily recognizable from later editions by its distinctive structure
an atrium on the western side and a portico led to the imperial apartments
hanging from the vault in the center of the chapel is barbarossa's chandelier
a huge bronze circlet commissioned by frederick barbarossa to celebrate charlemagne's canonization
it was created in 1165-1184
and is inscribed with a dedication to mary from barbarossa and his wife beatrix the chandelier
design represents the heavenly jerusalem as envisioned in the book of revelation
the gothic choir in a series of chapels were added throughout the middle ages
it created a composite array of features that characterize the cathedral
the interior is punctuated on the lower story by round arches set upon 8 ample pillars
the high dome gathers light from 8 open arch windows above the drum
it was originally entirely covered with large mosaic depicting Christ enthroned
in purple robes and surrounded by the elders of the apocalypse
also inside the cathedral is the cathedral treasury
regarded as one of the most important ecclesiastical treasuries in northern europe
the Cross of Lothair made from golden inlaid with precious stones the dark blue velvet
chasuble with embroidered pearls the reliquary bust of charlamagne made from silver and gold
in the marble sarcophagus with the relief of the abduction of Proserpine, which one contained the
body of charlemagne this famous relics from the time of charlemagne were first shown in 1312 and
the popularity of aachen as a place of pilgrimage necessitated the expansion of the church by 1355.
another treasure is the shrine of the virgin mary
completed in 1238 and contains the four great relics of aachen
the dress in which mary gave birth to the son of god the swaddling clothes of the baby jesus
the loincloth that christ wore on the cross
the cloth on which saint john the baptist head was placed after his beheading every seven years
these relics were presented in the beautiful reliquaries on the day of the sacred tour
which the celebration lasted for 15 days they were last displayed in 2007.
in 1978 the aachen cathedral was the first german cultural monument to be inscribed on
the unesco world heritage site list it was one of the top sites of the list due to its unique
history enriched by legends and myths and luxurious treasures kept in the cathedral
the aachen cathedral's importance as a cultural site
and the role it played throughout the years had made the cathedral a treasure to protect
hey guys i forgot to tell you you have to pay 50 cents
in order to take pictures inside the church besides that i hope you enjoy the history until next time bye
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