The imperial throne and tomb of Charlemagne in a gilded shrine are top attractions to see in the Carolingian Aachener Dom in Germany. Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom) is one of the most famous and most interesting historic buildings in Germany. It was originally the palatine chapel of Charlemagne and for almost six centuries the church where German kings were crowned. Much … [Read more...]
Interior of Aachen Cathedral
Aachen Cathedral blends original Carolingian elements with later mostly Gothic decorations and additions as well as modern Byzantine-style mosaics. Aachen Cathedral is one of the shiniest cathedrals in Germany. The interior shows an unusual amount of gold while the Byzantine-style mosaics add color and bling to what is in part a fairly dark building. The core of the cathedral … [Read more...]
The Building and Exterior of Aachen Cathedral
Aachen Cathedral’s core was built by Charlemagne but later additions enlarged the palatine chapel that became the coronation church of German kings. Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom) in western Germany is one of the oldest continuously in use buildings in Germany. The octagonal core of the church was built by Charlemagne as a Mary chapel attached to his palace in Aix-la-Chapelle … [Read more...]
See the Gothic Choir of Aachen Cathedral
The choir of the Aachener Dom contains the shrine of Charlemagne, further relics, and magnificent Ottonian and Romanesque art. The magnificent choir area of the Aachen Cathedral in western Germany has the remains of Charlemagne (Karl der Grosse / Charles the Great) in a large gilded early 13th-century shrine (Karlsschrein). The Mary shrine (Marienschrein) from the same era is … [Read more...]
See the Aachen Cathedral Treasury in Germany
The Aachener Domschatz is one of the most important treasuries in Europe with art related to Charlemagne, German royal coronations, liturgy, and relics. The Aachen Cathedral Treasury (Aachener Domschattz) is one of the largest and most important treasuries of medieval Christian artworks in Europe. The treasury has over a hundred works that are exhibited in a large museum … [Read more...]
Relax in the Carolus Therme Hot Water Day Spa in Aachen
The Carolus Therme in Aachen is a large baby-free day spa with several warm water thermal pools, saunas, massages, and beauty treatments. NOTE: The Carolus Therme is currently closed and unlikely to reopen before 2021. The Carolus Therme is a large, modern-day spa in the German city Aachen. The main draws are the variety of warm water thermal baths and the sauna … [Read more...]
Visit the Externsteine Sandstone Rocks in the Teutoburg Forest in Germany
The sandstone rock ridge of the Externsteine, often associated with the Saxon pagan irminsul, is a top sight to see in the Teutoburg Forest in Germany. The Externsteine is a row of large rock formations in the Teutoburger Wald near Detmold in the Lippe district of North-Rhine Westphalia. They are particularly noteworthy as there are few other large rocks in this part of … [Read more...]
See the Throne of Charlemagne (Karlsthron) in Aachen Cathedral
The marble throne and shrine of Charlemagne in the Aachener Dom can only be seen when on a guided tour of the historic Aachen Cathedral. The marble throne of Charlemagne (Karl der Grosse / Charles the Great), where 30 German kings were crowned, can be seen only on a guided tour of the Aachener Dom in Germany. Similarly, only visitors on the guided tour may enter the choir … [Read more...]
Transportation to Aachen in Germany
Getting to Aachen is easy by car, train, bus and plane from other parts of Germany, the UK, Belgium, The Netherlands and Paris. Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) is in the far western parts of Germany close to the borders with The Netherland and Belgium. It is also the closest significant German city to Britain. Aachen is on major transportation routes making it easy to reach by … [Read more...]