Aachen Cathedral was the first German cultural monument ever to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. In terms of architecture and art history, the cathedral is of great importance and is considered one of the best-preserved monuments of the Carolingian period.
The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid around 790 AD by Charlemagne with his palace chapel, and the towers date back to this time. Charlemagne's shrine also commemorates the emperor: after his death in 814, Charlemagne was initially buried in Aachen Cathedral, but in 1215 his remains were transferred to the shrine, which can still be admired in the cathedral today. The emperor's coffin is part of the cathedral treasury, which is one of the most important church treasures in Europe.
Coronation church
However, Aachen Cathedral was not only the emperor's burial church, but also the coronation church for many German rulers. The first was Otto I in 936, followed by over 30 further coronations up to 1531. Many works of art that were brought to Aachen for the celebrations are also part of the church's rich treasury today. In the cathedral itself, visitors can admire the coronation chair from the Carolingian period during guided tours. The Gothic choir hall, which can also be visited on guided tours, has the largest windows of the Gothic period: they are around 27 meters high.
Imperial gifts
The huge chandelier in the octagon, which was once donated by Emperor Barbarossa, is also impressive. Or the imposing portal of the cathedral, the first bronze casting north of the Alps. Its lion heads tell an exciting legend: They are said to contain the devil's thumb.
Every seven years, Aachen Cathedral has a special highlight in store for pilgrims: This is when the golden shrine of the Virgin Mary is opened and the four shrines kept inside are shown to the faithful. These include the dress of the Virgin Mary, the swaddling clothes of Jesus, the beheading cloth of John the Baptist and the loincloth of Christ. The shrine itself can be viewed as part of a guided tour.
