[2025 Aachen Attraction] Travel Guide for Aachen Cathedral (Updated Mar)

Aachen is a small city full of history and charm. Located in the westernmost part of Germany, Aachen is known as the "Heart of Europe" because it's only five kilometers from the borders of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium! Imagine standing in one spot and overlooking three countries—it's like a mini international gathering! · Aachen's charm isn't just about its location. It's the birthplace of Charlemagne and the coronation site of more than 30 German kings, making it a true witness to history. · Even better, Aachen is famous for its hot springs, which have been a health resort since the 1st century AD. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind. - 1️⃣ First, we must visit Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom). This World Heritage Site boasts over 1,200 years of history and features dazzling, ornate interiors. The cathedral treasury houses the Cross of Lothair and the bust of Charlemagne, both must-sees. · 2️⃣ Next, don't forget to visit Aachen City Hall (Aachener Rathaus). Its exterior is adorned with statues of German rulers, while the interior displays murals and treasures that seem to tell the glorious history of Aachen.

Once the capital of the Frankish Kingdom, Aachen was the undisputed center of Europe. Today, Aachen is just a city on the German border. Despite the passage of time, the glory and splendor of this border town remain. When you visit Aachen, you must visit the city's famous attraction, Aachen Cathedral, also known as the Palatine Chapel. It was officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, making it Germany's first World Heritage Site. Built between 790 and 800 AD, the cathedral is of extraordinary significance in both architectural and art history. It is an important example of Carolingian architecture and religious architecture. On February 4, 2014, scientists confirmed that the thousand-year-old remains discovered in Aachen Cathedral in 1988 were those of Charlemagne, the great founder of the Frankish Kingdom, known as the "Father of Europe." For 600 years, this was the coronation church of the German Empire. Aachen Cathedral, the court church of Charlemagne, is not only a place of pilgrimage but also retains its historical appearance from a thousand years ago. Its core building is the Palatine Chapel, the largest domed building north of the Alps at the time. It is an octagonal building with a unique style and luxurious decoration. It successfully combines classical architecture, Byzantine architecture, and Gothic architecture. The Palatine Chapel holds a significant place in European history. The overall structure of Aachen Cathedral is rectangular, with an arched roof. The inspiration for the cathedral came from Eastern-style churches of the Roman Empire, and in the Middle Ages, the Palatine Chapel was adorned with many luxurious decorations. In 1414 and 1884, altars were added on both sides. In 1669, an octagonal building with a dome was added. Photography is no longer allowed inside the cathedral, so to see the grandeur and stunning architecture, you must visit in person and experience it with your own eyes. However, the museum next door houses many precious artifacts and allows photography, making it well worth a visit. Among the exhibits are a partially gilded bust of Charlemagne and the Lothar Cross, made around 1000 AD. This cross is displayed to believers as a sacred object during major religious ceremonies. Additionally, the museum displays a candelabrum gifted by Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, and a marble throne of Charlemagne in the corridor. The choir stalls also house Charlemagne's golden reliquary, preserving his relics. There are also many exquisite bronzes, ivories, gold and silver artifacts, and religious artworks by famous artists. The artistic treasures of Aachen Cathedral are considered the most important ecclesiastical art treasures in Northern Europe.

| The first symbol of German architectural and art history. 💫Aachen Cathedral, a shining pearl of German architectural and art history Today, we are going to introduce a shining pearl of German architectural and art history - Aachen Cathedral! 😍 Aachen Cathedral was first built in the 8th century during the famous Frankish Carolingian dynasty in Europe. It is one of the most famous churches in Germany and one of the most important religious sites in Europe. 🎈 It is composed of Christian architectural art from many different periods, with an interior structure characterized by a Germanic-style dome and colorful stones. 👀 The German World Heritage Organization describes it as "the first symbol of German architectural and art history," which is well-deserved! This church is not only the first building in Germany to be listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, but also the site where 30 Holy Roman Emperors were crowned in history. 💖 Here, you can feel the strong historical atmosphere and religious atmosphere, and enjoy the exquisite architecture and art. Come to Aachen Cathedral and start an unforgettable cultural journey! 🎉

#europetrip Aachen, Germany, is a charming city steeped in history and culture. Known as the home of Charlemagne, it boasts the stunning Aachen Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural masterpiece. The city’s rich medieval history blends beautifully with its lively modern vibe. Its historic old town is filled with quaint streets, inviting cafes, and artisan shops. Aachen’s famous thermal spas, such as the Carolus Thermen, offer relaxation and rejuvenation. The annual Christmas market adds a magical charm during the winter season. With its vibrant student life and cultural heritage, Aachen is a delightful mix of past and present.

Aachen Cathedral, a medieval church with a thousand-year history, is a classic example of Carolingian architecture. It was once a significant pilgrimage site for Christians in the Middle Ages and the resting place of Charlemagne, as well as the coronation site for Holy Roman Emperors. These factors made it the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Germany. Originally, Aachen was just an inconspicuous forest village. However, as Charlemagne expanded his empire, the Frankish Kingdom became the largest political entity in Western Europe after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as the first 'Emperor of the Romans' since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Aachen, located at the geographical center of this vast empire, was chosen by Charlemagne to establish the political center and palace of the empire. With the legitimacy granted by the Pope's coronation, Charlemagne built a church within the palace, which is now known as Aachen Cathedral. Initially, it only consisted of the Palatine Chapel, an octagonal chapel with a sixteen-sided exterior and a high dome, completed in 805 AD. For the next two centuries, it remained the tallest building north of the Alps. Naturally, Charlemagne was buried in Aachen Cathedral after his death. With the fall of the great empire due to internal strife among his descendants, the empire eventually split into three kingdoms. Otto I, the king of East Francia, was crowned in Aachen Cathedral in 936 and later crowned as 'Emperor of the Romans' by Pope John XII in 962, marking the official birth of the Holy Roman Empire. Due to the reverence for Charlemagne, Aachen Cathedral served as the coronation site for Holy Roman Emperors for 600 years, witnessing the coronation of 30 emperors. In addition, Aachen Cathedral is renowned for housing four relics from Jerusalem, making it the fourth major pilgrimage site for Christians in the Middle Ages, after Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela. The four relics are the cloak of the Virgin Mary at Jesus' birth, Jesus' swaddling clothes, the loincloth worn by Jesus on the cross, and the cloth worn by John the Baptist at his beheading. Since 1349, the cathedral has held a major pilgrimage event every seven years, displaying these relics from the Marienschrein (Shrine of St. Mary) to pilgrims from around the world. Aachen Cathedral stands out among other famous cathedrals. Upon entering this small town, one cannot help but be drawn to this colossal structure. Compared to the relatively simple town, Aachen Cathedral is astonishingly large. Due to multiple expansions and renovations, it incorporates various architectural styles, making its overall appearance unique, like a patchwork. Aachen Cathedral is the oldest cathedral I have visited so far. Although the exterior has been renovated and does not show its age, the Palatine Chapel inside truly showcases its ancient splendor. The structure, colors, mosaics, and golden dome are styles rarely seen in other European cathedrals. 📜Interesting Legend: When Aachen Cathedral was being built, there was insufficient funding to complete it. The local residents made a deal with the devil, promising him the soul of the first person to enter the cathedral in exchange for his help in completing it. When the devil eagerly awaited the first person to enter the cathedral after its completion, the residents sent in a wolf. The devil, unaware, took the wolf's soul. Realizing the trick, the enraged devil stormed out of the cathedral, accidentally breaking a thumb on the lion's door handle. To this day, you can see a statue of the wolf at the entrance and feel the presence of the devil's thumb on the lion's door handle. 📜Additional Info 1: Behind the Palatine Chapel extends a large Gothic choir hall, known as the 'Glass House of Aachen' due to its large stained glass windows, among the largest in Europe. It houses two golden boxes: the Marienschrein, containing the four major relics, and the Karlsschrein, containing the authenticated remains of Charlemagne. 📜Additional Info 2: Charlemagne is often depicted with the German eagle and the French fleur-de-lis, as he is considered the founder of both Germany and France. Additionally, Charlemagne is the model for the King of Hearts in playing cards. 🚗Transportation: You can take a train to Aachen train station and walk to the cathedral, or take a bus from Maastricht in the Netherlands to Aachen city center (Maastricht has an airport).

The Aachen Cathedral, also known as Aachener Dom, is a Roman Catholic church constructed by order of Emperor Charlemagne. From 936 to 1531, the Palatine Chapel saw the coronation of thirty-one German kings and twelve queens. Being one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe, the cathedral’s architecture is a blend of Carolingian-Romanesque, Gothic, and Ottonian styles. The interior is adorned with antique columns that Charlemagne probably ordered to be brought from Rome and Ravenna. In 1978, Aachen Cathedral was one of the first 12 items to be listed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, due to its exceptional artistry, architecture, and central importance in the history of the Holy Roman Empire #localescapes

Aachen is a small city on the border of Belgium 🇧🇪 and the Netherlands 🇳🇱 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a significant position in German history. In 800 AD, Charlemagne, the king of the Frankish Kingdom and the Carolingian dynasty, was crowned emperor by the Pope in Rome, and his territory covered most of Western Europe at that time. He established the capital of the empire 🏰 in Aachen and began to build a palace 🏛️ and a church ⛪, which is the prototype of today's Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom). After the death of Charlemagne, he was also buried here. At the same time, Aachen Cathedral was also the coronation site of more than 600 years of German kings and emperors since 936. Therefore, countless historical and religious treasures are concentrated here, and it is also the first world cultural heritage site in Germany 1️⃣. Apart from that, Aachen also has the hottest hot springs in central Europe ♨, as well as the best technical university in Germany 🏬. Although small, Aachen is full of essence. Germany · Europe

Aachen is not really a small town. It is a city with a long history, once the center of Europe and the coronation place of the Holy Roman Emperor. Here, there is the Aachen Cathedral with Byzantine style, the Aachen University of Technology known as the "MIT of Europe", as well as the Elisenbrunnen fountain and gardens. Spa and hot springs have a long tradition in Aachen, come and experience what German hot springs are like. Germany, Europe