World Heritage Photos

Aachen Cathedral, also known as the Kaiserdom (Imperial Cathedral) of Aachen, is one of the oldest churches in Germany. The cathedral is of great architectural, historical and religious importance. The Palatine Chapel is the remaining part of the palace of Charlemagne (German: Karl der Grosse) in Aachen. The chapel was built from 790 to 800. The chapel is a masterpiece of the Carolingian architecture, it was inspired by the byzantine church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. The Palatine Chapel has been incorporated into Aachen Cathedral. In the 15th century, several chapels were added to the Palatine Chapel and it became Aachen Cathedral. Aachen Cathedral was on completion the largest cathedral north of the Alps. From 936 to 1531, Aachen Cathedral was the coronation church for thirty German emperors and kings. Aachen Cathedral houses treasures of the early medieval period, such as the throne of Charlemagne, a golden altar piece, a golden pulpit and golden shrines. A huge chandelier is hanging from the vault of the Palatine Chapel, the chandelier was gift from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The Shrine of the Virgin Mary and the Shrine of Charlemagne, which contains his mortal remains, are the most important treasures of Aachen Cathedral. The Shrine of the Virgin Mary contains the four great relics of Aachen Cathedral: the swaddling clothes of Jesus Christ, the loincloth of Jesus Christ, the cloak of the Virgin Mary and the decapitation cloth of John the Baptist. These relics have made Aachen Cathedral an important pilgrimage destination for centuries; it became a meeting place for pilgrims along the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, much like two other major German pilgrimage destinations: Cologne Cathedral and Trier Cathedral. Aachen Cathedral gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1978.

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   Aachen Cathedral: The Palatine Chapel is the last surviving part of Charlemagne's palace in the German city of Aachen. It was later incorporated into Aachen Cathedral. The chapel was built by Charlemagne between 790 and 800 and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Carolingian art and architecture. In the 15th century, a choir and further chapels were added to the chapel, and this enlarged complex became the Aachen Cathedral we see today.

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   Aachen Cathedral: To the left stands the Hungarian Chapel and tower; the octagonal dome of the Palatine Chapel is visible on the right. The bell tower houses eight bells; all cast following the Great City fire in 1656. The Marybell has been replaced several times. The current Marybell was cast in 1958; it is the largest bell in the tower and weighs 6,045 kg. The bell tower itself was only completed in 1884.

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   The exterior of Aachen Cathedral with the Palatine Chapel in the centre; the chapel is the oldest part of the cathedral. The cathedral is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the north of Europe. At the time of its completion, it was the largest cathedral north of the Alps. The Palatine Chapel is the final resting place of Charlemagne, Emperor of the Romans. The Palatine Chapel stands approximately 31 metres high with a diameter of 16 metres.

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   Aachen Cathedral: The high, central octagonal vault of the cathedral was Charlemagne's Palatine Chapel; it is a characteristic early Byzantine palace church. Over the centuries, with the addition of the choir and numerous side chapels, the Palatine Chapel evolved into Aachen Cathedral. The cathedral became a major meeting place for pilgrims along the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Every seven years, pilgrims gather to see the Great Relics of the cathedral. 

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   Aachen Cathedral: The Barbarossa Chandelier hangs from the octagonal domed vault of the Palatine Chapel. The chandelier was donated to the cathedral in 1168 by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to hang above the golden Shrine of Charlemagne. This magnificent chandelier was crafted of gilt copper and measures 4.2 metres in diameter. The chandelier is shaped like a city wall with eight large and eight small towers, symbolising the Heavenly Jerusalem.

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   Aachen Cathedral: The Shrine of the Virgin Mary was completed in 1239. The shrine contains the four Great Relics of Aachen Cathedral: the swaddling clothes of Jesus, the loincloth of Jesus, the cloak of the Virgin Mary, and the decapitation cloth of the Biblical prophet St. John the Baptist. These great relics have made the cathedral an important pilgrimage destination for centuries. Once every seven years, these relics are shown to the faithful.

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   Aachen Cathedral: The Shrine of Charlemagne contains his mortal remains. Created in Aachen, the shrine was commissioned in 1182 and completed in 1215 under Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The golden shrine is a true masterpiece of medieval art. Together, the Shrine of the Virgin Mary and the Shrine of Charlemagne are the most celebrated treasures of the cathedral; these works have made the cathedral a major Christian pilgrimage destination for centuries.

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   Aachen Cathedral: The main altar features the Pala d'Oro, a magnificent golden front. The Pala d'Oro dates from around 1020 and was a gift from Holy Roman Emperor Otto III and his cousin Henry II. The panel depicts scenes from the life of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Archangel Michael. In addition to this masterpiece, the cathedral also houses a golden pulpit and two fine golden shrines. Aachen Cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978.

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   Aachen Cathedral: The marble throne of Charlemagne is located in the upper gallery. Between 936 and 1531, the cathedral was the coronation site for thirty-one German kings and emperors. Charlemagne himself was crowned in Rome, but he used this throne in Aachen. According to tradition, the marble slabs from which the throne is crafted originate from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The throne was made around 800, during the Carolingian period.

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    Above the entrance to the Aachen Cathedral Treasury stand several statues. The treasury itself is one of the most important ecclesiastical treasuries in Northern Europe. It houses more than a hundred sacral art treasures, including the Gothic silver-gilt Bust of Charlemagne, the Ottonian Cross of Lothair, the Persephone Sarcophagus, and an arm reliquary containing bones from Charlemagne's right arm. The treasury is part of the Aachen Cathedral World Heritage Site.

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    Aachen Cathedral: The vaulted ceiling of the octagonal Palatine Chapel is adorned with colourful mosaics. These complex mosaics were inspired by the Byzantine mosaics found in the fifth- and sixth-century churches in Ravenna. Through the design and decorations of the Palatine Chapel, Charlemagne wanted to bring the amazing splendour of the Roman and Byzantine Empires to Aachen. During the Second World War, Aachen Cathedral was barely damaged.

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    Aachen Cathedral: The Palatine Chapel is octagonal in shape; it is encircled by arcades and a number of later chapels. The vaults are decorated with mosaics. The design of the chapel was inspired by the Byzantine Church of San Vitale in Ravenna (see also the World Heritage Photos of Ravenna in Italy). As one of the oldest churches in Germany, Aachen Cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.