Home page, Travel

Chasing the traces of Charlemagne in Aachen, Germany

 

During my weekend jaunt to western Germany, I made a day trip to Aachen, once the capital of Charlemagne’s short-lived empire and the final resting place of ”Charles the Great” himself.

1

Aachen is the city in North Rhine-Westphalia of Germany known also as Aix-la-Chapelle in French. Its name derives from the Ach(e), meaning “river” or “stream” in Old High German.

This city lives and breathes Europe as it is practically Europe in miniature. On the border with Belgium and the Netherlands, it has encapsulated the spirit, values and ideals of Europe since the days of Charlemagne.

So who was Charlemagne and how he made this city famous?

Charlemagne, 8th century, also known as Karl and Charles the Great, was a medieval emperor who ruled much of Western Europe. In 771, Charlemagne became king of the Franks, a Germanic tribe in present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and western Germany. He embarked on a mission to unite all Germanic peoples into one kingdom, and convert his subjects to Christianity. It was the first time these lands had been united politically since the Roman Empire.

1
Portrait of Charlemagne, King of Franks and Lombards and Emperor of Holy Roman Empire with model of Palatine Chapel. By Scheuren, 19 century. 

In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans. In this role, he encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual revival in Europe. When he died in 814, Charlemagne’s empire encompassed much of Western Europe, and he had also ensured the survival of Christianity in the West. Today, Charlemagne is referred to by some as the father of Europe.

The ruler seated in the Palace of Aachen a group of buildings with residential, political and religious purposes to be the centre of power of the Carolingian Empire.

1
Charlemagne with the crown jewels in front of the Palace

Today much of the palace is destroyed, but the Palatine Chapel has been preserved and is considered as a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture and a characteristic example of architecture from the Carolingian Renaissance. 

Important part of this palace and todays cityscape of Aachen is Aachen Cathedral, traditionally known in English as the Cathedral of Aix-la-Chapelle. It is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe and was constructed by Odo of Metz.

1

Aachen Cathedral houses a collection of medieval art objects which are exceptional in their historical, artistic and religious meaning.

1Charlemagne’s throne, is the most important chapelle sight. It is an austere chair that places has been made from stone taken from the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. All German kings in the medieval times were crowned on this throne.

The Barbarossa chandelier was made on the order of Emperor Frederick I, nicknamed Barbarossa, and his wife Beatrice  in 12 century. It has a diameter of 4.20 meters and is just amazing inner sight of the chapel.

1

Finally, Charlemagne was buried there after his death in 814. After that, for 595 years, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for thirty German kings and twelve queens.

Today,  in the glory of his name, the Charlemagne Prize is given for services to European unity.

Aachen is also renowned for its relaxed atmosphere, best experienced on a stroll through the historical streets. There are charming places that to the grand old buildings dotted along the Charlemagne Route.

 

As the city lies so close to the Belgian border, it was a matter of time to revisit. The opportunity came with my brother. Some 2 and a half hours of driving and the same back – we managed to explore it in less than one morning. I remember how shocked we were when we saw a palette of awkward people around. How did this glorious city become like this?

We entered the city through The Marschiertor. It is one of Aachen’s two remaining original city gates from the late 13th century. The gate was used as a soldiers barracks, a homeless shelter, and a hostel over the years before being restored in 2009.

Immediately at the entrance, we were filled with the nice cookies smell. It was the Aachener Printenkonfekt. Fresh-baked chocolate cookies have the entire history. The basis for the Aachener Printe was laid more than 350 years ago by bronze casters from Dinant in Belgium, who created “Gebildbrot” or “shaped bread”. In purely visual terms, the original Printe was similar to today’s “Spekulatius” biscuits. Then Napoleon arrived – imposing the Continental Blockade. Cut off from cane sugar and American wild blossom honey, Printe bakers were forced to improvise, with a rougher, tougher dough which was more difficult to form. This led to the birth of the flat, thin “Schnittprinte”, or “cut Printe”.

Aachen was a settlement since the Neolithic times. Interestingly enough, there was a Temple of Isis and Kybele found in this city. It is not known how this the goddess of healing and magic, crucial to ancient Egyptian religious beliefs found her way to Aachen. Along with them, the Roman spa started to grow.

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 is an octagon built by Charlemagne around AD 800. The lower level is fairly dark with low vaults, as it is the upper floor with tall arcs and high vaulting that was used by the emperor and high nobility. The choir and chapels are mostly Gothic additions. Many reliquaries and historic artworks are now in the treasury but the shrine of Charlemagne, the Mary reliquary, and other medieval works in the choir still impress.

Aachen Cathedral blends original Carolingian elements with later mostly Gothic decorations and additions as well as modern Byzantine-style mosaics.

When you get thirsty, Aachen offers its own local beer. Kölsch is one of the most strictly defined beer styles in Germany: according to the Convention, it is a pale, highly attenuated, hoppy, bright (i.e. filtered and not cloudy) top-fermenting beer, and must be brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot.

The Aachen Cathedral Treasury is a museum that houses religious and historical artifacts from the Classical, Carolingian, Ottonian, Hohenstaufen and Gothic eras. It is located next to the cathedral. I highly recommend to visit as the number of relics and golden religious artefacts and works of art is just stunning. Here just few:

Charlemagne’s right hand relic
Three Towers Reliquary (13th century). With fragments of St John the Baptist’s hair-shirt, Christ’s sweat-rag from the crucifixion and part of a rib of St Stephen.
Gothic Bust of Charlemagne
Roman sarcophagus, with depictions of abduction of Proserpina.
Coronation robe
These three reliquaries contain (left to right): The belt of the Virgin (Prague, 1360); the belt of Christ (Prague, c 1370/1380); and the flagellation rope of Christ (Prague, c 1380).
Cross of Lothar – a processional cross that is still used, dating from 1000.
 Lothar I, was a Holy Roman Emperor from 843-855.  The grandson of Charlemagne.

It was to eat. We found a cute beer house with local specialities. I totally forgot that this part of Europe likes to combine savoury food with jam. It was a surprise. You see what I am talking about:

Even Charlemagne was a bit sceptical!

146 thoughts on “Chasing the traces of Charlemagne in Aachen, Germany”

  4. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but
    instead of that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read.

    I will certainly be back.

    Feel free to visit my web-site; mega888 online, Mikki,

    Like

    Reply

  5. Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re
    using? I’m planning to start my own blog in the near
    future but I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style
    seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something
    completely unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had
    to ask!

    Feel free to surf to my webpage; download 918kaya – customingenuity.org,

    Like

    Reply

  7. Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot
    drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad
    is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this
    is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

    Here is my homepage … mega888 11

    Like

    Reply

  11. Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of info on your page.

    Im really impressed by it.
    Hello there, You’ve performed a great job. I will definitely digg
    it and for my part recommend to my friends. I am sure they
    will be benefited from this website.

    my web page … id test mega88

    Like

    Reply

  15. Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your blog.
    You have some really good posts and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some content for your
    blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an email if interested.
    Kudos!

    Check out my blog post xe88 game apk

    Like

    Reply

  16. Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand
    your stuff previous to and you are just extremely excellent.
    I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
    You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.

    I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a terrific web site.

    Look at my page; mega888 vip

    Like

    Reply

  22. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to
    make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about,
    why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your
    weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

    Here is my page – xe88 malaysia

    Like

    Reply

  23. Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and
    you’re just extremely great. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.
    You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise.
    I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous web
    site.

    Here is my web-site mega888 malaysia; http://www.chatham.org/index.php/A_Quick_Overview_Of_This_Mega888_Original_Casino,

    Like

    Reply

  24. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything.
    But imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with images
    and videos, this blog could definitely be one of the greatest in its niche.
    Very good blog!

    My web-site – ex88

    Like

    Reply

  25. Excellent blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost
    on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or
    go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused
    .. Any tips? Cheers!

    Here is my site; mega888 download android

    Like

    Reply

  27. I feel this is among the such a lot significant info for me.
    And i am glad studying your article. But wanna commentary on few basic things, The site taste is ideal, the
    articles is actually great : D. Just right process,
    cheers

    Here is my webpage ex88 game apk

    Like

    Reply

  36. Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice
    from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out
    pretty fast. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start.
    Do you have any points or suggestions? With thanks

    Here is my blog post; 918kiss original; Theda,

    Like

    Reply

  38. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent.

    I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you
    are saying and the way in which you say it.
    You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.

    I cant wait to read much more from you. This is
    really a wonderful web site.

    my web-site :: mega888 test id

    Like

    Reply

  40. It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it
    is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or tips.
    Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.

    I want to read more things about it!

    Here is my webpage; xe888 (http://rondevanvlaanderenwiki.be/index.php?title=Delight_In_Your_Favourite_Online_Casino_Game_Titles_Together_With_Your_Smartphone)

    Like

    Reply

  42. Hello there I am so excited I found your site, I really found you by
    mistake, while I was researching on Askjeeve for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a tremendous post and a all
    round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and
    also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be
    back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome job.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage; kiss888

    Like

    Reply

  44. Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your post
    seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought
    I’d post to let you know. The design look great though!
    Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Many thanks

    Feel free to visit my website: 918kaya review

    Like

    Reply

  46. I am extremely impressed along with your writing talents as well
    as with the structure to your weblog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you modify it your self?
    Either way stay up the excellent quality writing, it is uncommon to look a nice weblog like this one these days..

    my web blog – download kis918

    Like

    Reply

  47. Right here is the perfect website for everyone who
    wants to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its
    almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
    You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic that’s been written about for years.

    Great stuff, just excellent!

    Also visit my webpage … joker888 download

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to jackpot pussy888 Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.