Aachen Cathedral, Imperial cathedral in central Aachen, Germany.
Aachen Cathedral is an imperial cathedral in central Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, combining an octagonal Palatine Chapel with a Gothic choir. The central structure rises beneath a dome, while the choir consists of tall glass windows and slender pillars.
Charlemagne commissioned the chapel from 796 as part of his palace and was buried there in 814. The Gothic choir was built in the 14th century to create more space for streams of pilgrims.
The shrine of Charlemagne stands in the Gothic choir and draws pilgrims who have traveled to this site for centuries. The treasury displays liturgical vestments, reliquaries, and manuscripts that were once used during coronation ceremonies.
The cathedral sits on Münsterplatz and is open daily to visitors, with quiet behavior expected during services. Guided tours allow access to areas that are otherwise not freely accessible.
The bronze pinecone in the atrium is an ancient Roman work that Charlemagne brought from Italy. The throne of the emperor on the upper floor consists of simple marble slabs and was used for coronations over centuries.
Location: Aachen-Mitte
Location: Aachen
Location: North Rhine-Westphalia
Inception: 9 century
Architects: Odo of Metz
Architectural style: Gothic architecture, Pre-Romanesque architecture
Website: https://aachenerdom.de/fr
GPS coordinates: 50.77475,6.08392
Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:26
Palatine Chapel
37 mPalace of Aachen
90 m
Aachen Throne
16 m
Cross of Lothair
89 m
Karlsschrein
36 m
Aachen Cathedral Treasury
84 m
Aachen Altstadt
76 m
Puppenbrunnen
52 m
Marienschrein
22 m
Barbarossa chandelier
1 m
Proserpina sarcophagus
81 m
St. Foillan Church
59 m
Grashaus
87 mMarienstift
74 m
Pala d’oro
15 m
Pipe organs of Aachen Cathedral
0 m
Spatzenbrunnen
40 m
Vinzenzbrunnen
45 m
Haus Goldene Rose
79 m
Altes Komödienhaus (Aachen)
72 m
Paradiesbrunnen
65 mElisabethinnenkloster Aachen
51 m
Aachen Cathedral
3 mSanctus Stephanus
22 mStummer Protest
63 mJean Horegard
50 mVerfolgung queerer Menschen
52 mArchaeological site
68 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
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