Palace of Aachen

The Palace of Aachen was an extensive Carolingian residence in Aachen, of which only the Palatine Chapel survives today as part of the cathedral. The octagonal chapel features ancient columns from Italy, heavy bronze doors, and a central dome resting on eight pillars.

Charlemagne had the palace built in the 790s and made it the governing center of the Carolingian Empire until his death in 814. Most buildings of the complex disappeared over the centuries, while the chapel survived as the coronation site for German kings.

The original complex followed Byzantine models that Charlemagne encountered during his visits to Ravenna. The surviving chapel still shows colored marble cladding and gilded bronze screens that once recalled the splendor of eastern imperial seats.

Visitors can explore the preserved chapel at the center of the present cathedral, accessed through the main entrance. The interior involves steps, and guided tours help explain the medieval layout.

The original complex included a large thermal zone with a swimming pool that could hold more than one hundred bathers at once. Charlemagne made regular use of the city's hot springs, and bathing culture remained central to court life.