![]() Light is brought in by a three tiered system of circular arched windows. Opposite of this, was the tiered entrance to the rest of the now defunct palace, Westwork. On the east end was a small apse that protruded and was, in later years, replaced by the choir. Above the arches of the gallery, an octagonal drum with window openings rises, on top of which is the cupola. This area was connected to the palace by a passage. The high altar and Imperial throne are located on the upper circuit of the Palatine chapel in an octagonal side room, covered by a barrel vault lying on an angle. The two floors are separated from each other by an expansive cornice. The arched openings of the lower story are only about half as high as those of the Hochmünster, as a result of which the lower story looks stocky and bulky. ![]() This upper story was known as the Hochmünster (high church). Around this inner octagon is a sixteen sided circuit of low groin vaults, supporting a high gallery above. The inner octagon, with a diameter of 14.46 metres (47.4 ft), is made up of strong piers, on which an octagonal cloister vault lies, covering the central room. The Palatine chapel consisted of a high octagonal room with a two-story circuit below. The span and height of Charlemagne's Palatine chapel was unsurpassed north of the Alps for over two hundred years. The architect was Odo of Metz, and the original design was of a domed octagonal inner room enveloped by a 16 sided outer wall. the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna and the Little Hagia Sophia in Constantinople). The octagon in the centre of the cathedral was erected as the chapel of the Palace of Aachen between 796 and 805 on the model of other contemporary Byzantine buildings (e.g. Main article: Palatine Chapel, Aachen View of the Octagon The Barbarossa chandelier under the dome of the Octagon Finally, there are portions that show Ottonian style, such as the area around the throne. ![]() Secondly, the choir was constructed in the Gothic style. First, the core of the cathedral is the Carolingian- Romanesque Palatine Chapel, which was modeled after San Vitale at Ravenna and is notably small in comparison to the later additions. The cathedral uses two distinct architectural styles, with small portions of a third. Reconstruction and restoration took place intermittently over more than 30 years, and cost an estimated €40 Million. However, the glazing of the 14th-century choir hall, the Neo-Gothic altar, a large part of the cloister, and the Holiness Chapel ( Heiligtumskapelle) were irretrievably destroyed. Many of the cathedral's artistic objects had been removed to secure storage during the war, and some which could not be moved were protected within the church itself. Floorplan of Charlemagne's Palatine Chapelĭuring World War II, Aachen, including its famed cathedral, was heavily damaged by Allied bombing attacks and artillery fire, but the cathedral's basic structure survived. It was restored again in 1881, when the Baroque stucco was removed. A cupola, several other chapels, and a steeple were also constructed at later dates. Due to the enormous flow of pilgrims, in 1355 a Gothic choir hall was added, and a two-part Capella vitrea (glass chapel) was consecrated on the 600th anniversary of Charlemagne's death. It suffered a large amount of damage in a Viking raid in 881, and was restored in 983.įollowing Charlemagne's canonization by Antipope Paschal III in 1165, the chapel became a draw for pilgrims. Charlemagne was buried in the chapel in 814. A foundry was brought to Aachen near the end of the 8th century and was utilized to cast multiple bronze pieces, from doors and the railings, to the horse and bear statues. The exact date of completion is unclear however, a letter from Alcuin, in 798, states that it was nearing completion, and in 805, Pope Leo III consecrated the finished chapel. The construction is credited to Odo of Metz. History Animation of Aachen cathedral (English subtitles)Ĭharlemagne began the construction of the Palatine Chapel around 796, along with the rest of the palace structures. In 1978, Aachen Cathedral was one of the first 12 items to be listed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, because of its exceptional artistry, architecture, and central importance in the history of the Holy Roman Empire. The church has been the mother church of the Diocese of Aachen since 1930. From 936 to 1531, the Palatine Chapel saw the coronation of thirty-one German kings and twelve queens. One of the oldest cathedrals in Europe, it was constructed by order of Emperor Charlemagne, who was buried there in 814. Aachen Cathedral ( German: Aachener Dom) is a Catholic church in Aachen, Germany and the seat of the Diocese of Aachen.
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