Cathédrale d'Aix-la-Chapelle

📍 Allemagne
cathedral
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About

Ce site du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO est l'une des plus anciennes cathédrales d'Europe, présentant une architecture carolingienne époustouflante et ayant servi d'église de couronnement des empereurs du Saint-Empire romain germanique pendant plus de 600 ans. Les visiteurs peuvent admirer sa chapelle octogonale, ses précieuses reliques et le célèbre trône de Charlemagne.

Aachen Cathedral stands in the city of Aachen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and counts among the oldest cathedrals in Europe, so a visit suits anyone interested in medieval architecture and the long story of the church in Central Europe.

What to see

  • Carolingian architecture: The building is known for its Carolingian style, which is the main draw for many visitors.

  • The octagonal chapel: Its eight-sided form is the heart of the cathedral and the first thing many people come to see.

  • Precious relics: The cathedral holds relics that have long made it a place of pilgrimage.

  • The Charlemagne throne: This seat is one of the best-known objects in the building.

Why it matters

For more than 600 years, the cathedral served as the coronation church of Holy Roman Emperors. Few churches in Europe can claim a link of that length with a single ceremonial role, and walking through the building gives a clear sense of that history.

Aachen itself is a city worth exploring alongside the cathedral, with its historic centre and its place in the wider region of North Rhine-Westphalia. A visit to the cathedral can be the starting point for a day of walking through the old town.