Aachen Cathedral: Great cathedral with historical, architectural and religious influences (Part – 2)

By Asad Russel –

After Part – 1
The history of the Aachen Cathedral:
To hang over the shrine Barbarossa provided a bronze chandelier in 1168, which still today remains. In a splendid golden shrine had put Charlemagne’s bones the Frederick II in 1215, in the middle of the Octagon beneath the chandelier which was originally placed. 10 years later received another honor the Charlemagne, in Chartres Cathedral was devoted to him when an entire window.

Around 1349 were again distributed the remains of Charlemagne, in relics of interest when a revival, and of Charlemagne especially those, to display some of the bones of two separate reliquaries led to the creation. With thigh bone the Reliquary of Charlemagne and with his skull the Bust of Charlemagne both commissioned by the Charles IV, in the Treasury which both can be seen.

There is the Arm Reliquary in the Treasury also, of Charlemagne’s right arm the ulna and radius bones which displays. In 1481 by King Louis XI of France this was commissioned. As the progenitor of the French kings has been venerated the Charlemagne since 1474.

In the Gothic Style was reconstructed the Palatine Chapel’s choir hall in the meantime. In 1414 was constructed the new Capella Vitrea (the Glass Chapel), of Charlemagne’s death on the 600th anniversary. To the east of the choir was moved the emperor’s shrine, today where the shrine remains.

To manage the increasing crowds of pilgrims to the Palatine Chapel were added a vestibule and several smaller chapels in the 15th century also, and as Aachen Cathedral what we know is the resulting enlarged building.

Thankfully in the World Wars suffered very little damage the Aachen Cathedral. Into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Site to make the entry it was one of the first 12 sites in 1978. To be admitted it was one of the first three European site and for German it was the first. In 2006 was completed on the dome the restoration work of two decades.

At the Aachen Cathedral what to see:
The exterior work –
Carolingian origin is the Westwork, surviving intact from this period with the intervening niche and staircases. From the 17th century almost entirely the porch dates and in 1879 to 1884 was added of the west tower the upper part. In the lower part of the tower survives some Carolingian masonry.

Known as the “Wolf’s Door” features great bronze doors the west portal, for the original Palatine Chapel around 800 AD which were cast. On ancient models they were based and four tons of weight. To their right a smaller and more humble doorway is through the modern entrance.

There are two bronze sculptures which displayed in the entrance hall, one of them is the she-wolf, the 2nd century AD dating from and in Charlemagne’s time brought to Aachen, dating from 1000 AD a large pinecone, a fountain which have decorated may be.

The Palatine Chapel and the Treasures of it –
For the Carolingian architecture anywhere one of the most important example which surviving is the Palatine Chapel. As the Octagon it is known also for the distinctive central area of it.

Will Continue……..

Posted by : Unknown 7:04 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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