Aachen Cathedral: Great cathedral with historical, architectural and religious influences (Part – 3)

By Asad Russel

After Part – 2
At the Aachen Cathedral what to see:
The Palatine Chapel and the Treasure of it –
Originally are from the Carolingian era the bronze gate of the gallery and the columns, but survives none of the decoration which is original. In a Cosmati style is the fine marble floor but from 1913 it dates.

There is the Barbarossa’s Chandelier in the center of the Palatine Chapel hanging from the vault, to celebrate Charlemagne’s canonization commissioned by Fredrick Barbarossa a huge bronze circlet which diameter is 4.2 meter. In Aachen in 1165 to 1184 it was created and from Barbarossa and his wife Beatrix to Mary with a dedication is inscribed. The candles are lit on special holy days, a quite spectacular sight which must be.

As envisioned in Revelation the Heavenly Jerusalem represents the chandelier’s design, described in Revelation instead of the twelve with eight archways and smaller towers it has only eight towers yet. Fortunately explain this the dedicatory inscription, the deviation was intentional from the description of bible, so that for which it was designed into the eight sided imperial chapel would fit perfectly the chandelier.

In 1882 executed by Salviati of Venice with golden mosaics is adorned the vault of Octagon, by the 24 Ancients of the Apocalypse Christ surrounded which show. By a cupola is crowned the Octagon, above the pavement about to 31 meters or 102 feet which rises. In the northern Europe among the vaulted interior it was the highest for centuries.

There is the 14 century statue of Our Lady of Aachen in the Octagon of the altar standing to the right, Christ Child a rather mischievous looking holding. The patron saint of the cathedral she represents and to work miracles has been said. To give her dresses and jewelry it has been customary since 17th century.

The marble throne the visitors can view in the upper gallery, between 936 and 1531 on which were coronated 32 Holy Roman Emperors. To Carolingian times the throne dates and by Charlemagne himself was likely used, for his coronation not for thought that, in Rome which took place. By bronze clamps held together consisting of four ancient slabs of marble, is very simple the throne. To Solomon’s throne allude, from an ancient column partly carved its six steps of marble.

Purely are decorative in the gallery the fine columns, of the arches not bearing any weight. From the ancient buildings of Ravenna and Rome shipped from had 32 of them the Charlemagne. In the French Revolution were looted most of them but since have been returned 22 and in the gallery to their place restored. In the time of Charlemagne in Aachen between the pillars were cast the bronze grilles. The elaborated patterns they have which indicate the influences of Roman, Frankish and Celtic, and across from each other are marched in pairs.

The Gothic Choir and the Treasures of it –
There is the Gothic or the Capella Vitrea of 1414 which also known as the Glass Chapel beyond the altar, which is a stunning sight. The walls which rises about 100 feet high with 13 colorful windows are filled. By fires were badly damaged the original windows and in World War II by the bombing raids finished off, from the 1950s dates the present glasses. 

Will Continue........

Posted by : Unknown 7:55 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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