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Aachen

Sights in Aachen

  1. A

    Rathaus

    Aachen's Rathaus, a splendid Gothic pile festooned with 50 life-size statues of German rulers, including the 30 kings crowned in town. It was built in the 14th century atop the foundations of Charlemagne's palace of which only the eastern tower, the Granusturm, survives. Inside, the undisputed highlights are the Kaisersaal with its epic 19th-century frescoes by Alfred Rethel and the replicas of the imperial insignia : a crown, orb and sword (the originals are in Vienna).

    reviewed

  2. B

    Cathedral Treasury

    The cathedral treasury is a veritable mother lode of gold, silver and jewels. Focus your attention on the Lotharkreuz, a 10th-century processional cross, and the marble sarcophagus that held Charlemagne's bones until his canonisation; the relief shows the rape of Persephone.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Dom

    It's impossible to overestimate the significance of Aachen's magnificent cathedral. The burial place of Charlemagne, it's where more than 30 German kings were crowned and where pilgrims have flocked since the 12th century.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst

    In a former umbrella factory, the Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst trains the spotlight on contemporary art (Warhol, Immendorf, Holzer, Penck, Haring etc) and also stages progressive changing exhibits.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Suermondt Ludwig Museum

    Of Aachen’s two art museums, the Suermondt Ludwig Museum is especially proud of its medieval sculpture but also has fine works by Cranach, Dürer, Macke, Dix and other masters.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Rathaus

    The Dom gazes serenely over Aachen’s Rathaus, a splendid Gothic pile festooned with 50 life-size statues of German rulers, including the 30 kings crowned in town. It was built in the 14th century atop the foundations of Charlemagne’s palace, of which only the eastern tower, the Granusturm, survives. Inside, the undisputed highlights are the Kaisersaal with its epic 19th-century frescos by Alfred Rethel and the replicas of the imperial insignia: a crown, orb and sword (the originals are in Vienna).

    The Rathaus sits proudly facing the Markt.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Katschhof

    It's worth finding a comfy spot to sit and contemplate this deeply historic square. On the north end is the backside of the Rathaus; across from it is the Dom and its complex of buildings. To the west is a mishmash of old buildings that have parts dating back to when this was part of Charlemagne's palace. This will be the future site of the Route Charlemagne information centre.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Domschatzkammer

    The cathedral treasury is a veritable mother lode of gold, silver and jewels. Focus your attention on the Lotharkreuz, a 10th-century processional cross, and the marble sarcophagus that held Charlemagne’s bones until his canonisation; the relief shows the rape of Persephone.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Couven Museum

    A small applied arts museum which re-creates the living spaces and lives of 17th- and 18th-century patricians.

    reviewed

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  11. J

    Aachener Dom

    It’s impossible to overestimate the significance of Aachen’s magnificent cathedral. The burial place of Charlemagne, it’s where more than 30 German kings were crowned and where pilgrims have flocked since the 12th century.

    The oldest and most impressive section is Charlemagne’s palace chapel, the Pfalzkapelle, an outstanding example of Carolingian architecture. Completed in 800, the year of the emperor’s coronation, it’s an octagonal dome encircled by a 16-sided ambulatory supported by antique Italian pillars. The colossal brass chandelier was a gift from Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa during whose reign Charlemagne was canonised in 1165.

    Pilgrims have poured into…

    reviewed