In Aachen Cathedral lies the body of Pater Europae. And who might he be, this Father of Europe, you ask?
When I was an exchange student in the USA, someone once mentioned Charlemagne, a famous emperor of Europe. ‘What?’ I thought at the time. A European emperor I had never heard of? Well, turns out I had, just hadn’t heard him referred to by his French title, Charles le Magne, which, as I learned, is also his name in English. To me, he was Karl den store, Carl (or Charles) the Great.
Charles, as you probably remember from high school history lessons, managed in the late 700s to unite Europe (or Western Europe, at least) for the first time since the Roman Empire, and is known as the founder of the Roman Empire V 2.0, better known as the Holy Roman Empire.
The emperor is thought to have been born here in Aachen, but no one really knows. It could have been Liège, just across the border in present-day Belgium. Details like birth date and location weren’t always taken down in writing a millennium ago. On the other hand, there seems to be little doubt about the details of his death: 28 January 814 in Aachen. He was interred here at Aachen Cathedral on the same day. A few hundred years after his death, Charles was beatified, so this has been a pilgrimage site for centuries.
The emperor lives on in Aachen, through the annual (since 1949) Karlspreis der Stadt Aachen, an international prize awarded to people who promotes European unity. Among the recipients is our friend Winston.
Aachen Cathedral was one of the very first sites added to the World Heritage list back in 1978. And even though is isn’t one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, or even in Germany, it is very impressive and well worth a look. Charles’ gilded sarcophagus is the main attraction, of course.
On the 1200th anniversary of his death – on 28 January this year – scientists concluded, after 26 years’ research, that the bones and fragments inside the sarcophagus of a tall, thin, older man were most likely those of Charles himself.
At 1.84 metres (six feet), he was unusually tall for his time. The team also estimated his weight at around 78 kilograms, giving him a slim body mass index of around 23.
Have you visited Aachen Cathedral?
Aachen Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are more UNESCO World Heritage sites we have visited around the world.
…No, I have not (yet) been to Aachen–but the cathedral does look MAGNIFICENT…
It’s a beautiful cathedral. Hope you’ll go and see it for yourself, Betty 🙂
Aachen Cathedral is amazing! It’s one of my favorite churches out of the many we’ve visited. The mosaics are so beautiful; the history is fascinating. Aachen is a nice city and I hope to make it back there, since it’s a short train ride from where we live in the Netherlands. Next trip I want to buy some Aachener Printen cookies to take home with me 😉
Ooh, I’ve never tried (or even heard of) those cookies. Next time…
I like Aachen, too – that whole border area, really – in all the three countries.
Unfortunately, I haven’t tried them either and only learned of them during a visit to Aachen around Christmas time. Judging by their appearance (large, brown, flat cookies in the shape of people or other images) I imagine they taste similar to Dutch Speculaas, which I have tried and really enjoy. A good enough reason, in my opinion, to take another trip to Aachen 😉
Speculaas… probably the same as spéculoos in France, I imagine. With some sort of image on them – and very tasty, with all kinds of spices. 🙂
Very beautiful…
It is, Lili 🙂
Asa a teenager I’m not sure I would have heard about Karl den Store either, but the Cathedral certainly lives up to his name.
We had a history teacher who loved everything German 🙂
I am so fascinated with European cathedrals and this one is stunning. Unfortunately, I haven’t been here but would love to visit. That gilded sarcophagus is worth the pilgrimage alone to this cathedral.
Next time, eh, Mary?
This looks absolutely stunning! What a beautiful cathedral – I love visiting European cathedrals and that 3rd photo with the stained glass is stunning!
Thank you, Shikha. And thanks for stopping by 🙂
Aachen Cathedral is so beautiful — haven’t been there, but feel as though I have via your pics. I’m pretty sure that Charlemagne is the only historic emperor whose BMI I know. Actually, all very interesting information!
Thank you, Cathy.
Thanks so much for sharing this…the photos are great.
Thanks.
What a stunning place of worship, I would love to see this in person some day, gorgeous
Hope you do. Easy to get to Aachen. 🙂
Stunning cathedral! Aachen is located close to Cologne, which makes it a perfect day trip out of Cologne.
And you can see two stunning cathedrals in one day. Cologne’s is fantastic, too.
What an interesting snippet of history. Thank you!
🙂
That gilded Sarcophagus is unreal! In those days, that would of been a hell of a lot of money!
Must have been.
Sophie, that is truly a fascinating story and I too had never heard of Pater Europae. I also have never been to the cathedral in Aachen and I am almost ashamed to admit it. For some reason it seems often times we travel the least in our own home country. But now that I know a bit of the backgrounds, I will definitely make sure to keep this beautiful looking UNESCO site in mind, when travelling in Europe again… 🙂
Funny, isn’t it, how we often overlook our own backgarden. Germany has so much to offer!
If you ever visit this beautiful AACHEN in that border triangle of Germany/Belgium/Holland.
Please remember the this city was build by the Romans and their footprints are visible all over the city of AACHEN.. The Romans used the natural hot springs to heal from all kinds of ailments. Even today these healing properties of water are used.
It is also worth to mention, that are guided tours into the treasure chamber of the Cathedral are available. Medieval Dinners you will find at Ponttor (Pont Gate), one of the old and beautiful Roman City Gates. Of Course to visit the Cathedral is a absolute must.
Aachen is indeed beautiful. Thanks for the additional information.