Aachen Cathedral

Aachen Cathedral, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sonnenuntergang_Dom.jpg
Author: MBO163


Aachen Cathedral in the city of Aachen, Germany, is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe. It dates back to around AD 792, when Charlemagne began construction of the Palatine Chapel. In 805 Pope Leo III consecrated it in honour of the Virgin Mary. Known as the Royal Church of St Mary at Aachen, it was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. Charlemagne was buried in the vault when he died in 814.

Aachen Cathedral was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 2nd session of the World Heritage Committee held in Washington, D.C., on 5 to 8 September, 1978. It was one of the first of twelve sites to be inscribed into the World Heritage List, the first in Germany and one of the first three European historical sites.

Aachen Cathedral, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AachenerDomVomMuensterplatz.jpg
Author: Lokilech


Dom portal, Aachen Cathedral
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AachenerDomPortal_pano.jpg
Author: Lokilech


Interior of Aachen Cathedral
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aachener_dom_oktagon.jpg
Author: Tobias Helfrich


Alabaster lamps inside Aachen Cathedral
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AC_Dom_Albasterleuchter.jpg
Author: MBO163

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 50 46 28 E 6 05 04
Inscription Year: 1978
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: I, II, IV, VI

Visiting Aachen Cathedral

To reach Aachen, you can fly to Düsseldorf or Cologne-Born, and then take a train from there. From Brussels and Paris, you can take the Thalys high-speed train.

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