Aachen - Cathedral

This "Imperial Cathedral" was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the Middle Ages. From 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens.

In 792 Charlemagne (aka "Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805.

Here were the corridors of power around 800. The Carolingian octagon is the middle part of the building. A gothic choir on the left was added later. Parts of the westwork date back to the carolingian structure.

The Carolingian octagon, having a baroque roof now, was planned by the Odo of Metz, who obviously had seen Byzantine churches. For sure he had seen the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale seems to be a model of this chapel.

I have uploaded already many photos taken during previous visits of the "Imperial Cathedral", so this time, this door-knocker is the only one.