North Rhine-Westphalia / NRW

The "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 ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". The center (and the oldest part) of the cathedral of today is this carolingian octogon, planned are realized by Odo of Metz, one of the first known architects, north of the Alps. Odo had seen obviously seen Byzantine churches. For sure he knew details of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale, that seems to be a model of this chapel. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. The architecture of the octogon is a real hefty "power demonstration". In 805 this construction was probably near to a heavenly miracle. Standing west facing east. In the middle - the huge Barbarossa chandelier. Built 1165/1170 on order of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, (aka "Barbarossa") and his wife Beatrix. in honor of Charlemagne and dedicated to St. Mary. The chandelier is 4,20 meters in diameters and 48 candles could be placed. It depicts the "New Jerusalem", but as it is octogonal, this Jerusalem has 16 towers nd gates instead of the more traditional 12. Even the chain, that holds it - is still the original one. The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The "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 ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". The center (and the oldest part) of the cathedral of today is this carolingian octogon, planned are realized by Odo of Metz, one of the first known architects, north of the Alps. Odo had seen obviously seen Byzantine churches. For sure he knew details of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale, that seems to be a model of this chapel. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. Having entered the cathedral - and looking into the ground floor of the octogon through the arcades around. The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The "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 ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". The center (and the oldest part) of the cathedral of today is this carolingian octogon, planned are realized by Odo of Metz, one of the first known architects, north of the Alps. Odo had seen obviously seen Byzantine churches. For sure he knew details of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale, that seems to be a model of this chapel. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. The architecture of the octogon a real hefty "power demonstration". In 805 this construction was probably near to a heavenly miracle. Standing in the center - looking up. It is known, that under the dome was a mosaic or fresco showing a scene from the "Apocalypse of John". The 24 oldest kings give their crowns to Christ, who is surrounded by the symbols of the evangelists. The version we see today was done 1880/81. Yes, 1/8 of the octogon is uner renovation and hidden ander a plastic cover - and there is something hanging down. Click on the next photo to see, what it is. The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The "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 ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was the "Palatine Chapel". It is known, that the buildings were planned by the architect Odo of Metz. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. The center of the chapel is the octogon, that had a romanesque choir or apse to the east. When more and more pilgrims headed to Aachen, this building was demolished and the gothic choir was built. It was completed 1414. The choir is 25 meters long, 13 meters wide - and 32 meters high. It has about 1000 m² in stained windows and was influenced by the "Sainte-Chapelle" in Paris. The cathedral in Aachen hold relics since Charlemagne´s time, and so pilgrims walked to to Aachen. Since the canonization of Charlemagne in 1165 Aachen got more attractive and pilgrimage grew, when the content of a shrine, that was in the cathedral since hundreds of years, got known in 1239. There was a nappy of Jesus, a waistcloth of Jesus, a gown of St. Mary and the cloth in which the head of John Baptist had been wrapped in. These relics started a pilgrimage, named "Aachener Heiligtumsfahrt" - and to "manage" the masses, this choir had to be built, a shrine by itself. The "Aachener Heiligtumsfahrt" took place in a rythm of seven years - and it still does. The last took place 2007, the next will take place 2014. Here is the website about the pilgrimage in German, there are photos of the relics as well. www.heiligtumsfahrt2007.de/index47-0.aspx The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The "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 ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". The center (and the oldest part) of the cathedral of today is this carolingian octogon, planned are realized by Odo of Metz, one of the first known architects, north of the Alps. Odo had seen obviously seen Byzantine churches. For sure he knew details of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale, that seems to be a model of this chapel. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. Inside the octogon now, facing south. The architecture is a real hefty "power demonstration". In 805 this construction was probably near to a heavenly miracle. Some of the pillars seen here are "reused" roman pillars, that came from Cologne, other roman spolia were transported over the Alps from Rome. During the french occupation after the French Revolution the roman pillars ware taken out - and added to the collection of the Louvre, but about half of them returned in 1815, the rest got replaced by copies. Charlemagne was buried here in 814. In 1000 Emperor Otto III had Charlemagne's grave opened. Otto of Lomello, one of the courtiers, wrote, that Charlemagne was sitting in his grave and that the body showed no decay. Only the tip of Charlemagne´s nose was - gone. Otto replaced this tip with gold. 65 years later Frederick I Barbarossa opened the grave, to place the remains now in a sarcophagus, said to be the one in which Augustus Caesar was buried. The bones lay in this until 1215, when Frederick II had them put in a casket of gold and silver. And there they still are. I remember, that many years ago, visitors could walk the upper floor as well and see Charlemagne´s throne, made by marble from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Though it was not allowed, parents placed their kids on the throne - and took a photo. That it not possible any more. The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

Norbert von Xanten founded the Premonstratensian order In Premontre (near Laon) in 1120 - and already 10 years later (1130), after a donation, the first Premonstratensian monks could settle here. The basilica was built between 1138 and 1181. After the Battle of Worringen (1288), that took place only about 10kms east, and later again when troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold aka "Charles the Reckless) in 1474 sieged the town of Neuss, the monastery got severly damaged. The eastern apse had to be rebuilt (in Gothic style). The Baroque gatehouse is from 1723. When Napoleon occupied the left bank of the Rhine, the last monks fled and the monastery got looted by the villagers. The complex got secularized and sold. It was ruined, when in 1895 the Spiritans ("Congregation of the Holy Spirit") acquired it. They renovated it and founded a seminary. It was seized by the Nazis in WWII, but after the war Spiritans could return.

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. Standing on the "Katschof", a place that was part of the palace-area, north of the cathedral. Here were the corridors of power around 800. The carolingian octogon is the middle part of the building. The gothic choir on the left was added later. Parts of the westwork to the right date back to the carolingian structure, but the tower is way newer. The carolingian octogon, having a baroque roof now, was planned by the Odo of Metz, who obviously had seen Byzantine churches. For sure he had had seen the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale seems to be a model of this chapel. The Palatine Chapel was a model for many buildings constructed later. One of these can be found in a small alsatian village of Ottmarsheim, about 500 kilometers southeast. Have a look: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4185485507/ The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

Norbert von Xanten founded the Premonstratensian order In Premontre (near Laon) in 1120 - and already 10 years later (1130), after a donation, the first Premonstratensian monks could settle here. The basilica was built between 1138 and 1181. After the Battle of Worringen (1288), that took place only about 10kms east, and later again when troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold aka "Charles the Reckless) in 1474 sieged the town of Neuss, the monastery got severly damaged. The eastern apse had to be rebuilt (in Gothic style). The Baroque gatehouse is from 1723. When Napoleon occupied the left bank of the Rhine, the last monks fled and the monastery got looted by the villagers. The complex got secularized and sold. It was ruined, when in 1895 the Spiritans ("Congregation of the Holy Spirit") acquired it. They renovated it and founded a seminary. It was seized by the Nazis in WWII, but after the war Spiritans could return. Of course Kloster Knechtsteden, with it´s wonderful Romanesque abbey church, is very popular for weddings. As you see, I "blurred" the photo. Just in case, the newlyweds would like a "proper" one, just drop me a line.

Norbert von Xanten founded the Premonstratensian order In Premontre (near Laon) in 1120 - and already 10 years later (1130), after a donation, the first Premonstratensian monks could settle here. The basilica was built between 1138 and 1181. After the Battle of Worringen (1288), that took place only about 10kms east, and later again when troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold aka "Charles the Reckless) in 1474 sieged the town of Neuss, the monastery got severly damaged. The eastern apse - seen here - had to be rebuilt (in Gothic style). When Napoleon occupied the left bank of the Rhine, the last monks fled and the monastery got looted by the villagers. The complex got secularized and sold. It was ruined, when in 1895 the Spiritans ("Congregation of the Holy Spirit") acquired it. They renovated it and founded a seminary. It was seized by the Nazis in WWII, but after the war Spiritans could return.

Norbert von Xanten founded the Premonstratensian order In Premontre (near Laon) in 1120 - and already 10 years later (1130), after a donation, the first Premonstratensian monks could settle here. The basilica was built between 1138 and 1181. After the Battle of Worringen (1288), that took place only about 10kms east, and later again when troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold aka "Charles the Reckless) in 1474 sieged the town of Neuss, the monastery got severly damaged. The eastern apse had to be rebuilt (in Gothic style). When Napoleon occupied the left bank of the Rhine, the last monks fled and the monastery got looted by the villagers. The complex got secularized and sold. It was ruined, when in 1895 the Spiritans ("Congregation of the Holy Spirit") acquired it. They renovated it and founded a seminary. It was seized by the Nazis in WWII, but after the war Spiritans could return.

Norbert von Xanten founded the Premonstratensian order In Premontre (near Laon) in 1120 - and already 10 years later (1130), after a donation, the first Premonstratensian monks could settle here. The basilica was built between 1138 and 1181. After the Battle of Worringen (1288), that took place only about 10kms east, and later again when troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold aka "Charles the Reckless) in 1474 sieged the town of Neuss, the monastery got severly damaged. The eastern apse had to be rebuilt (in Gothic style), while the (older) western - apse seen here - is Romanesque. When Napoleon occupied the left bank of the Rhine, the last monks fled and the monastery got looted by the villagers. The complex got secularized and sold. It was ruined, when in 1895 the Spiritans ("Congregation of the Holy Spirit") acquired it. They renovated it and founded a seminary. It was seized by the Nazis in WWII, but after the war Spiritans could return.

Norbert von Xanten founded the Premonstratensian order In Premontre (near Laon) in 1120 - and already 10 years later (1130), after a donation, the first Premonstratensian monks could settle here. The basilica was built between 1138 and 1181. After the Battle of Worringen (1288), that took place only about 10kms east, and later again when troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold aka "Charles the Reckless) in 1474 sieged the town of Neuss, the monastery got severly damaged. The eastern apse had to be rebuilt (in Gothic style). When Napoleon occupied the left bank of the Rhine, the last monks fled and the monastery got looted by the villagers. The complex got secularized and sold. It was ruined, when in 1895 the Spiritans ("Congregation of the Holy Spirit") acquired it. They renovated it and founded a seminary. It was seized by the Nazis in WWII, but after the war Spiritans could return. Standing in the nave, facing east to the Gothic apse.

Norbert von Xanten founded the Premonstratensian order In Premontre (near Laon) in 1120 - and already 10 years later (1130), after a donation, the first Premonstratensian monks could settle here. The basilica was built between 1138 and 1181. After the Battle of Worringen (1288), that took place only about 10kms east, and later again when troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold aka "Charles the Reckless) in 1474 sieged the town of Neuss, the monastery got severly damaged. The eastern apse had to be rebuilt (in Gothic style). When Napoleon occupied the left bank of the Rhine, the last monks fled and the monastery got looted by the villagers. The complex got secularized and sold. It was ruined, when in 1895 the Spiritans ("Congregation of the Holy Spirit") acquired it. They renovated it and founded a seminary. It was seized by the Nazis in WWII, but after the war Spiritans could return. The west choir is its original state of 1150/60. The fresco also dates back to this time. Christ as Pantokrator in the center, surrounded by the symbols of the evangelists. They are flanked by Paulus (left) and Peter (right). Seen below are the other ten apostles.

Norbert von Xanten founded the Premonstratensian order In Premontre (near Laon) in 1120 - and already 10 years later (1130), after a donation, the first Premonstratensian monks could settle here. The basilica was built between 1138 and 1181. After the Battle of Worringen (1288), that took place only about 10kms east, and later again when troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold aka "Charles the Reckless) in 1474 sieged the town of Neuss, the monastery got severly damaged. The eastern apse had to be rebuilt (in Gothic style). When Napoleon occupied the left bank of the Rhine, the last monks fled and the monastery got looted by the villagers. The complex got secularized and sold. It was ruined, when in 1895 the Spiritans ("Congregation of the Holy Spirit") acquired it. They renovated it and founded a seminary. It was seized by the Nazis in WWII, but after the war Spiritans could return. A crocodile inside the basilica!! Actually this is only the third time, that I find a croc inside a church in Europe. This is part of a collection of exotic animals, sent home by the Spiritan missionaries. The collection is display now in the cloister.

A settlement developed around a Roman miltary camp, built up 16BC and named "Novaesium". Where the church is now was a Roman graveyard in the early times. When the Normans raided Neuss in 866 a convent existed already in Neuss. A church is mentioned here in 1043, legends tell, that Abbess Gepa, the sister of Pope Leo IX, brought the relics of Saint Quirinus (now "Saint Quirinus of Neuss") a 2nd century-martyr, from Rome to Neuss, what brought pilgrims to the growing town. The monastery, now under the patronage of Saint Quirinus, was a house of noble canonesses mid 12th century. The construction of today´s church started in 1209 in late Romanesque style. There was clear influence from nearby Cologne, as just like the older St. Maria im Kapitol ("St. Mary in the Capitol") this church has a trefoil choir ("triconchos"). The church was completed already in 1230 - and then the tower grew up to nearly 100 metres. In 1741, the church was badly damaged by lightning and The gothic helmets of the west and east towers over the crossing. Instead, the building got a Baroque dome with the statue of Quirinus and a flat pyramid roof on the main tower. After the French Revolution the church goot looted and then served as a storage room. The monastery buildings were demolished at that time. In 1944 the church got damaged by a bomb attack. Meanwhile the building is in good condition. The tower - seen here - has round and pointed arches, standing for the Romanesque and Gothic style.

A settlement developed around a Roman miltary camp, built up 16BC and named "Novaesium". Where the church is now was a Roman graveyard in the early times. When the Normans raided Neuss in 866 a convent existed already in Neuss. A church is mentioned here in 1043, legends tell, that Abbess Gepa, the sister of Pope Leo IX, brought the relics of Saint Quirinus (now "Saint Quirinus of Neuss") a 2nd century-martyr, from Rome to Neuss, what brought pilgrims to the growing town. The monastery, now under the patronage of Saint Quirinus, was a house of noble canonesses mid 12th century. The construction of today´s church started in 1209 in late Romanesque style. There was clear influence from nearby Cologne, as just like the older St. Maria im Kapitol ("St. Mary in the Capitol") this church has a trefoil choir ("triconchos"). The church was completed already in 1230 - and then the tower grew up to nearly 100 metres. In 1741, the church was badly damaged by lightning and The gothic helmets of the west and east towers over the crossing. Instead, the building got a Baroque dome with the statue of Quirinus and a flat pyramid roof on the main tower. After the French Revolution the church goot looted and then served as a storage room. The monastery buildings were demolished at that time. In 1944 the church got damaged by a bomb attack. Meanwhile the building is in good condition. The tower - seen here - has round and pointed arches, standing for the Romanesque and Gothic style.

A settlement developed around a Roman miltary camp, built up 16BC and named "Novaesium". Where the church is now was a Roman graveyard in the early times. When the Normans raided Neuss in 866 a convent existed already in Neuss. A church is mentioned here in 1043, legends tell, that Abbess Gepa, the sister of Pope Leo IX, brought the relics of Saint Quirinus (now "Saint Quirinus of Neuss") a 2nd century-martyr, from Rome to Neuss, what brought pilgrims to the growing town. The monastery, now under the patronage of Saint Quirinus, was a house of noble canonesses mid 12th century. The construction of today´s church started in 1209 in late Romanesque style. There was clear influence from nearby Cologne, as just like the older St. Maria im Kapitol ("St. Mary in the Capitol") this church has a trefoil choir ("triconchos"). The church was completed already in 1230 - and then the tower grew up to nearly 100 metres. In 1741, the church was badly damaged by lightning and The gothic helmets of the west and east towers over the crossing. Instead, the building got a Baroque dome with the statue of Quirinus and a flat pyramid roof on the main tower. After the French Revolution the church goot looted and then served as a storage room. The monastery buildings were demolished at that time. In 1944 the church got damaged by a bomb attack. Meanwhile the building is in good condition. May and June are great months to marry. Here is another wedding!

A settlement developed around a Roman miltary camp, built up 16BC and named "Novaesium". Where the church is now was a Roman graveyard in the early times. When the Normans raided Neuss in 866 a convent existed already in Neuss. A church is mentioned here in 1043, legends tell, that Abbess Gepa, the sister of Pope Leo IX, brought the relics of Saint Quirinus (now "Saint Quirinus of Neuss") a 2nd century-martyr, from Rome to Neuss, what brought pilgrims to the growing town. The monastery, now under the patronage of Saint Quirinus, was a house of noble canonesses mid 12th century. The construction of today´s church started in 1209 in late Romanesque style. There was clear influence from nearby Cologne, as just like the older St. Maria im Kapitol ("St. Mary in the Capitol") this church has a trefoil choir ("triconchos"). The church was completed already in 1230 - and then the tower grew up to nearly 100 metres. In 1741, the church was badly damaged by lightning and The gothic helmets of the west and east towers over the crossing. Instead, the building got a Baroque dome with the statue of Quirinus and a flat pyramid roof on the main tower. After the French Revolution the church goot looted and then served as a storage room. The monastery buildings were demolished at that time. In 1944 the church got damaged by a bomb attack. Meanwhile the building is in good condition. Here are two (of the three) conches of the choir.