Aachen Cathedral in Germany, resort of Aachen
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Aachen Cathedral, also known as the Imperial Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Diocese of Aachen, where the coronations of the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire were held for centuries. The Chapel of Charlemagne, which has survived to this day, is the oldest and most precious part of the cathedral complex. In the eastern part of the temple, you can see beautiful Gothic choirs. The construction of the cathedral was started by Charlemagne around 800. Specialists from Byzantium and Rome were specially invited for this. Their task was to create a monumental stone building on German territory. In 805, the building of the cathedral was consecrated by Pope Leo the Third, and 9 years later, Charlemagne was buried here in the chapel. The imperial palace chapel was erected on the initiative of Charlemagne in 796. Odon Metsky became the author of the project. The chapel was made in the Byzantine style. Reaches a height of 31 meters, it is an octahedral dome, surrounded by a two-storey 16-sided gallery. In the years 1353-1414, a Gothic-style choir was added. In the central part of the octagon is a stone on which is written: 'Carolo Magno'. Charlemagne's coffin, however, is located elsewhere. In 1000 the emperor Otto III ordered to open the coffin. According to the chronicle of Novalese, the body of the emperor was found dressed in imperial clothes, sitting in a chair with a scepter in his hands and a crown on his head. In 1165, the imperial tomb was reopened at the behest of the Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. Most likely, the emperor moved the remains of Charlemagne to the displayed box, from which they were moved by Frederick II in 1215 to the precious coffin, where they were kept until the 18th century, and then were transferred to the sacristy. The marble chair on which the body of the emperor was found can be observed today at the top of the octagon. Subsequently, Frederick the First also put his hand to the decoration of the temple, – he decorated the building with a magnificent candelabrum. In subsequent centuries, the cathedral was rebuilt several times. Today, in the sacristy of the cathedral, along with the remains of Emperor Charlemagne, other sacred relics are kept - – the underwear of the Virgin Mary, the veil of the infant Christ, the belt in which Christ walked, and the veil on which the execution of John the Baptist took place. These relics were brought from the East during the reign of Charlemagne. Since 1978, Aachen Cathedral has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.    
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