Aachen Cathedral Photos

Aachen Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dates from 796-805 when Emperor Charlemagne ordered the building of what is now the Palatine Chapel as an addition to his palace (long destroyed). The Palatine Chapel, designed by Odo Metz & noted for its octagonal shaped domed roofed, is in Carolingian-Romanesque style and modeled on contemporary Byzantine churches including Ravenna. Later century additions are Gothic. The Palatine Chapel saw coronations of 31 German kings & 12 queens. Charlemagne remains in an ornate shrine.

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Roofline silhouette of Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Aachen Cathedral with additions over next few centuries. Aachen, Germany.Gallery, tower & spires of Aachen Cathedral, seen from west. Aachen, Germany.Chapel of Hungary at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Roofline silhouette of Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Aachen Cathedral (c800) with additions over next few centuries. Aachen, Germany. Style: Carolingian-Romanesque, Gothic, Ottonian. Architect: Odo of Metz.Gallery, tower & spires of Aachen Cathedral, seen from west. Aachen, Germany.Chapel of Hungary at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Interior of Palatine Chapel , initially chapel of Charlemagne's palace within Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Octagonal shaped, gilded copper Barbarossa Chandelier in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Mosaic ceiling with Christ enthroned, symbols of the four Evangelists & Elders from Apocalypse of John offering their crowns to Christ under dome of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Mosaics above gallery and on dome of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Interior of Palatine Chapel (796-805), initially chapel of Charlemagne's palace within Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Octagonal shaped, gilded copper Barbarossa Chandelier (c1170) in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Mosaic ceiling with Christ enthroned, symbols of the four Evangelists & Elders from Apocalypse of John offering their crowns to Christ under dome of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral (original c800, redone 1880). Aachen, Germany.Mosaics above gallery and on dome of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Details of mosaic of Elders from Apocalypse of St John offering their crowns to Christ above gallery in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Eagle representing Evangelist St John & Elders from Apocalypse of St John offering their crowns to Christ above gallery in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Mosaic ceiling with Christ enthroned, symbols of the four Evangelists & Elders from Apocalypse of John offering their crowns to Christ under dome of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Symbols of the four Evangelists surrounding center medallion on dome of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Details of mosaic of Elders from Apocalypse of St John offering their crowns to Christ above gallery in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Eagle representing Evangelist St John & Elders from Apocalypse of St John offering their crowns to Christ above gallery in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Mosaic ceiling with Christ enthroned, symbols of the four Evangelists & Elders from Apocalypse of John offering their crowns to Christ under dome of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral (original c800, redone 1880). Aachen, Germany.Symbols of the four Evangelists surrounding center medallion on dome of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Plaque integrated into mosaics stating that they were donated by Charlemagne in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Plaque integrated into mosaics stating that Pope Leo III consecrated what is now known at the Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Mosaic including St James Major & St Peter carrying the Keys to the Kingdom in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Elaborate mosaic foliage on ceiling in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Plaque integrated into mosaics stating that they were donated by Charlemagne (aka Emperor Charles the Great) in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Plaque integrated into mosaics stating that Pope Leo III consecrated what is now known at the Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Mosaic including St James Major & St Peter carrying the Keys to the Kingdom in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Elaborate mosaic foliage on ceiling in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Elaborate mosaic foliage in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Elaborate mosaic on ceiling in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Details of elaborate mosaic in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Detail of elaborate mosaic in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Elaborate mosaic foliage in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Elaborate mosaic on ceiling in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Details of elaborate mosaic in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Detail of elaborate mosaic in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Mosaic depicting pelican feeding young with her own blood - symbol of self-sacrifice in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Henry II Ambon in Palatine Cathedral at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Image of Virgin Mary & Child standing on crescent moon which represents her miraculous conception & birth in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Image of Virgin Mary & Child in front of Gothic style Choir , known for expanse of stained glass windows, in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Mosaic depicting pelican feeding young with her own blood - symbol of self-sacrifice in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Henry II Ambon (pulpit) (early 11thC) in Palatine Cathedral at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Image of Virgin Mary & Child standing on crescent moon which represents her miraculous conception & birth in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Image of Virgin Mary & Child in front of Gothic style Choir (1345-1414), known for expanse of stained glass windows, in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Stained glass windows in Choir of Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Modern stained glass at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Shrine of Charlemagne aka Karlsschrein where Charlemagne's remains were interred at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Shrine of Charlemagne aka Karlsschrein where Charlemagne's remains were interred at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Stained glass windows in Choir of Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Modern stained glass at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Shrine of Charlemagne (1215) aka Karlsschrein where Charlemagne's remains were interred at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Shrine of Charlemagne (1215) aka Karlsschrein where Charlemagne's remains were interred at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Pala d'Oro , gold altar front with scenes from Passion centered by Christ in Majesty with medallions containing symbols of Four Evangelists in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Tower & spire of Aachen Cathedral with Chapel of Hungary in foreground. Aachen, Germany.Aachen Cathedral framed by greenery. Aachen, Germany.Stained glass windows with tracery & carvings on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Pala d'Oro (c1020), gold altar front with scenes from Passion centered by Christ in Majesty with medallions containing symbols of Four Evangelists in Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Tower & spire of Aachen Cathedral with Chapel of Hungary in foreground. Aachen, Germany.Aachen Cathedral framed by greenery. Aachen, Germany.Stained glass windows with tracery & carvings on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Statuary & gargoyles on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Statuary & Gothic window framing on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Religious statues on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Religious statutes on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Statuary & gargoyles on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Statuary & Gothic window framing on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Religious statues on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Religious statutes on Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.
Religious statues on at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Window inset into rough brick wall of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Gothic details of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Vinzenbrunnen fountain on Munsterplatz in front of Cathedral with statues of Virgin Mary, St Vincent de Paul, Archangel Michael & St Foillan. Aachen, Germany.
Religious statues on at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Window inset into rough brick wall of Palatine Chapel at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Gothic details of Palatine Chapel (796-805) at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany.Vinzenbrunnen fountain on Munsterplatz in front of Cathedral with statues of Virgin Mary, St Vincent de Paul, Archangel Michael & St Foillan. Aachen, Germany.
Plaque announcing Aachen Cathedral's status as a World Heritage site. Aachen, Germany.


Plaque announcing Aachen Cathedral's status as a World Heritage site. Aachen, Germany.


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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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