Karl's favorite
Yes, Aachen already existed before Charlemagne.
A look at the archaeological display case in the Elisengarten proves it: The Celts and Romans already appreciated the local hot springs. But it was Charlemagne who gave the city its historical significance. In the early Middle Ages, he made Aachen his favorite palace and the first capital of his European empire.
The historic town hall, built on the foundations of the Carolingian royal hall, is an impressive reminder of the old secular center of power. The spiritual expression of the former greatness is still the Church of St. Mary, Aachen Cathedral. This is where Charlemagne's throne stands and where more than 30 kings were crowned until 1531.
The archaeological showcase, town hall and cathedral are part of the "Route Charlemagne", a walk in the footsteps of Charlemagne to eight important buildings in the city - and the stories they tell. The middle and starting point of the Route Charlemagne is the "Centre Charlemagne - Neues Stadtmuseum Aachen" between the cathedral and the town hall. Here, Charlemagne himself, or at least his life-size effigy, welcomes all visitors who want to get to the bottom of Aachen's history.
Believe it or not, Aachen existed long before Charlemagne.
A glance into the Archaeological Showcase in the Elisengarten proves the point. Ancient Celts and Romans in their own times also appreciated the hot springs here. But it was indeed Charlemagne who first gave the city major historical significance. In the Early Middle Ages, he chose Aachen as his favourite palace, and transformed it into the first capital city of his European empire.
The historic Town Hall, erected on the foundations of the original Carolingian King's Hall, is an impressive reminder of Aachen's past glory as a seat of secular power. The spiritual expression of this former glory has also endured to this day: Charlemagne's Church of St Mary, now known as Aachen Cathedral. That's where Charlemagne's throne stands, and that's where - up to 1531 - more than 30 kings were crowned.
The Archaeological Showcase, the Town Hall and Aachen Cathedral are stations on the "Route Charlemagne", a walk through history in Charlemagne's footsteps that takes you to eight significant sites in the city - and reveals the stories each of them has to tell. The heart and starting point of the Route Charlemagne is the "Centre Charlemagne - New City Museum of Aachen", located between the Cathedral and the Town Hall. Here, Charlemagne in person - well, at least a life-size image of him - waits to welcome all visitors who would like to delve into the rich history of Aachen.
www.route-charlemagne.eu
