"You only see what you know" - this realization was at the very beginning of the considerations for making the Palatinate district visible in Aachen's urban space. In addition to structural measures to improve the open spaces around the World Heritage Site Aachen Cathedral, the plan from the outset was to make the significance and history of the site clear in the public space, i.e. to tell the story. Because only those in the know can recognize the traces of history and the special features of the site.
A concept for the urban space was developed with exhibition organizer Monika Müller-Rieger, from which the six chronoscopes emerged. These are approximately 2.50 meter high steles in which animated images and films on the theme of the location are shown. This provides passers-by with information about the special features of each location, its significance, its origins and its development over the centuries.
The six topics are:
Dome
Charlemagne's Palatine Church, the Carolingian Octagon, was the tallest domed building north of the Alps when it was built. The church was built between 794 and 810 based on Byzantine models. Its use was not reserved for the ruling family and court, as Charlemagne also had it built as a collegiate church for a permanent community of clergy and as a parish church for Aachen. From 936 until 1531, almost all German kings were crowned in the church in Aachen. Aachen Cathedral is the episcopal church of the diocese of Aachen and has been an important pilgrimage site since the 13th century.
Palatinate
The Palatinate of Aachen was the most important seat of power in the Frankish kingdom in the early and high Middle Ages. It owed its importance to Charlemagne, who had it extended as his favorite palace. It was larger than any palace complex that Frankish kings had ever built before. From the winter of 794/795, the almost fifty-year-old Charlemagne regularly stayed in Aachen. After his coronation as emperor in Rome on Christmas Day in 800, he moved into the completed palace and made it his permanent residence until his death in 814.
Town hall
The building dates back to the Aula Regia, Charlemagne's royal hall. The palace was rebuilt several times for the coronation ceremonies of the German kings in Aachen, depending on which representational requirements it had to meet. The coronation banquet took place here from 936 to 1531. In the first half of the 14th century, the citizens of Aachen built a new town hall on the foundations of the now dilapidated palace building. As a concession to tradition, they also set up a hall there for the coronation banquet. Since 2009, the town hall has been a stop on the Route Charlemagne and is open to visitors.
Rules for the royal estates
The Capitulare de villis is an estate ordinance issued by Charlemagne for the administration of the crown estates. Among other things, it describes three-field farming, viticulture, fruit cultivation and the breeding of domestic and herd cattle, as well as the keeping of bees and fish farming. It is a reform program for the management of the crown estates, which formed the economic backbone of the royal household. The Capitulare de villis is a wealth of knowledge and experience not only in agriculture, but also in medicine and craftsmanship.
Granus tower
With four Carolingian storeys reaching up to a height of 20 m, the Granus Tower is the most important Carolingian secular building still standing. However, we can still only speculate about its original function. The unique and complex structure of the rooms and staircases inside the tower still raises many questions that cannot be answered satisfactorily based on current knowledge. In the past, prison rooms and later part of the city archives were housed here.
Mineral thermal springs
The Romans settled in Aachen because of its numerous hot and healing springs. The Carolingians were also drawn to Aachen for the same reason. Charlemagne and his father came several times to celebrate Christmas and Easter before Charles built his residence here. The modern heyday of the spa industry began in the 17th century. After the city fire of 1656, Aachen became one of the most fashionable bathing and spa resorts of its time. Famous spa guests, hotels and spa facilities attracted guests from all over Europe. Today, the modern Carolus Thermen continue Aachen's spa tradition.
In the chronoscopes, small films of approx. 2 minutes in length are played, which convey the information in a scientifically up-to-date and at the same time playful way. Three people can look into the "peepholes" of a chronoscope at the same time and talk about what they have seen. As the "peepholes" are positioned at three different heights, children and wheelchair users can also take part.
The stations of the Route Charlemagne, such as the Centre Charlemagne, and of course the cathedral with the Dominformation (reception building for visitors) are closely linked to the chronoscopes and coordinated in terms of content. In the credits, the chronoscopes refer to further information in the museums and information points or generally to the publicly accessible historical buildings themselves.
Communicating the city's history en passant
Chronoscopes are the element of the city's history that has the lowest thresholds. One encounters them as if by chance. Curiosity is aroused because you can look into something hidden. The presentation in the films with the animated images ties in with the viewing habits of children and young people in particular. Some sequences also make you smile or even laugh.
Wilhelm Leisten - Lorent, © Copyright by Wilhelm Leisten - Lorent
A new development for Aachen
The Chronoscope® is a new development for the city of Aachen. Where else has there been such a visual element in public space that allows several people to travel back in time at the same time? Büro Müller-Rieger has therefore registered a European property right.
In addition, the Chronoscope® was developed in a long and sensitive process, which may be exemplary. It was developed especially for Aachen by a renowned exhibition designer in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team. Experts from the fields of history, monument preservation, urban design and media studies all played their part in the development of the "Chronoscope" idea, right through to the further development and detailing of the design and content.