Aachen Cathedral - One of Europe's Oldest

The Aachen Cathedral, also known as Aachener Dom, is a Roman Catholic church constructed by order of Emperor Charlemagne. From 936 to 1531, the Palatine Chapel saw the coronation of thirty-one German kings and twelve queens. Being one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe, the cathedral’s architecture is a blend of Carolingian-Romanesque, Gothic, and Ottonian styles. The interior is adorned with antique columns that Charlemagne probably ordered to be brought from Rome and Ravenna. In 1978, Aachen Cathedral was one of the first 12 items to be listed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, due to its exceptional artistry, architecture, and central importance in the history of the Holy Roman Empire #localescapes