Religious site
Palatine Chapel, Aachen
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The Palatine Chapel, now the heart of Aachen Cathedral, is one of the most significant surviving Carolingian buildings in Europe. Commissioned by Charlemagne around 796 AD, its octagonal central space is modeled after Byzantine churches like San Vitale in Ravenna. Visitors are immediately struck by the soaring dome, the intricate marble columns (some brought from Rome and Ravenna), and the golden Barbarossa chandelier. The chapel houses Charlemagne's throne, made of simple marble slabs, where 32 Holy Roman Emperors were crowned. The treasury contains the Cross of Lothair and other medieval treasures. A visit here offers a direct connection to the power and vision of Charlemagne's empire.
Don't miss
- Charlemagne's marble throne on the upper gallery
- The golden Barbarossa chandelier (12th century)
- The octagonal dome with its Byzantine-inspired mosaics
- The treasury with the Cross of Lothair and Charlemagne's reliquary
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Palatine Chapel, Aachen
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAachen Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt4.7★ · 18 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$7 per personSee dates →
Most bookedCologne City Tour Experience cathedral city on the Rhine4.8★ · 905 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$34 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleAachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide4.8★ · 11 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$275 per personSee dates →More attractions in Aachen