Aachen – North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
The city of Aachen lies near the borders of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands and was one of the most important centers of the Carolingian Empire. During the late 8th and early 9th centuries, Charlemagne established Aachen as his imperial residence.
At the heart of the city stands the Aachen Cathedral, originally constructed as Charlemagne’s palace chapel. The structure combines Carolingian and later Gothic architectural elements and became the traditional site for the coronation of German kings for many centuries.
Today Aachen Cathedral is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the most historically significant churches in Europe.
