Editing Aachen (section)

=== Cathedral ===
{{Main|Aachen Cathedral}}
[[File:Aachen Germany Imperial-Cathedral-01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Aachen Cathedral]]

Aachen Cathedral was erected on the orders of [[Charlemagne]]. Construction began ''c.'' AD 796,{{sfn|Bayer|2000|p=?}} and it was, on completion ''c.'' 798,<ref name="McClendon 1996a-2">{{harvnb|McClendon|1996a|p=2}}.</ref> the largest cathedral north of the [[Alps]]. It was modelled after the [[Basilica of San Vitale]], in [[Ravenna]], Italy,<ref name="Ranson 1998" /> and was built by [[Odo of Metz]].{{sfn|Bayer|2000|p=?}} Charlemagne also desired for the chapel to compete with the [[Lateran Palace]], both in quality and authority.<ref name="Gaehde 1996" /> It was originally built in the [[Carolingian architecture|Carolingian]] style, including marble covered walls, and mosaic inlay on the dome.<ref name="McClendon 1996a-3">{{harvnb|McClendon|1996a|p=3}}.</ref> On his death, Charlemagne's remains were interred in the cathedral and can be seen there to this day. The cathedral was extended several times in later ages, turning it into a curious and unique mixture of building styles. The throne and gallery portion date from the [[Ottonian dynasty|Ottonian]], with portions of the original [[opus sectile]] floor still visible.<ref name="McClendon 1996a-3" /> The 13th century saw gables being added to the roof, and after the fire of 1656, the dome was rebuilt. Finally, a [[Choir (architecture)|choir]] was added around the start of the 15th century.<ref name="McClendon 1996a-4" />

After [[Frederick Barbarossa]] [[Canonisation|canonised]] Charlemagne in 1165 the chapel became a [[Pilgrimage|destination for pilgrims]].<ref name="McClendon 1996a-4" /> For 600 years, from 936 to 1531, Aachen Cathedral was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. The church built by Charlemagne is still the main attraction of the city.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aachen|2013}}.</ref> In addition to holding the remains of its founder, it became the burial place of his successor [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]]. In the upper chamber of the gallery, Charlemagne's marble throne is housed.<ref name="Young">{{harvnb|Young|Stetler|1987|p=273}}.</ref> Aachen Cathedral has been designated as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Aachen |title=Aachen {{!}} Germany |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=26 July 2017 |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808091015/https://www.britannica.com/place/Aachen |url-status=live }}</ref>

Most of the marble and columns used in the construction of the cathedral were brought from Rome and [[Ravenna]], including the [[sarcophagus]] in which Charlemagne was eventually laid to rest.<ref name="Gaehde 1996">{{harvnb|Gaehde|1996|p=4}}.</ref> A bronze bear from [[Gaul]] was placed inside, along with an equestrian statue from Ravenna, believed to be [[Theodric]], in contrast to a wolf and a statue of [[Marcus Aurelius]] in the [[Capitoline]].<ref name="Gaehde 1996" /> Bronze pieces such as the doors and railings, some of which have survived to present day, were cast in a local foundry. Finally, there is uncertainty surrounding the bronze pine cone in the chapel, and where it was created. Wherever it was made, it was also a parallel to a piece in Rome, this in [[Old St. Peter's Basilica]].<ref name="Gaehde 1996" />