Palatine Chapel in Aachen

The Palatine Chapel in Aachen is the central, early medieval chapel built for Charlemagne’s palace complex and now forms the core of Aachen Cathedral in Germany. Construction took place around the turn of the 9th century and the chapel was consecrated in 805.

Architecturally it is notable for its central octagonal plan beneath a dome, two-story galleries and richly articulated stonework that blend Late Roman and early medieval forms; these elements make it a key surviving monument of Carolingian architecture. The chapel also housed imperial ceremonies and relics connected with Charlemagne’s court.

Commissioned by Charlemagne and attributed in design to the architect Odo of Metz, the chapel functioned as the palace’s religious centre and later played a central role in imperial coronation ritual across the Holy Roman Empire. Its survival and historical importance led to its inclusion in the UNESCO listing for Aachen Cathedral.

The Palatine Chapel sits in the centre of Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, near Germany’s western border; it remains one of the city’s principal historical monuments and is accessible from the surrounding cathedral precinct.

• Consecration date: Consecrated in the year 805 after construction under Charlemagne between about 792 and 805.
• Significance: Served as the chapel of Charlemagne's palace and as the coronation church for many Holy Roman Emperors; it is part of Aachen Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to See #

• Central octagon: The chapel's central octagonal space is topped by a dome and surrounded by a two-story ambulatory and galleries, forming the core of the Carolingian design.
• Upper gallery and imperial area: An elevated gallery and the historic imperial throne area form part of the chapel's ceremonial arrangement used during the Carolingian and later medieval periods.