Heaven Knows No Frontiers-Aachen Cathedral


Back in March of this year...the idea of stopping in Aachen to see the Cathedral seemed like a great idea. And....now that I endured a long, though enjoyable train trip from Copenhagen..the original idea still seems like a good choice.

        

This Cathedral goes back to Charlemaigne and that is significant. If you look at this photo of the side of the Cathedral, one can see the various styles of architecture over the centuries.
It almost seems like someone said...."Hey, we don't have any Moorish influence so let's add some of that"....or "perhaps some late Medieval would be a nice touch."

          

Anyway....the Aachen Cathedral has got it all.

                     

I went early in the morning and it was just me and some designated watchman who wore an official vest and walked around the sanctuary while I sat and walked and took pictures. 
That was it....just us. I spent an hour there.

             

Only about a third of the Cathedral is accessible to the public....much of it was roped off. Charlemaigne is buried somewhere and somewhere are the sacred relics which are revealed only once every seven years.

                        

The relics include the gown of Mary. Baby Jesus' swaddling cloths, Jesus loincloth from his crucifixion and the robe of John the Baptist when he was beheaded.


                   

        Relics.....I'm just the messenger here....telling you what is reported to me.

                      

I have visited a number of Cathedrals and this is one of the more spectacular. Every inch of walls, pillars, and ceiling were covered with color and design. The pulpit was in gold and I could see the golden box which contained the sacred relics. I was there at 8 a.m. and it was just me and the "greeter"...I was able to have quiet time and feel the sense of both peace and grandeur. Before I left town, I had and extra hour and thought I might stop in for another look.

                         

    Alas, the tours had begun and numerous tour guides with their customers were seated here and there in the pews describing the cathedral. Doubtless those tour leaders knew much more than I about the history of the place and the type of art expressed throughout....but at least I got a sense of the place early in the morning when it was filed with the Peace of Christ.

           

A quick look at the neighborhood of the Cathedral reveals the charm of the "Old City"


The one thing that surprised me was the relative lack of a grand entry to the door of the Cathedral. You can be but a block from the Cathedral in certain directions and still not see it. But it does dominate the central area of the old town...along with the Medieval town hall.

                            

                         Aachen in the late Summer. I'm glad I came.

              
             
                                 Peace,   Bob

                              










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