Charlemagne’s palace once extended across the Katsch Hof, now lined with ugly modern buildings, to the site of the 14th century Rathaus, which incorporates two of the palace’s towers. Fronting the Markt, which boasts the finest of the medieval houses left in the city, its facade is lined with the figures of fifty Holy Roman Emperors. The glory of the interior is the much-restored Kaisersaal, repository of the crown jewels – in reproduction. The originals have been in Vienna since the early 19th century, when they were commandered by the Habsburgs for their new role as emperors of Austria.

Palace chapel and cathedral
The former octagon crowning chapel is now included into the gothic cathedral building. Adorning the main altar is the Pala d’Oro, an 11th century altar front embossed with scenes of the Passion. Behind is the ambo, a pulpit of gold-plated copper covered with precious stones. Suspended from the dome by a mighty iron chain is a massive12th century chandelier. At the end of the chancel, the gilded shrine of Charlemagne, finished in 1215 after fifty years’ work, contains the remains of the emperor. In the gallery is the imperial throne, perhaps made for the coronation of Otto I, which initiated the tradition of emperors being crowned at Aachen. In order to see the throne you have to join a guided tour.

The cathedral’s Schatzkammer is the richest treasury in northern Europe. Prominent is the late-tenth-century Lothair cross, studded with jewels and bearing a cameo of Augustus, and the Roman sarcophagus which served as Charlemagne’s tomb for 400 years.
Openings=Tue – Sat: 10am – 5pm (Thu till 8pm), Mon: 10am – 1pm, Sun: 10.30am – 5pm (Schatzkammer)