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Palace Complex of Aachen

Type Object Region Rhineland Time c. 794–814

Imperial palace complex built by Charlemagne at Aachen in the late 8th century, centered on the octagonal Palatine Chapel (core of today's Aachen Cat…

Timeline

  1. c. 794–805Aachen · RhinelandCharlemagne chose the spa town of Aachen as the empire's permanent capital, beginning construction of the palace complex in 794, introducing Byzantine and Ravenna architectural elements and planning the palace, chapel, baths, and colonnaded courtyard.
  2. c. 805–814Palatine Chapel, Aachen · AachenAround 805 the octagonal Palatine Chapel was completed, modeled on the Church of San Vitale, becoming the core of imperial coronation and ceremony; Charlemagne resided here in his later years to handle state affairs and was buried within the chapel.
  3. c. 801–900Palace district of Aachen · RhinelandFrom 801 to 900, the Palace of Aachen continued to serve as the administrative center of the Carolingian and early East Frankish dynasties, with the court school, chancery, and audiences operating there, influencing the later imperial capital tradition of the Holy Roman Empire.

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