Aachener Dom

The Aachen Cathedral, which is over 1200 years old, is a heterogeneously constructed building influenced by many stylistic eras , which is characterized by numerous remodelings, demolitions and additions. The function of the church building changed over the course of history from the once Carolingian Palatinate Chapel, to the cathedral church of the Marienstift , to the bishop's cathedral of the present. As the mausoleum of Charlemagne, the collegiate church was the coronation place of Roman-German kings from 936 to 1531 . Since the 14th century, Aachen has developed into an important place of pilgrimage with the shrine trip taking place every seven years . It was only at the beginning of the 19th century that Aachen Cathedral became a cathedral – albeit only for a short time – a function that the church has fulfilled again permanently since 1930.