CATHEDRAL AT AACHEN (AIX-LA-CHAPELLE)

WIENER, Jacques: Germany, 1849, Bronze, 59 mm
Obv: View of exterior of cathedral
Exergue: MUNSTERKIRCHE ZU AACHEN NACH IHRER WIEDERHERSTELLUNG
On left:  GESTOCHEN VON J. WIENER
On right:  NACH ZEICHNUNGEN VON T. STEIN
Rev: View of interior
Exergue: INNERES DER MUNSTERKIRCHE ZE AACHEN DAS OCTOGON ERBAUT VON CARL DEM GROSSEN 796-804. DAS HOHE CHOR GEGRUNDET DURCH GERHARD CHORUS 1353 BEENDET 1414
Ref: Van Hoydonck 46;  Europese Penningen # 70

The Cathedral at Aachen was begun under Charlemagne's auspices in 796. It was almost entirely wrecked by Norman raiders and rebuilt by the Emperor Otto in 983. The octagonal domed structure dates from that period. The Gothic choir was added in the 14th and early 15th centuries. The spire is modern and was damaged during World War II, as were the roofs of the chapel and baptistry.  Aachen is not a cathedral in the customary use of the word as Aachen was not a seat of a bishop.

LINK to History of  Ecclesiastic Architecture (from World History at KMLA)

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