Aachen Cathedral
Aachen Cathedral
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  • R K L
    Seattle, Washington2,514 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Charlemagne's private chapel...
    Aachen Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe, was originally constructed by Charlemagne as his private chapel. Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, Charles I, King of the Franks and Lombards and Holy Roman Emperor is buried in Aachen Cathedral. The interior was beautiful and worth a visit.
    Visited November 2022
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 17, 2023
  • empathology
    Rotterdam, The Netherlands513 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A rich romantic cathedral
    Aachen's cathedral dominates the city centre, but the real beauty comes from its lavish interior. It's been beautifully restored and is clearly lovingly maintained and whilst it's not the largest cathedral it certainly impresses with wow-factor when you enter and take it in. The exterior is also impressive though it's hard to gauge the size as it's surrounded on all sides with the small streets of the old city. This doesn't have the vastness of (say) Cologne or St Pauls, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the rich religious imagery inside. Entrance is free (charges apply to the museum) - so if you're close-by, do go!
    Visited July 2023
    Written July 16, 2023
  • CATTSAR
    Provincetown, Massachusetts22,298 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Crown of Aachen
    This is the main attraction! The cathedral is one of the oldest in Europe and serves as the seat o the diocese of Aachen. While there is a question as to the exact date, it is generally believed to have been started and finished in the last years of the 8th century. It was consecrated in 805 by Pope Leo III. This is also the site of Emperor Charlemagne's burial in 814. Numerous coronations of German Kings and Queens have taken place here. There are four different styles used in the construction; Carolingian-Romanesque, Gothic and Ottoman. The inside is a stunning and ornate work of art. There have been numerous renovations over the years. An interesting fact, because of close proximity to the Dutch, Belgium and German borders, it was used as a reference point for both the Allies and Axis in both World Wars, and it remained unscathed. This is a must for anyone interested in religion, history of architecture.
    Visited October 2022
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 16, 2023
  • gfsc5
    Perth, Australia1,479 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Charlemagne
    This wonderful cathedral is linked with one of the most famous people in history - Charlemagne. It dates back to his time over 1,000 years ago. Historic, indeed! It's a lovely cathedral from the outside and displays a few different building styles covering various centuries. There's a touch of my favourite Gothic style but the other bits work for me as well. We visited on a Sunday which meant we only had a small window of opportunity to explore the cathedral. 15 minutes, in fact. When we entered, the first thing that struck me was the amazing mosaic ceiling akin to Turkish/Islamic architecture. Gorgeous. There are a whole pile of other bits of iconography scattered throughout the cathedral and lots of photo ops. Our 15 minutes didn't allow us to see all but what we did see was wonderful Highly recommended. Probably best not to visit on a Sunday.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 31, 2023
  • Marguerite123456789
    Bloemfontein, South Africa10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mosaic tiled ceiling
    The cathedral was closed when I arrived for the whole morning until after lunch on a weekday, so try to find out. The going back later was worth the effort, it is a very beautiful place. Especially the mosaic tiled ceiling is very nice to see.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written August 12, 2023
  • Cindy-Pat-H
    The Netherlands170 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So beautiful ... so sacred!
    This was originally built by Charlemagne and then several sections were added. This Cathedral houses the mortal remains of Kaiser Charlemagne who was canonised in 1165. There is also the Shrine of Our Mother Mary that contains 4 relics and every 7 years they are taken out and put on display. The throne of Charlemagne is on the upper floor and could be seen only with a guided tour.
    Visited August 2023
    Written August 22, 2023
  • Carlo H
    Nijmegen, The Netherlands92 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful church. Take your time!
    This might be the most beautiful church in Europe. It’s the mix all sorts of styles. The mosaic on the roof, the dome, It took me a couple of minutes getting used to it. But the it creptnundrr my skin, Really great!!!
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 18, 2023
  • 2CAtravelers
    Brattleboro, Vermont876 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful interior but full of tourists
    This is quite an historically significant church right in the middle of the old town. Unfortunately they are looking to make money so they even try to charge a fee to take pictures. Tourists crowd the cathedral which detracts from the experience. It is truly beautiful inside although only special groups are allowed into the altar area. We're glad we visited here but bothered by the sheer number of tourists inside.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 28, 2023
  • Nash
    Sydney, Australia7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must see for history lovers!
    This magnificent structure is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe, and it's packed with stunning artifacts and architecture. From the beautiful bronze baptismal font to the four-story choir and four towers, Aachen Cathedral is a sight to behold. I was truly amazed by the beauty and grandeur of this incredible building.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 6, 2023
  • Iris Espinoza
    Bridgnorth, United Kingdom4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Monument to Gothic Architecture
    Aachen Cathedral is an awe-inspiring monument to Gothic architecture. Its four towers, vaulted ceilings, and Baroque chapels are a testament to its rich history and the skill of its builders. It is a must-see for anyone interested in European art and architecture.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 24, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
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Excellent
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813
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128
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L C
San Francisco, CA2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Solo
I have travelled three thousand miles twice to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and have left disappointed both times.

My first visit, the Cathedral was closed for an event, without warning or explanation. The website warns you that this may happen, but doesn't post the closures, so it is not until you've expended considerable effort and money that you find out.

My second visit, the one non-German tour was sold out by the time I got into Aachen You can't book these tours on the web in advance, so you run the risk that you can travel hours and end up out in the cold.

At this point, I am out hundreds of dollars, largely due to their capricious closures, and refusal to use the web to allow advanced booking. They need to understand that this is world monument of international importance, and treat it as such.

As best as I can tell from the guidebooks and what I saw, very little of the Charlemagne era structure is still visible. I won't be travelling a third time to see what amounts to a lot of baroque frill and modern reconstruction.
Written April 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ElaineAndGreg
Chesterland, OH3,039 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
The Emperor Charlemagne died in 814 and is buried here. The fact that we can visit his tomb 1200 years later brought us to Aachen and we weren’t disappointed.

The Cathedral itself is highly worthwhile. The main part is an octagonal room with a gilt ceiling, which is very striking. Charlemagne’s tomb, in gold, is in an adjacent room with limited access, but is easily viewable from the public areas. The limitation may have been temporary, due to COVID or perhaps a service, but it did not affect our enjoyment of the visit as it was easily seen from where we were standing.

In the past they banned photography, but now you can take pictures for something like 1 Euro. Spend it. It is worth it.

There are many fine decorative elements around the interior and exterior of the Cathedral. They are worth taking a few minutes to look around.

This isn’t a large attraction as compared to, say, many other European Cathedrals, but the architecture is unique and attractive. The beauty and historical connections are well worth a visit.

Note: The area around the Cathedral is fun. Look especially for all of the creative fountains nearby. About 100 feet away, for example, is the puppet fountain, which is a lot of fun. You’ll know it from the name when you see it. There are many others scattered around the old part of town.
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

vsop-50
Vlijmen, The Netherlands987 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
Beautiful Cathedral. Free entrance, but they ask for a voluntary contribution of €1 into a gift box if you want to take pictures.
Which I think is ok.
Spectacular marble walls, beautiful chandeliers and ceilings.
Written December 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roberts69
Northampton, UK18,303 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
The cathedral in Aachen in stunning inside and out. It's appearance has evolved constantly over the past 1200 years and was modified a little during WW2 by the Royal Air Force. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site (from 1978) and it really is a place to visit and remember. There is no fee to enter, just a €1 charge for photography. Mondays it is open 10am to 1pm and the rest of the week from 10am to 5pm (6pm April to December). There is a treasury shop for gifts and books. The decoration inside is beautiful, especially the stunning ceiling of the Octagon. Not much more to say (look at my photos) other than go and visit this splendid 1200 year old building, it is a work of art.
Written November 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cannuckk
Langley, Canada359 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Couples
Too many times when visiting a famous European church we have taken advantage of free admission and simply wandered through the building, getting some sense of the power of the architecture and artistry but having a minimal look into the history. Not this time. On the advice of a borrowed guide book we purchased (5 euros each) a tour, and boy are we glad we did. Getting that knowledge about the way the church was constructed ( over many years and different architectural styles) and the personalities involved over the years gave us a much greater appreciation for the historical significant of what we were seeing-. As other reviewers have noted, the tours get an up close and personal look at Charlemagne’s Sarcophagus, the throne room and other fascinating details in the church. And, our tour guide was both informative and entertaining. My advice? Take the tour. Take the tour. Take the tour.
Written September 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

StevenKolsteren
Groningen, The Netherlands191 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
The palace chapel is a very important building in history. Its shape derives from the Byzantine imperial city of Ravenna and shows the power of Charlemagne. The mosaics are 19th century additions, but still the offer a magnificent experience. The cathedral was closed during our visit because of a 'pilgrimage' of 1600 awestruck children, and opened at 15 hours. It was well worth the wait. Free entrance. The 1 euro fee for taking photos is ignored by many, just ask for a small donation.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Darren D
Texas761 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
There is no charge to tour the cathedral, and the only requirement is to remove your hat upon entrance. At Christmastime, when we visited, there were many festival booths surrounding the cathedral and city hall, which adds extra beauty with lights, Christmas trees, etc. The cathedral is beautiful on the outside and even more stunning inside. If in Aachen, it is easy to find.
Written December 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hbkm
Leverkusen, Germany329 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2020 • Family
I’m a historically interested person and really looking forward to seeing the Cathedral of Aachen. And I was amazed! The building was constructed during different eras and one can clearly see the corresponding architectural styles. The ceilings are decorated with impressive mosaics, the columns are formidable, too. The entire building is a beauty, from the inside as well as the outside.
Written May 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pedro B
Aachen, Germany3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
The outside from Aachen's Dom is of course very beautiful! It's unique archtecture is well integrated with the surroundings and so on. But, once you step in the Cathedral is a whole new experience! It looks like an antique and unique sacred mosk. From the ground to the ceiling, every detail draws your attention!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

empathology
Rotterdam, The Netherlands513 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
Aachen's cathedral dominates the city centre, but the real beauty comes from its lavish interior. It's been beautifully restored and is clearly lovingly maintained and whilst it's not the largest cathedral it certainly impresses with wow-factor when you enter and take it in. The exterior is also impressive though it's hard to gauge the size as it's surrounded on all sides with the small streets of the old city.

This doesn't have the vastness of (say) Cologne or St Pauls, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the rich religious imagery inside. Entrance is free (charges apply to the museum) - so if you're close-by, do go!
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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