Aachen, Germany
While I was frantically trying to finish a 25 page paper for my internship, Justin put together a last minute whirlwind trip of Germany for us. I am so lucky to have a husband who loves to travel and better yet, drive in Europe. He has no fear and is willing to drive anywhere and any amount of hours for us to really maximize our time. And we did.
Our first stop was Aachen, Germany. Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne (A.D. 742-814) made this city the capital of his Frankish empire. His chapel (now a cathedral built on to it), throne and remains are in Aachen. If you have not guessed by now, we LOVE history and Europe is absolutely the place to go for seeing ancient sites.
In addition, the main purpose for traveling to Germany was to experience Christmas and the markets the Germans set up in their towns. The Germans invented Christmas as we know it and do it right! Everything is decorated beautifully and you can feel the Christmas spirit in the air everywhere you go. The only downside...it was frigid. Well pretty much Chicago weather but since leaving Illinois, I have become a complete weather coward. We were bundled up the whole time and soldiered through. O was great-she is a travel champ. And she loved trying all the German food (a big source of anxiety for me).
One of the windows to the many confectionaries in Aachen. It was just so pretty to see how they displayed their chocolate and baked goods. I could have bought the whole store. Justin was in heaven-he could try gingerbread everywhere. It's his fave treat at Christmas.
One of the Aachen Christmas markets. All the markets had booths set up selling ornaments, German handmade goods, candy, baked goods, all types of sausage, fries, waffles, and most importantly...Gluhwein! Gluhwein is a warm wine that is mixed with spices. It is awesome and STRONG. We had very little as we had O with us and knew it would end badly if we consumed too much. But it definitely warmed us up.
Olivia trying some German food at the market. When we walked up to a booth with food, she immediately popped up, took off her mittens and said either, "Try!" or "Eat!" It was hysterical.
The "Imperial Cathedral" or Aachen Cathedral behind us. It is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe. The middle octagonal structure is the original chapel of Charlemagne's palace. It was added on to over the course of centuries. 
The bust of Charlemagne inside the Aachen Treasury. Inside the head is the actual skull of Charlemagne. The Aachen Treasury houses many religious "relics." I think Germany takes the award for how many churches have these so-called relics from the time of Jesus. 
A gold hand and forearm. Look closely inside the opening inside the forearm. It is Charlemagne's actual forearm! This is true as he was buried in Aachen. 
The cathedral lit up at night.
Inside the cathedral is Charlemagne's actual throne. It is made of marble and was used to crown the monarchs for 600 years after Charlemagne.
Behind the altar. The raised up gold sarcophagus in the way back on the left holds the remains of Charlemagne. The closer sarcophagus near the chairs holds religious relics that are brought out every 7 years and people make pilgrimages to come see them. I will not bore you with what is inside as I am skeptical that they are what the church claims them to be.
Justin in front of the original octagonal chapel that Charlemagne built in 792 AD. 
A view of the awesome architecture and design of the cathedral.
1 comment:
This is STUNNING!
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