Detail on the Aachen Cathedral

Marian Wooden Sculpture at the Aachen Cathedral

Marian Wooden Sculpture at the Aachen Cathedral

I like the design of the Aachen Cathedral. This cathedral has a distinctly different architecture compared to a lot of the heritage churches that I have visited before. The cathedral actually is a combination of different architectures. The original Palatine Chapel is octagonal in shape and I guess it was okay since it was intended to be a chapel as opposed to a full blown cathedral. However, over the centuries the original chapel was built around with various parts being ended over the years. From the outside the cathedral looks like a gothic cathedral but you have to pay attention to the interior to know that it is very different from traditional gothic cathedrals.

Stained Glass Windows at the Aachen Cathedral

Stained Glass Windows at the Aachen Cathedral

There is a lot of detail to take in here. As you might expect, most of these beautiful features are off limits to visitors. The golden altar as well as the Marienschrein is also beyond the reach of people. While I agree to keep people away from these things, I would have wanted to have a closer look at them. There is a sculpture of what appears to be an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary behind the altar. And further back is a wall of stained glass and to me, stained glass windows always look very good. I would also associate stained glass windows with gothic churches. This to me is another sign of how parts of the church were built in different eras.

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