The Cathedral at AixlaChapelle Aachen

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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)
A discussion of the masterpiece of Carolingian
architecture.
Presented by Kevin Bohnstedt
29 November 2004
Architecture 170 - Architecture History I
Instructor Rolando Gonzalez, M. Arch.,
Architect, A. I. A.
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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)

• OVERVIEW
• Last Roman Emperor deposed in AD 493
• Over 300 years of darkness
• Charlemagne (742-814)
• King of the Franks 768-814
• Holy Roman Emperor 800-814
• Wished to establish link to the great rulers of
  the past
• Patronage of the Arts
• revival of classical learning and culture key to
  this link

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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)

• THE PALACE
• Why a Palace?
• To centralize the functions of the empire
• Why Aachen?
• Link to Rome
• Central Location
• Specifics on the Palace
• Structures
• Locations
• Fortifications
• Chapel

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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)

• IMPORTANT DATES
• 798 earliest reference
• 805 consecrated
• 813 Louis the Pious crowned
• 814 Charlemagne interred
• 936 Otto I crowned
• For 600 years, 32 HRE crowned here
• 1414 Choir reconstructed in Gothic style
• 15th Century several subsidiary chapels and
  vestibules added
• Changed designation to Cathedral
• 1978 First German Cultural landmark added to the
  UNESCO world heritage site list

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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)

• Specifics on Chapel
• Architect Otto von Metz
• Dedicated to the Virgin Mary
• Sizes have importance
• Intricacies of the royal throne
• Why was this plan chosen?
• Influences in design
• San Vitale?
• Hagia Sophia?
• Others?

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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)
San Vitale
Aachen

• Differences
• 16 sides vice 8
• Central space flows up to niches with less
  fluidity
• Simplified groin vaults
• Towers add Westwerk
• Atrium vice Transept
• Emphasis on strongly defined spatial units vice
  floating quality

• Similarities
• Octagonal overall shape
• 3 levels in the main chapel
• Arched main floor, galleries
• Great height in small area
• Classically Byzantine mosaic and bronze work

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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)
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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)
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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)
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The Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)
Questions?