Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Leo III

After, during the Saxon Wars, Charlemagne´s soldiers had burnt down a Saxon settlement, a stronghold was erected next to the sources of the river Pader. At that time existed already a small church next to the palace, dedicated to "Salvator Mundi". The Saxons returned and of course a couple of times and burnt down, what was built, but finally a new church was erected, that was visited by Pope Leo III, when he met Charlemagne here in 799. This was the start of the diocese. This church got enlarged under the first bishops, especially, when under Louis the Pious, the relics of St. Liborius were transfered to Paderborn from Le Mans. The Carolingian cathedral burnt completely down in 1000. Bishop Rethar (+1009) and Bishop Meinwerk (+1036) managed the erection of the new cathedral, that (probably not completed) got consecrated in 1015. This cathedral burnt down with most of the town in 1058. The cathedral Bischof Imad (+1076) built was much larger and had probably a similar volume as the Paderborner Dom of today. It was consecrated in 1068. Another fire destroyed in 1033 roofs and ceilings. When the cathedral was rebuilt, it got the first vaulting. Most of the Paderborner Dom, seen today, dates to the 13th century. The "Paradies Portal" (Paradise Portal), a narthex, was built end of the 12th century. It combines late Romanesque and early Gothic statuary.

The "Imperial Cathedral" was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the Middle Ages. From 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. In 792 Charlemagne ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". The center (and the oldest part) of the cathedral of today is this carolingian octogon, planned are realized by Odo of Metz, one of the first known architects, north of the Alps. Odo had seen obviously seen Byzantine churches. For sure he knew details of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale, that seems to be a model of this chapel. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. Inside the octogon now, facing south. The architecture is a real hefty "power demonstration". In 805 this construction was probably near to a heavenly miracle. Some of the pillars seen here are "reused" roman pillars, that came from Cologne, other roman spolia were transported over the Alps from Rome. During the french occupation after the French Revolution the roman pillars ware taken out - and added to the collection of the Louvre, but about half of them returned in 1815, the rest got replaced by copies. Charlemagne was buried here in 814. In 1000 Emperor Otto III had Charlemagne's grave opened. Otto of Lomello, one of the courtiers, wrote, that Charlemagne was sitting in his grave and that the body showed no decay. Only the tip of Charlemagne´s nose was - gone. Otto replaced this tip with gold. 65 years later Frederick I Barbarossa opened the grave, to place the remains now in a sarcophagus, said to be the one in which Augustus Caesar was buried. The bones lay in this until 1215, when Frederick II had them put in a casket of gold and silver. And there they still are. I remember, that many years ago, visitors could walk the upper floor as well and see Charlemagne´s throne, made by marble from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Though it was not allowed, parents placed their kids on the throne - and took a photo. That it not possible any more. The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The "Imperial Cathedral" was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the Middle Ages. From 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. In 792 Charlemagne ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was the "Palatine Chapel". It is known, that the buildings were planned by the architect Odo of Metz. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. The center of the chapel is the octogon, that had a romanesque choir or apse to the east. When more and more pilgrims headed to Aachen, this building was demolished and the gothic choir was built. It was completed 1414. The choir is 25 meters long, 13 meters wide - and 32 meters high. It has about 1000 m² in stained windows and was influenced by the "Sainte-Chapelle" in Paris. The cathedral in Aachen hold relics since Charlemagne´s time, and so pilgrims walked to to Aachen. Since the canonization of Charlemagne in 1165 Aachen got more attractive and pilgrimage grew, when the content of a shrine, that was in the cathedral since hundreds of years, got known in 1239. There was a nappy of Jesus, a waistcloth of Jesus, a gown of St. Mary and the cloth in which the head of John Baptist had been wrapped in. These relics started a pilgrimage, named "Aachener Heiligtumsfahrt" - and to "manage" the masses, this choir had to be built, a shrine by itself. The "Aachener Heiligtumsfahrt" took place in a rythm of seven years - and it still does. The last took place 2007, the next will take place 2014. Here is the website about the pilgrimage in German, there are photos of the relics as well. www.heiligtumsfahrt2007.de/index47-0.aspx The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The "Imperial Cathedral" was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the Middle Ages. From 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. In 792 Charlemagne ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". The center (and the oldest part) of the cathedral of today is this carolingian octogon, planned are realized by Odo of Metz, one of the first known architects, north of the Alps. Odo had seen obviously seen Byzantine churches. For sure he knew details of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale, that seems to be a model of this chapel. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. The architecture of the octogon a real hefty "power demonstration". In 805 this construction was probably near to a heavenly miracle. Standing in the center - looking up. It is known, that under the dome was a mosaic or fresco showing a scene from the "Apocalypse of John". The 24 oldest kings give their crowns to Christ, who is surrounded by the symbols of the evangelists. The version we see today was done 1880/81. Yes, 1/8 of the octogon is uner renovation and hidden ander a plastic cover - and there is something hanging down. Click on the next photo to see, what it is. The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The "Imperial Cathedral" was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the Middle Ages. From 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. In 792 Charlemagne ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". The center (and the oldest part) of the cathedral of today is this carolingian octogon, planned are realized by Odo of Metz, one of the first known architects, north of the Alps. Odo had seen obviously seen Byzantine churches. For sure he knew details of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale, that seems to be a model of this chapel. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. Having entered the cathedral - and looking into the ground floor of the octogon through the arcades around. The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The "Imperial Cathedral" was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the Middle Ages. From 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. In 792 Charlemagne ("Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". The center (and the oldest part) of the cathedral of today is this carolingian octogon, planned are realized by Odo of Metz, one of the first known architects, north of the Alps. Odo had seen obviously seen Byzantine churches. For sure he knew details of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale, that seems to be a model of this chapel. Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. The architecture of the octogon is a real hefty "power demonstration". In 805 this construction was probably near to a heavenly miracle. Standing west facing east. In the middle - the huge Barbarossa chandelier. Built 1165/1170 on order of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, (aka "Barbarossa") and his wife Beatrix. in honor of Charlemagne and dedicated to St. Mary. The chandelier is 4,20 meters in diameters and 48 candles could be placed. It depicts the "New Jerusalem", but as it is octogonal, this Jerusalem has 16 towers nd gates instead of the more traditional 12. Even the chain, that holds it - is still the original one. The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

This "Imperial Cathedral" was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the Middle Ages. From 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. In 792 Charlemagne (aka "Charles the Great", "Karl der Grosse") began the construction of a palace here and part of the whole structure was this "Palatine Chapel". Pope Leo III consecrated the chappel in 805. Standing on the "Katschof", a place that was part of the palace-area, north of the cathedral. Here were the corridors of power around 800. The carolingian octogon is the middle part of the building. The gothic choir on the left was added later. Parts of the westwork to the right date back to the carolingian structure, but the tower is way newer. The carolingian octogon, having a baroque roof now, was planned by the Odo of Metz, who obviously had seen Byzantine churches. For sure he had had seen the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, as San Vitale seems to be a model of this chapel. The Palatine Chapel was a model for many buildings constructed later. One of these can be found in a small alsatian village of Ottmarsheim, about 500 kilometers southeast. Have a look: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4185485507/ The cathedral has a very nice website - in German: www.aachendom.de/ Wikipedia has one in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Cathedral and French: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_d%27Aix-la-Chapelle

The Abbey of Saint-Remi was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church. The shrine, holding the relics of Saint Remi, is placed in the center of the choir, erected 1162-1181, when Peter Cellensis (= "Pierre de Celle") was abbot here. The shrine is covered with graffiti.

The Abbey of Saint-Remi was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church. The shrine, holding the relics of Saint Remi, is placed in the center of the choir, erected 1162-1181, when Peter Cellensis (= "Pierre de Celle") was abbot here. As I have uploaded many photos taken here during previous visits, I will now add only a few.

The Abbey of Saint-Remi was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church, that was consecrated by Pope Leo IX in 1049. The towers of the facade are 56m high. While the right one dated back to the 11th century, the right one is the result of a 19th century restauration. As I have uploaded many photos taken here during previous visits, I will now add only a few.

The Abbey of Saint-Remi was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church, that was consecrated by Pope Leo IX in 1049. The towers of the facade are 56m high. While the right one dated back to the 11th century, the right one is the result of a 19th century restauration.

The abbey was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church, that was consecrated by Pope Leo IX in 1049. It was built "over the tomb" of Sait Remi. The nave, seen here, is 122m long - and 26m wide. The original vaulting got destroyed during WWI. The rebuilding process of the basilica was finally completed in 1958. The aisle and the nave.

The abbey was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church, that was consecrated by Pope Leo IX in 1049. It was built "over the tomb" of Sait Remi. The nave, seen here, is 122m long - and 26m wide. The original vaulting got destroyed during WWI. The rebuilding process of the basilica was finally completed in 1958.

The abbey was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church, that was consecrated by Pope Leo IX in 1049. While the western facade and the nave are Romanesque, the transepts and the choir are built in Gothic style. Seen here, is the flamboyant portal of the transept.

The abbey was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church, that was consecrated by Pope Leo IX in 1049. While the western facade and the nave are Romanesque, the transepts and the eastern part, seen here, were rebuilt later in Gothic style.

The abbey was founded already in the sixth century. Since 1099 the relics of Saint Remi are kept here. Remi was the bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496. The abbey developed well and got very important. Charlemagne received Pope Leo III here. It was one of the richest convents in what is France today during the 9th century. From 780 to 945 the archbishops of Reims served as its abbots. Over centuries the "Holy Ampulla", holding the held the anointing oil for the coronation of the kings of France, was kept here. During the French Revolution the glass vial was publicly destroyed. The present basilica was the abbey church, that was consecrated by Pope Leo IX in 1049. The towers of the facade are 56m high. While the right one dated back to the 11th century, the right one is the result of a 19th century restauration.