A series of activities in Aachen seeks to bring us closer to a man, who died 1200 years ago. One is the exhibition of an original door from 766 – 850
It is obvious the architect responsible for the Cathedral in Aachen is getting goose bumps on his skin, while showing viewers around backstage. Here is the entrance, which was used by Charlemagne, when he walked through the gallery from his palace and directly onto the tribune in the chapel, where his throne is still located.
At the entrance to this path was once a wooden door. Until 1912 (1.92 x 1,06) it was swivelling happily on its forged hinges. However, obviously very old, it was pulled down and left together with other fragments in the lapidarium; unloved and long forgotten!
Recently, however, scientists have conducted a dendrochronological investigation of the massive, but flaking wooden planks and have found that the trees used for the door were felled sometime between 766 and 850. Currently further investigations are going on e.g. into the leather, which covered the door and of which remnants may still be seen.
The architect is obviously thrilled by the fact that this without doubt is an original door installed at the time of the building of the Palace Chapel; and by the fact that Charlemagne must have walked through it whenever he was attending mass. A few days ago the door of Charlemagne was exhibited in Aachen before it was removed once more to undergo further restoration; more than tree times as many visitors as usual found their way to the museum holding this treasure from the Cathedral, demonstrating the pull of the authenticated artifact (also called the “kilroy-was-here” effect).
See the video and follow in the steps of Charlemagne
Another edition of the Video: Todestag Karl der Grosse
This video is one of four videos created as part of the upcoming “Heiligtumsfahrt Aaachen 2014”
Another way of getting closer to the man himself is of course by studying his bones
This video is one of four videos created as part of the upcoming “Heiligtumsfahrt Aaachen 2014”