Aachen Cathedral: A Journey Through Time I History Stories Special

Discover the secrets and stories hidden within the majestic walls of German landmark Aachen Cathedral. The architectural masterpiece built by Emperor Charlemagne has witnessed centuries of history. Countless German Kings were crowned there. It was consecrated in the year 805, and became Germany's first UNESCO World Heritage site more than a thousand years later in 1978. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of Aachen Cathedral, including the legend of the devil and the wolf.
#dwhistoryandculture #aachen
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00:00 Intro
01:20 Why is the cathedral so fascinating?
06:57 The history behind the Frankish empire
09:12 The Aachen chapel
10:20 The legend of the devil and the wolf
11:25 The fascinating architecture of the church
20:45 The church organ
23:35 The treasures
28:33 The gothic quire hall and the traditions of the church
32:15 The "Antependium" - mastery of fabric artwork
38:24 The importance of the city of Aachen and the cathedral
41:45 The French history of Aachen
44:52 The cathedral's way into modernity - Between transformation and devastation
49:32 Conclusion

[@khalidalali186]

I had the immense privilege of visiting this most wondrous achievement two weeks ago, after a business trip to Hamburg from Luxembourg. On my way back, I’ve decided that I must visit Charlemagne, being the history buff that I am. Thus, I took the train all the way from Hamburg, stopping briefly in Dortmund, to finally arrive at Aachen. I also took the liberty of reading as much as I can, during the trip. Freshening up my knowledge about Charlemagne, his times, his dynasty, and Cathedral, before I got there. Lo and behold, I get there, and I run into an elderly American gentleman, 97 years of age, who was a GI, 79 years ago, with the 1st American Army’s 9th Infantry Division, that took part in the Battle of Aachen, in October of 1944, forty-five years prior to my birth. You’d think I was fortunate enough already, to be there on my 34th birthday of all days. But no, fate had another treat in store for me. He and I, spent the next three hours devouring every bit of the cathedral, discussing history, politics, sociology, economy, religion, art, architecture, engineering, music, literature, and philosophy, in the process, throughout our tour of this magnificent monument. Two random strangers, 63 years apart, one from North America, the other from West Asia, bonding over all that is superbly human. How lucky can one guy be?! 😁😅

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences with our community.

[@khalidalali186]

Thank you, for making this wonderful production, and making it accessible for us all. I’ve taken the liberty of emailing the link, to the American gentleman in-question, as well. If I may, how can one support the Cathedral? It seems they always welcome donations from the public, including from overseas, I hope!

[@pookyac42]

​@@khalidalali186The Aachen Cathedral Association is called "Karlsverein", literally Charles' Association.

[@khalidalali186]

What a legend! Thanks dude!

[@pookyac42]

@@khalidalali186 You're welcome. 😊 If you are interested in more detailed information on the Aachener Dom, especially about the architecture, drop me a Iine (it's in the chan,neI info). I have some interesting documents and photos from archives and books, that are hard to find, but I don't want to post them online. 😉

[@arlenehutchinson9259]

The most beautiful thing is the community of love for the cathedral that has formed around it. Generation after generation, volunteering, giving and caring. So so BEAUTIFUL ❤❤❤ Thank-you

[@alexkalish8288]

This is one of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in the world. The style of the Carolingian is everywhere apparent. Anything surviving form this period is extremely rare. The decent from the Italian Byzantine is remarkable. Good historical piece and documentation. .

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

We're glad you liked it. Make sure to subscribe for the latest uploads.

[@EstbXCIII]

The immeasurable beauty of Europes landscapes, cathedrals and castle's, architecture and it's people truly amazes me. I've been binging out on European history for awhile now and everything about Europe deeply fascinates me. Sadly, I'm American that's never left the country. Fortunately I'm only 30 so there's plenty of time. I pray that i get to step foot on Europe and see as much of it as i can before i die. The same way Asians, Africans, Middle Easters etc. get that deep desire to see the lands from which their ancestors originate is the aame way i feel about Europe. God bless Europe and it's people ❤

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Glad you liked the documentary! We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with our community and we hope that one day your dream will come true.

[@saintjacques8137]

Not sure it's the right niche but if anyone's interested in a massive collection of Medieval German history I strongly recommend Schwerpunkt's videos series

[@alexandramsh4740]

saintjacques8137 - thank you for the info! X

[@alfonsasgrinevicius7477]

Thanx, buddy.

[@raraavis7782]

Thanks for the recommendation.

[@user-zp5ql2xi2s]

Thank you very much 🙏🏻

[@JB-kn2zh]

He’s great but I think he is a little too focused on producing as much content as possible. I mean it would probably be better if he came out with more concise 30 minute videos rather than hour plus videos multiple times a week (even though it’s really impressive how much content he can put out)

[@andyroo9381]

I had never heard of Aachen Cathedral before. Thank you, DW History and Culture!

[@user-hu5vs8df2c]

Excellent. Love watching documentaries like this.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for your comment! We're glad you liked it :)

[@1991ROLEX]

Made a pilgrimage myself in 1996, this video does not even begin to show the beauty of the Dom!

[@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059]

My great uncle served in WW2. (My father took extensive notes while speaking to him at the very end of his life, dying of pancreatic cancer after a lifetime of PTSD.) He had two tanks blown out from under him during the battle of Aachen. The first time, all the crew survived and he left the field hospital (without permission) and returned to his unit a few days later. In the second tank he was the only one of the crew to survive. He was taken to the hospital in Liege just before it was buzz-bombed. He survived that as well and was taken to Birmingham England and medically discharged. If I am ever able to afford to visit Europe (unlikely) I will visit Aachen for that reason.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing your great-uncles' story with us and our community. We hope you make it to Aachen soon!

[@ralphquintero3350]

Save your money 💰!

[@fabiandimaspratama]

I knew Aachen cathedral and the brief history of Charlemagne because of Age of Empires II game. DW really showcases its beauty in this documentary

[@ML-rd6ci]

It's an unforgettable building, ever since I first saw it, it became my favourite German church. It's a combination of several architectural styles, that's what makes it so interesting.

[@tytn9978]

Exactly! And those 3 architectural styles enhance each other rather than detract from them! I think that is where the external beauty of the edifice rests, from a visual point of view. As for the interior, each of the 3 distinctive styles offers its own glimpse into history!

[@Shineon83]

…It is ….simply breathtaking. An almost superhuman achievement.…The Cathedral DESERVES the very rare privilege of being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

[@anthonyC214]

FYI for non Catholic:The opening scene where the cathedral is dark and there is a fire is the Easter Virgil.🎉

[@dannydetonator]

Even on my old reserve mono phone, the acoustics here shows to be.. well, divine. I used to play organ semi-professionally (organist in 4-5 churches, only one of which had an actual traditional windpipe organ). IMO it as a king of instruments, at least as the keyboards go, independent of one's beliefs. Also playing it for a parish is much harder than it looks, effort and skill required is on another level. Respect for that piece i wouldn't dare touching without months of practice. It's been so long since i left service, can't remember if i've heard it before (i'm not academically trained organist, did it since still in 7-class parralel music school for 5-6 years). And of course, choir and solist is pure perfection, as expected for churches with maximally long tradition. Music is only medium what can convey both emotion and a state of mind universially, particulary the spiritual classics. If you accept tuning yourself into it, without resistance, it has no borders. To few unsatisfied commentators here: you can criticise church (i'm not Catholic), relics, history, the powers etc., but this doc doesn't lie or ommit even the things you claim to be emmitted. Whatch it till the end before commenting about it. Anyway, you can't cram all history, architecture, symbolisms and meanings into one take of over 1200+ years of endurance. Would love to hear more about the symbols used in Aachen, especially the original ones now missing, if there's a record of them.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing your perspective and your experiences as organ player with us and our community!

[@SpanishEclectic]

What a wonderful video, with so much history and beautiful photography. The drone footage adds so much to my memory of the place. I was fortunate to visit the Cathedral in early June of 2007, during one of the pilgrimages. We saw the dress of the Virgin, and the other relics on display at the time. In the line to enter, I saw several Eastern Orthodox priests in their traditional dress, and met a lovely woman from Madrid (I don't speak German, but coming from Southern California, it was treat to speak Spanish with someone.) The careful tradition of changing the vestments of the statue of the Virgin and Child made me smile. I love historic fabrics, and am so pleased to see this extensive collection preserved. The ultimate form of 'repurposing'. I will definitely be watching more of your videos.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing your memories with us!

[@markymark1505]

Thank you always for quality documentaries. Watching from The Philippines🇵🇭

[@pookyac42]

Greetings from Aachen 😊✌️😉

[@reggiecordial]

There are a lot of Filipino nurses in Aachen University Hospital.

[@pookyac42]

@@reggiecordial Yes, that is true. We do have a shortage of medical staff. 😷😟 - Well, actually we have a shortage of skilled workers in many areas. 🙄 I have friends from Sorsogon City living in Aachen. So depending on what you have learnt, there are lots of opportunities to work here 😉 ✌️😄

[@user-yu3wp5mk3u]

C'est vraiment très beau. Je conseille de visiter Aix-la-Chapelle également au moment du marché de Noël et de s'acheter des Printen, les délicieux biscuits.

[@ralphquintero3350]

C'est tres tres belle!

[@jannis.grossmann]

Charlemagne would have highly loved to be the one, who continues the Roman empire, but he did not dare to call himself Roman emperor and his realm Roman empire because he knew fairly well, that the Roman empire is still existing. He knew that his sole opportunity to gain this title legitimately was to marry the Roman empress Eirene, who ruled the Roman empire in his time, but she refused. Thus the dream to get the title of a Roman emperor which begun his father Pippin was finally completed by Otto I and especially by Otto III roughly 200 years later. One of the main steps to legitimize the title of a Roman emperor, according to the imagination of Otto I, was the marriage of his son Otto II to the Roman princess Theophano.

[@tytn9978]

Aachen was the home of my ancestors, and I have visited it several times. Each time I found myself in awe of the historical sites that have lasted for a thousand years ... reconstructed, of course, but still retaining some of their original integrity. I have enjoyed walking along the cobblestone paths, and, of course, sampled the famous "Aachener Printen"! I keep hoping that I can make one more trip ... !

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing these personal memories with us and our community!

[@ralphquintero3350]

You will. Have faith.

[@jeanmartinez7467]

Visited September 2023. Went o a guided tour but so much were left out. Love the documentary.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

We're glad you liked it. Make sure to subscribe for the latest videos 📷

[@alfonsasgrinevicius7477]

I visited this site in 1999. Superb ! People say --Aachen was the first capital of the Medieval "European Union ".Greetings from Lietuva/Litauen., Kaunas.

[@juttaweise]

Charlemagne was the first real European!

[@hereigoagain5050]

Thanks DW! I needed this Journey Through Time when it seems that all the world is on fire. Tricking the Devil is a dangerous business and not for the faint hearted, for the Devil collects receipts.

[@robjus1601]

This is such a fabulous video. The combination of Frankish, German, Lombard elements on top of Roman remains. What European symbolism and Catholic tradition.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the documentary. Subscribe to our channel for the latest uploads.

[@sanctuary72000]

What a beautiful voice and such a holy place

[@MicaFarrierRheayan]

Lovely documentary. It blurs the line between culture, technology and art. It retain its timeless beauty

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Glad you liked the film. We upload documentaries regularly so don’t forget to subscribe.

[@kidmohair8151]

if nothing else, the hoar-frosted trees and the dusting of snow, were perfect for the filming of this. as for the building lasting into eternity? one day it *will be* filled, at least figuratively, with sand. despite our best efforts

[@michaelroark2019]

I enjoyed the video reminding me of my visit in 1992 by way of the "snail" train from Maaschricht. It was my only visit to Germany ever, but even though a few miles from the Netherlands it was a totally different world from the Dutch. I was always fascinated by Charlemagne, and this is his lasting architectural triumph. In 1992 there was a large number of older German visitors to see the cathedral, and I always thought that was because of the recent reunification of Germany and the fact that they finally were able to come to one of the most significant sites in the formation of German identity and culture. Truly worthy of UNESCO recognition and a wonder of survival of over a millennium!

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences with our community.

[@abbofun9022]

Looks there was also quite an influence on the Octagon from the Hagia Sofia in Constantinople/Istanbul. Especially the black-white blocking in the arches is very striking.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing your observations!

[@hansulrichboning8551]

San Vitale in Ravenna was the blueprint for Charlemagne`s Chapel.

[@ZainAli-yz3yo]

Loved It guys!, A big thanks to the Team of DW History & Culture!😍

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the documentary. Subscribe to our channel for the latest uploads.

[@Hughenn]

Thanks for posting this. I’ve visited there many times.

[@onnisu.8516]

Espectacular...!!! Sumamente interesante por esto DW es el número 1...una petición POR FAVOR podrían transmitirlo en Español para compartir con amigos que no hablan Inglés.. GRACIAS ❤😊

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for watching. The documentary has not been translated by our colleagues from the Spanish team yet. But we will let them know that there is great interest. We kindly ask our viewers on this channel, though, to engage with topics in English so that both DW and the community have the chance to respond. For further information, please refer to DW's netiquette policy: p.dw.com/p/MF1G Thanks for watching!

[@cmataira]

@@DWHistoryandCulture regarding the Aachen Cathedral and comments in Spanish, KZbin always offers translations on the spot, so there is no real problem, I feel.

[@razor2k911]

Wow, what an amazing piece of history 👏 😍

[@lindaarnold5683]

This video was beautifully done. Peaceful and gentle.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the documentary. Subscribe to our channel for the latest uploads.

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Excellent.💯👏 Love watching documentaries like this.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the documentary. Subscribe to our channel for the latest uploads.

[@thomaswalters4365]

Correction: I had said the organ piece was Messiaen. No, my bad. It is by Tournemire.

[@MA-wo5gy]

I love these documentaries -Thank you from emerald isle!☘

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Glad you liked the film. We upload documentaries regularly so don’t forget to subscribe.

[@Booka60]

That poor Wolf!

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

that is a very common tale. Sometimes it is a dog, or another animal, in places as diverse as houses and bridges. It is quite weird, because Medieval people did not believe animals had souls. Yet they used them to outwit him? Also I was sitting here waiting for someone to say that it is clearly Muslim inspired! The geometric thing, the dome, those arches. Hagia Sofia? The Mosque in Cordoba? Why will this channel never acknowledge anything non Catholic? It ruins what could be a good documentary. I gave up when it went God Bothering

[@thomasgeddes4817]

@hogwashmcturnip8930 Actually I don't know that your assertion that the Medieval mind did not have souls is correct. In the history of English law animals have been put on trial for murder, and subsequently found guilty and hanged.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

​@@thomasgeddes4817 That has absolutely Nothing to do with whether they considered the animal had a soul or not. In fact they debated for centuries whether women did. The current Catholic church has come up with some unsatisfactory fence sitting where animals and plant Do have souls, but they are Different- ie - 'lesser souls' - so we can still treat them like shit and wreck the planet! Gotta Love Dem Catholics. And by the way, I think you will find it was France that Hanged animals The only case I know of in the UK was a probably fictitious one involving a monkey. And that was during the Napoleonic wars. There are NONE recorded at any point in UK history. .

[@ianhansen6840]

This IS the wolf that ate the duck and harassed Peter's bird friend, we're talking about, right?!

[@chuckarmato6115]

Outstanding!

[@duckbizniz663]

Very informative documentary on the Cathedral of Aachen. I had visited the Cathedral a few years back and I wanted to see the Cathedral (805) built by the King of the Salient Franks (modern day France, Germany, Belgium, Netherland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, & Northern Italy) who briefly unified a significant portion of Western Europe after the fall of Rome. His achievement gave Western Europe a brief Renaissance in the middle of the Dark Ages. I am a little disappointed to hear that the Prussian Kings redecorated the interior of Aachen Cathedral (destroying the original mosaic) in the 19th century. The gold tiles and marble covering put in place during the 19th century. If you visit Germany you will see the Prussian Kings building many monuments throughout Germany aligning themselves with Medieval Germanic Kings and Knights. If you visit the Monument to the Battle of Nations at Leipzig you will see stone monuments to Medieval Armored Knights and not to the soldiers of the early 18th century who actually fought at the Battle of Nations. One cannot deny the Prussian Kings linking themselves with a glorious conquering past. Trying to convince the German people to be loyal to the King & his Junkers, and to follow them without question. Napoleon was a general driven by conquest. But let us not forget that 1789 the Parisians stormed the Bastille and started the French Revolution. In 1792 France was invaded by the armies of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire. The Habsburg are a family of Austrian Holy Roman Emperors who married into every single Royal Family in Europe. The Monarchs of Europe will never tolerate a French Republic. A State founded on representative government elected by the people. At the time Napoleon only commanded a single cannon artillery unit. Yes Napoleon conquered Europe. But the absolute Monarchs of Europe will never stop fighting until the ideas of the French Revolution were defeated. The next time you talk to American Veterans of WWII remember that Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany was the remnant of an archaic absolute power that needed to end.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

The ideals of the French Revolution, Liberte, equalite, and fraternite, are principles grounded in Freemasonry, which was and continues to be at loggerheads with the Catholic Church. It was, with good reason, that Catholic Monarchs, including the Papacy, could not comply with Freemasonry, since one of its surviving goals, is the destruction of the single biggest impediment standing in its way, which is the Catholic Church. This is a story that has not ended, but will be resolved.

[@robertmiller2173]

Beautiful!

[@michaelhealy1590]

Wonderful video. I want to visit

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the documentary. Subscribe to our channel for the latest uploads.

[@KofiCatlovesU]

Beautiful ❤️

[@amexicanladyonthesoutherncross]

Beautiful.

[@Lemma01]

Wonderfully stirring opening music - English pastoralism at its most robust!

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@plm1740]

sehr interessant

[@chrishartz2397]

Great show..

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Glad you liked the film. We upload documentaries regularly so don’t forget to subscribe.

[@litoboy5]

Amazing

[@markgately2234]

@DWHistoryandCulture This music footage from Aachen is apparently from a liturgical ceremony celebrated throughout the world at midnight on Holy Saturday -the Easter Vigil. Regarding Transcript (excerpted): 9:28 [Music] 9:57 Charlemagne is said to have attended Services here several times a day. 10:03 [Music] 10:08 [Music] I’m hoping that your transcript can be amended to designate the composer? (& soloist name?from the choir) of the sacred music portrayed in your wonderful documentary.

[@mjivory410]

Faure___???

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

The music sung,(Pie Jesu), in the end is from Gabriel Faure's, splendid and sublime work: REQUIEM.

[@galleryguide9913]

Although it should be said that until relatively recently no girl would have sung liturgically as it the music would have been sung by men and boys and it does seem curious that so much of the music was French rather than any of the composers of the Imperial chapel.

[@tryexceptions1025]

A great movie! Will there be more films about other cathedrals?

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the documentary. Currently, we don't have a documentary about another cathedrals planned, but subscribe to our channel so you won't miss it if we do.

[@MarcusBrutus-nu9yj]

I was there during the time of the reinturnment achen cathedral dominated the whole area it was one of the nicest of my German visit

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing!

[@tf6888]

DANKE❤

[@WhirledPublishing]

The cathedral was constructed across a span of hundreds of years ... The early construction is very different from the more recent construction

[@Hoakaloa]

Thank you for this very educational and visually stunning video. I'd very much like to visit but given how much of a carbon footprint it takes for me to get from Hawai'i to anywhere...I'll be relying on videos like this to "travel" the world and learn so much history. Mahalo.

[@buds8423]

Why am I suddenly craving Aachener printen?

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Hahaha ❤

[@blueengel68]

I had the pleasure of visiting Aachen Dom earlier this year. This video helped refresh, clarify and add to that trip. If I recall correctly, the chandelier was donated by Frederick Barbarossa. Such history influencing Europe over the millenia!

[@kspeed419]

I have been able to trace my family all the way back to Charlemagnes court!

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing some of your family history with us and our community!

[@fabiodeoliveiraribeiro1602]

Roman columns were brought from Italy to build this cathedral, raised not only as a symbol of Charlemagne's power and Christian devotion. Aachen Cathedral seems to have been conceived as an architectural negation of the Germanic world filled with the cult of Wôdan and the other gods that the Emperor suppressed with extreme violence. The stones of Aachen Cathedral were cemented with the blood of the worshipers of the ancient gods of the people who fought and defeated Varus' legions in the Battle of Theotoburg. In the world created by Charlemagne there was no space for celebrating the heroism of the Cherusci led by Arminius. Modern Germans try to worship the memory of both, which is a curious and funny paradox because there can be no peace between wolves from packs as different as those of Charlemagne and Arminius.

[@karlkarlos3545]

Lol. Modern Germans don't worship at all. Especially not some dusty old ghosts from the past.

[@cmataira]

Omg. That’s a bit of gruesome trivia?

[@fabiodeoliveiraribeiro1602]

@@cmataira Are you able to explain your question in an erudite and non-trivial way?

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Modern Germans need not resort to psuedo pagan rites and "worshipping" pagan heroes. They need to get right back with God, and stop busying themselves with globalist ideology and empty secularism while they are incrementally and gradually being displaced, and usurped by the very forces that Charlemagne would never have allowed to set foot in his realm.

[@12tanuha21]

The Cherusci don't play a big role during Charlemange, if they still existed. It would be better to mention Windukind and the Saxons, the last tribe that followed the old religion.

[@user-be8wr4jj1q]

Супер 👑 видео в мире спасибо вам большое за видео ❤❤❤😎 😍 🤩 😋

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for your comment. If possible, please comment in English next time so that more people can follow the discussion. All the best!

[@33Donner77]

Interesting. Aachen Cathedral is often shown as one or two photos in general history or art books, so the details of this presentation are appreciated. What happened to the original windows?

[@juttaweise]

maybe the windows were taken by british soldiers as they did with the cathedral of Cologne.

[@tommunyon2874]

I seem to recall hearing a report of seismic activity in the vicinity of Aachen while at work about 23 years ago. One reason I remember is that we were hosting a customer from Belgium at the time and I got into a discussion with him about how the shaking was even felt around his home area.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experience with us. Sending you all the best

[@raraavis7782]

I actually remember that. I grew up not 30km to the east of Aachen and was a young teen at the time. Which means, it must have been more like 30 years ago. Is that possible? It was the one and only time, I witnessed an earthquake. It was quite disconcerting. Although I moved away in 2000, so maybe there was another one afterwards.

[@tiffytattoo2450]

I remember this, I was in elementary school, so it must have been 1998-2002, I think more 90s, and it was "vormittags", around 8-12am...

[@raraavis7782]

@@tiffytattoo2450 I looked it up and apparently earthquakes are quite common in this area! Much more so, then one would think, living here. We get several a year, in fact. It's just that most are below the strength, that humans notice. There was a biggy in 1992 at night. That's probably the one, I remember. It was a 6 on the Richter scale and caused quite a bit of damage.

[@tiffytattoo2450]

@@raraavis7782 thinking about it I might have confused it with a solar eclipse... that was vormittags ^^ I was very firm in being wrong xD I was born in 92, so I won't remember this earthquake. Although I somehow remember one...

[@angelamalek]

Even if it takes secular organizations to preserve the beautiful churches in Germany, gut! Now, let’s get faithful clergy in Germany to preserve the faith itself.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@angelamalek]

@@DWHistoryandCulture Thank you for your video!!

[@Jeff-ng8ci]

hi, can somebody tell me what song is 32:15 (song that sung by the girl). I love it so much. Thanks!

[@raraavis7782]

It's hauntingly beautiful, isn't it? She sings: 'pie Jesu domine, dona eis requiem' (Pious Lord Jesus, give them everlasting rest) I'm sure, you can find it, if you google that. And that's the first time in 30 years, my school latin was good for something 😅

[@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059]

As a person who loves to embroider. I would love to look at all of those donated fabric items, the old dresses and vestments etc, even though I have no religious affiliation.

[@angelahackman2522]

Hi Eddy, great vid, as per usual, Iove the new style, i'm also a twin, and a Gemini, but can't say me & my twin sister were particularly close, she always said i was the milkman's, she was born 5 to midnight, and i was 5 past, she would always say she was a day older, until we got old haha. I do recall being in agony for a few days with stomach pains, and then found out she'd had a painfree birth, which was about the same time my pain stopped. Anyway Eddy I love reading the comments, and it's funny because i notice the same people who like to dish the dirt always appear, most on here love your vids, but the nasty stuff becomes quite vicious. In fact it's starting to look a bit suspect to me, just my opinion mind, a bit like " shut up, let it go, move on " Very suspicious me thinks. I've always wondered why people who live local just accepted the outcome after the inquest. Something is not adding up, all them phone calls in a short space of time, because a dog was off it's lead. Cheers Eddy, hater's will hate, don't take the bait.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Hi, it seems like you might have posted under the wrong video.

[@Shineon83]

Such a beautiful voice that young German girl has!

[@MotDoiAnLac258]

good

[@tomarmstrong1281]

I appreciate that many people cannot reconcile immense wealth and power with the message of the man born in a stable. Was it he, reputed to have said it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven?

[@judychurley6623]

At 12:29 it shoes that the height and width are not equal. Also if you draw a line up the center, as they have done, find the midpoint, and place a compass point on it of course it will draw a circle. The compass diagram actually shows nothing.

[@garvielloken4114]

everyones an architect now with decades of experience...

[@dallastaylor5479]

This survived the war?

[@pookyac42]

Yes, after the city had to be evacuated, youth volunteers saved the cathedral several times by putting out fires with buckets and wet brooms while climbing through the wooden structure, even while air raids were taking place.

[@dallastaylor5479]

@pookyac42 wow, thank you. I learned something new and wonderful.

[@tonyramsden6207]

At the end there the narrator reminded us that The Devil Threatened that one day he will fill the Cathedral with sand. I wonder at what rate the Sahara Desert heads North. If this Building can be Maintained for another 1000 years?? Scary.

[@dihigue]

Cuándo estará disponible este documental en español??

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Soon, hopefully :)

[@draker769]

I always build this to get to tier 2

[@penandsword4386]

Aachen had to be rebuilt in the 50s. Wish they discussed that

[@a.r.stellmacher8709]

What for?

[@penandsword4386]

@@a.r.stellmacher8709 Destroyed in 1944-1945

[@geraldmiller5260]

Aachen was the first city of note in Germany to be widely destroyed by the allies in late WWII during its conquest.

[@vivianbelissima]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@tanialehmannn9053]

Magestic

[@xavisanchez7522]

Since ancient times battles were only fought in spring or summer never in winter,

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Are you referring to a specific time in your statement, or are you making a generalization? Because, for example, the Thirty Years' War, the Swedish King Gustav II. Adolf died in the Battle of Lützen on November 6, 1632. So battles were indeed also fought in winter.

[@stephenkz498]

Is this docu available in spanish❔

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for watching. The documentary has not been translated by our colleagues from the Spanish team yet.

[@FreddySherman]

You can get the captions in Spanish. Turn on captions, then turn on auto translate, then select Spanish

[@stephenkz498]

@@DWHistoryandCulture Thanks❗

[@cppdev2729]

Arches are the exact copy of the arches in mosque of Cordoba. I heard the architect was inspired from the Moorish architecture in Spain. Why no mention of that in the doc. ?

[@ridl_fitz]

maybe because some historical facts don't fit ! the Aachner Cathedral was completed in 802/803 Cordoba was started to be built in 784 - and it wasn't finished the very next day ... 😉

[@dewd9327]

The inside looks very Byzantine influenced

[@NinaHansen2008]

It was inspired by (copied from?) the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy to underscore Charlemagne’s claim to be the Holy Roman Emperor.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing!

[@guslevy3506]

Very little of Aachen is from the original Charlemagne days. It’s basically a visit to Disneyland in modern times…

[@Shineon83]

I disagree. It is LIVING history-proof that it has been in constant USE by PPL (and not a museum piece-hidden away, behind glass)…. ANY occupied structure will be modified by succeeding generations, to suit changing tastes….(The only structures that are unaltered & “frozen in time” are those not in use : palaces & pyramids )

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks to both of you for sharing and discussing your opinions on this platform.

[@olafgogmo5426]

I think, there ist no city on earth still looking like in the jear 800!!!!

[@marcfray757]

Nice documentary, where is the German version of it?

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Hopefully coming soon!

[@SonOfTheOne111]

So few wide shots. Could barely tell what the place looked like. One tower was only filmed side, in the dark, with close ups. Disorienting.

[@pigafettalyon1270]

I find it curious that we humans are fascinated by empire builders from long ago, with no negative connotations,, but despise those modern empire builders (or cravers) such as h.tler or putler, or the other ones that come to mind.

[@Shineon83]

We tend to give the Ancients far more latitude than the Moderns

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Not including the US in your comment, is a glaring mistake. The US may not fancy itself, an, " empire builder," yet behaves as one.

[@arturfalcao1260]

Bons documentários mereceriam ser postados com legendas em outros idiomas. Infelizmente (ou não), nem todos falam inglês. 😞

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

We're sorry to hear that there is a language barrier here for you. We're hoping to make this video available in Portuguese soon.

[@arturfalcao-rp7gp]

@@DWHistoryandCulture Muito obrigado!!!

[@keboonplumeria5266]

I love Köln Cathedral first.... And this is the 2nd

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing!

[@georgecalvintharcisius586]

Thank you. Beautifully narrated. God bless. Christianity is very beautiful.Amen 🙌🙏✡️✝️🕎🙏🙌

[@ianevans2917]

A beautiful building created by true craftsmen; a place of prayer and faith. As for the relics of the Virgin and the baby Jesus - don't be ridiculous.

[@geraldmiller5260]

If they played Bach in the cathedral for me, would it be my Aachen-Bach? (My puns are atrocious)

[@WhirledPublishing]

@33:36 The embroidery doesn't say "1624" ... it says J 624 ... Please do your research on this topic. Many researchers have uploaded their evidence on this ... much of their assumptions are wrong while the evidence speaks for itself.

[@richardlinn5512]

YET !

[@alonsohace-ox5zp]

The briton wonder from AOE 2.

[@malvinderkaur541]

You can pray in a barn also in which jejus was born but this later days and even today, it's same, more towards bad then good rationale reason logic and for good of all. Yet no it's more for greed and power play of resources and not in good way

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Sorry, we may not be following along yet. Could you please elaborate on your point?

[@raymondhertz1476]

It is said that, to a high degree of probability, every living European is descended from Charlemagne.

[@joelcole8950]

“War during summer”…..kill pillage, destroy so gold could be hidden in his vaults. In the name of religion….nothing has changed.

[@steelcurtain2576]

The Americans and Brits bombed all our medieval cities to the ground

[@--jan--]

Germans as well. Some European cities were bombed, not all. Or not completely. And people did everything to protect the biggest and oldest buildings (google ww1 Amiens fi). Most extreme case: Ieper Belgium. Totally rebuild!

[@antoniofranciscogarcia1707]

I seem to remember a certain miniature German (“Schrumpfgermane”) asking the crowds “Do you want Total War??” and the answer was a resounding “Jaaaa!”. That probably has something to do with the bombing.

[@Dreddwinner]

🔴🀄

[@Kinginyourcityy]

🫶.!!!

[@shelbynamels973]

it is well-established canonical dogma that animals dont' have souls, so the deal is off.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Sorry, we may not be following along yet. Could you please elaborate on your point?

[@shelbynamels973]

@@DWHistoryandCulture Sure. Since animals don['t have souls, sending a wolf - or any animal, for that matter - thru the doors of the church is meaningless. The devil is still entitled to the soul of the first person entering, since only humans have souls Just out of curiosity, how much did the good people of Aachen sell a soul to the devil for?? I wonder how much I can get for mine. I don't expect it would be much.

[@raraavis7782]

Well. It was 1200 years ago. Are you sure, that particular dogma had already been established back then? The Church kinda made up its rules along the way, after all. And there were enough fundamental disagreements, that Christianity split into different opposing factions not once, but twice, in the process. You would have to be very well versed in medieval theology to make any such claim with absolute certainty 😉 But seriously though...this wasn't exactly in the heart of Christendom. You gotta make some concessions to them heathens.

[@xavisanchez7522]

Of course, legends and myths. Or official history, its the same construction , but the truth. , do not ask for it, you will get charge as heretic

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Sorry, we may not be following along yet. Could you please elaborate on your point?