Aachen, Germany

So with my final remaining unplanned weekend remaining in Europe I decided to go to Aachen, Germany. It is the resting spot for Charlemagne. As Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor this city took on a more central role throughout his reign, going so far as to call it the "New Jerusalem". I learned a lot and would recommend it to those looking for a good day trip while in the area.

The is the Aachen Cathedral. It was the first site added to UNESCO's list of historical places in Germany. It is also the resting spot of Charlemagne.

The front of the Cathedral. The treasury that holds a lot of cool stuff is around the corner.

This is the Aachen Town Hall. During the holiday season they hold a world renowned Christmas Market. Today all there was in the courtyard was a group of Medivel knights and their wenches. You can see them in the bottom left corner.

Lunchtime! When in Germany got to go with the Bratwurst. This was Round 1 of 2.

The throne of the Holy Roman Emperor. It is very underwhelming. The tour guide said the throne is made of marble that Jesus had walked on and that is why they did not feel the need to "fancy it up".

This is one of two important caskets within the cathedral. This one is said to contain 4 important religious relics. They include John the Baptists shroud when he was beheaded and the swaddling clothes of Jesus' birth. Every seven years they taken them out and put them on display for those people making a pilgrimage to Aachen.

This is the second of the caskets within the cathedral. It contains the body of Charlemagne. All I could think of was Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Keep waiting for some crazy ghosts to come flying out and start melting people.

This is Printen. It is a shortbread type of food. Didn't quite top the brat from lunch.

Auf Wiedersehen
Nuck