German Jaunt!

Aachen Cathedral.

Interior, Aachen Cathedral.

Tuesday I boarded a train in Paris' Gare du Nord and traveled back about 1200 years when I visited Aachen in Germany.   Aachen is a relatively small city now but at one point it was the Imperial Capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

Mosaic of Christ, Aachen Cathedral.

Founded even before the Romans, Aachen has a rich history.  The jewel of Aachen is its ancient Cathedral dedicated to Mary.  Unbelievably well preserved and almost miraculously pared by modern war, it is filled with tremendous art styles:  arches, mosaics, stained glass and marble tile.

Marble floor, Aachen Cathedral.

Less than an hour away from Aachen is the not so small city of Cologne.  With its own rich history, Cologne was heavily damaged in WWII.  Most structures are post war or post war reconstructions.  The Cathedral which houses the relics of the Three Magi (one of the largest churches in Christendom) was thankfully spared.

Cologne Cathedral.

Cologne is a very wealthy city.  It has made its living off the Rhine river for millennia.  Today it is tourism, technology and finance that keeps it afloat.

The Rhine as it passes through Cologne.

Cologne is filled with many beautiful churches which are post war restorations or reconstructions.   I'll post about them later.

Cologne Cathedral.

Today I head back to Paris and 90+ degrees.  Unfortunately no AC.  Hopefully the weather will break soon!

Reliquary of the Magi, Cologne Cathedral.