2023-09-12 10:12:00
In Germany, relatively few architectural monuments have survived from the reign of Emperor Charlemagne (Karl der Große, 747-814) and other representatives of the Carolingian dynasty (751-987). The most important are Aachen Cathedral, Corvey Abbey and the Imperial Abbey of Lorsch, which have the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
For a long time, Aachen also housed the so-called Palatinate – one of the residences of German kings and emperors in the Middle Ages. Other important palatinates were located in particular in Goslar, Speyer, Mainz and Quedlinburg.
Royal Palatinates in Germany
The rulers of the Carolingian Empire and later the Holy Roman Empire stayed in these places to hold royal councils – goftags, imperial diets – Reichstags, celebrate major religious holidays and while traveling on other business.
There was no capital city during this period of German history, but emperors often gave particular preference to one of these residences. For Charlemagne, Aachen was such a place.
Part of the new 1:50 scale model of Charlemagne’s residence in Aachen during its presentation at the Stadtmuseum in 2014 Photo: Marius Becker/dpa/picture alliance
The first written evidence of the existence of a small royal palatinate here dates back to the reign of Charlemagne’s father, the first king of the Franks from the Carolingian dynasty, Pepin the Short (Pippin der Jüngere, 714-768). It was probably founded even earlier.
During the years of Charlemagne, a grandiose residence was built in this city – the Aachen Palace and the palace chapel-tomb, which is now the oldest part of the Aachen Cathedral, were erected.
The oldest part of Aachen Cathedral is a monument from the Carolingian era Photo: Peter Schickert/picture alliance
Aachen – city of Charlemagne
Charlemagne preferred to spend the winter months in Aachen and especially appreciated the healing properties of the local thermal springs, known since the times of the ancient Romans.
From the palace itself, only the tower of the former Royal Hall has survived to this day – the 20-meter Granusturm Tower. In the middle of the 14th century, the city hall was erected on the site of this hall, which was then in a dilapidated state.
Granus Tower in AachenPhoto: Andreas Hermanspann/vizualeasy/picture alliance
In September 2023, the city archaeological office of Aachen announced an important find dating back to the time of the settlement of the local Palatinate. During the reconstruction of underground communications in the city, it was possible to discover parts of a medieval canal – an underground aqueduct built to supply the royal palatinate with water from the Paubach stream.
Excavation site on Stromgasse Photo: Andreas Schaub/Stadt Aachen
The first parts of this water pipeline were found at the beginning of the last century, but until recently scientists could not accurately determine either the time of construction or its purpose.
It was even hypothesized that the previously discovered sections of the canal dated back to the times of the ancient Romans and were not directly related to the residence of Charlemagne. This was quite possible, since many traces of the presence of the ancient Romans remained in the region – in particular, the so-called Eifel Aqueduct, which began about fifty kilometers from Aachen. This almost 100-kilometer Roman aqueduct was built by the ancient Romans around 80 AD to supply their colony Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, that is, present-day Cologne, with clean water from mountain springs.
Now, historians and archaeologists in Aachen, based on new facts, have managed to answer questions that were still open. The Romans had nothing to do with the construction of this aqueduct.
Carolingian water supply
“This canal was of key importance for the supply of water to the royal palatinate,” said Andreas Staub, head of the city’s archaeological department.
Based on new data, scientists led by Dr. Donata Kyritz were able to determine the time of laying the canal to a period between 661 and 772 years. That is, the water supply was completed shortly before Charlemagne’s ascension to the royal throne in 768 – during the reign of Pepin the Short.
As Andreas Staub emphasizes, these facts indicate that the construction of the canal began simultaneously with the construction of the first Aachen Palatinate. This building was one of the most important elements of the infrastructure of the royal residence.
According to a statement from the city administration of Aachen, archaeological excavations on Stromgasse street and documentation of this site are now almost completed. The remains of the Carolingian-era water supply will soon be filled in to complete the reconstruction of the water supply system for neighboring houses, the pipes of which run through this site.
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