ABSTRACT
Aachen A cultural and strategic center during the Carolingian dynasty and Holy Roman Empire, Aachen, known for its hot springs, was the location of first-century Roman baths. By the late fourth or early fifth century, Roman structures had been transformed into a Christian cult site. Perhaps lured by the waters, Pippin (Pepin) III, founder of the Carolingian dyansty, wintered in Aachen with his itinerant court in 766 and erected a residence. While little is known of Pippin's activities, evidence of his continuation of the cult site exists in scanty archaeological remains beneath the church built by his son, Charlemagne. Aachen's unparalleled renown and complex, changing significance may be tied to Charlemagne, who erected a palace-his favored residence-from ca. 792-805. This ambitious "capital," located within the Frankish stronghold of Austrasia, created a political, ecclesiastical, and artistic center for Charlemagne's empire and became the kernel of the medieval city.
