AACHEN

Originally dating from the end of the eighth century, the cathedral was built at the initiative of the emperor of the Roman Empire, Charlemagne. The chapel was badly damaged in 881 during an attack by the Vikings. In 983 the church was restored. After Charlemagne was canonized by the Pope in 1165, the cathedral became a popular place of pilgrimage. The building is without a doubt Aachen's main attraction, as it was also the first German monument to be placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.