photo 191 of 218
Aachen Cathedral: Otto III

Otto III

Otto III on the Shrine of Charlemagne. The golden shrine was made in Aachen in 1215 and still houses the emperor's remains (except for the bits kept in reliquaries in the Treasury). On the front gable Charlemagne is shown enthroned between Pope Leo III and Archbishop Turpin of Reims. The long sides of the shrine depict 16 rulers who donated to the shrine. The other gable has the Virgin Mary flanked by the archangels Gabriel and Michael. Above them are the personified virtues of faith, charity and hope.

Credit: Holly Hayes