Through My Eyes: Europe trip day 4: Cologne, Aachen

We woke up in Bonn, and decided to forego the Beethoven museum (Beethoven was born in Bonn) in favor of finding a grocery store for food, and then going straight up to Cologne. We found an Aldis and another clothing store just next door. Ben and Mosey bought some clothes, and Joseph and I bought sweaters/sweatshirts at Aldis, along with some groceries for the day. It was COLD in Germany! The week before, apparently, had been hot hot hot, but a cold front had come in, and it was downright chilly. We also bought some delicious bread at Aldis which was consumed very quickly.
Then it was off to Cologne!
The big attraction is the incredible Cologne Cathedral, the biggest in Germany, and the tallest two-spired cathedral in the world. It was started in 1248, but the gothic/neo-gothic building wasn't completed until the 19th century. During World War II, nearly the entire city of Cologne was destroyed, except for the Cathedral. Was it goodwill on the Allies part that prevented them from bombing it? Or was it the fact that the cathedral made such a good landmark for bombers flying overhead?

The interior was just as spectacular as the outside. We kind of piggy backed on a tour that was already going on, and learned quite a bit.

One of the biggest attractions is the shrine of the three kings, which supposedly houses relics from the three wisemen. It is covered in gold, silver, and over 1,000 jewels and beads.

The floors were finished in porcelain mosaic-- just stunning.

Ben took the boys on a non-handicapped accessible tour up to the top of one of the spires (apparently awesome, but scary), and I had a chance to wander around the inside a bit longer.

The Altarpiece of the Three Kings

The beautiful Milan Madonna

The Altarpiece of Agolilophus

St. Christopher, welcoming weary travelers. I love that he's carrying a child on his back.

This one, too-- the priest carrying a child.

Joseph in contemplation.

After the cathedral, we walked along the Rhine river, stopping for lunch at a cafe, and then toured the Lindt Chocolate factory! That was so much fun.

Joseph and Mosey in front of a bridge over the Rhine. This bridge is apparently famous for thousands and thousands of padlocks people have attached to it, then thrown the keys into the river below-- as a symbol of unending love for their significant other.

Inside the factory/museum, we learned all about the history and manufacture of chocolate. Surprisingly fascinating! I never knew white chocolate was actually made of cocoa beans-- just the cocoa butter part of them.

At the end, they gave everyone a sample of chocolate, and we bought a bag of Lindt mini chocolate bars for the road.

Then, it was back in the car, and off to Aachen, about an hour away.
In Aachen, we went to the Aachen Cathedral, built by Charlemagne, starting in 796 AD. It is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe, and the location for the coronation of over 30 German kings and queens. Charlemagne's throne is here, as well as his final resting place, although it is not known exactly where that is.

Inside, the gilt ceiling mosaics were completely amazing.

Pala d'Oro, with Charlemagne's sarcophagus in the background.

Charlemagne's sarcophagus, where his bones were re-interred in around 1215.

This is the Ambon of Henry II, commonly known as Henry's Ambon or Henry's Pulpit. It was built between 1002 and 1014 and is among the most significant artworks of the Ottonian period (thank you Wikipedia).

Afterward, we walked around Aachen for a while and found a cell phone store to buy a German sim card for my phone so I could actually use it here in Europe! I went inside the store with Ben and impressed myself with how well I could understand the German conversation.

Then, we were on the road to Belgium! The drive to Belgium was so, so beautiful! I kept telling the boys to look out the windows and soak it all in.