And I thought it was just another city. Damn. So much to see, and so little sun to see it in ...

I never realized how important Aachen was to the Christian religious community, and certain recent discoveries at the Domschatzkammer - Cathedral treasury just fairly wow-ed me. Aachen is home to the 4 'great' relics, and 3 'small' relics, and below - you can see the 3 small relics brought to Aachen by its super-great king, King Charlemagne. Read more at http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/aachen-cathedral

So these are, as per the book (1) a belt used by Christ, (2) belt of the Mother Mary (3) part of the flagellation rope used in the Crucifixion of Christ. Was fairly awed - I must admit. It seems these were brought by Charlemagne to Aachen, and these along with the 4 great relics (those are even more awe-some ... they include the robe of Mother Mary, the swadding clothes of Baby Jesus, the loin cloth worn by Christ during the Crucifixion and the cloth on which lay the head of St. John the Baptist after his beheading) are exhibited to the public in a grand ceremony held every 7 years (the next is in 2014). Not very different from the ceremony in Srinagar at the Hazratbal Mosque where the 'Moi-e-Muqqadus' is exhibited to the visitors, except that I think is a yearly affair.

This is a large-ish ceremony, where the 4 great relics are locked in a vault in Aachen with a specially designed lock with only one key (the Matrix, anyone?) and the key is then broken into 2 pieces. One part of the key then travels all over Europe with a part of the clergy while one part remains here in the Cathedral. At the end of 7 years, they all assemble with the great keymaster (OK - thats my name for him, but you have to give the guy some respect!) while the lock is melted and the vault re-opened.

So the locks they have made over the years are pricey affairs - studded with gems, gold, silver, yadda yadda etc.

Other very cool stuff at the Treasury, which by the way - was extremely 'treasureable' in appearance ... tons of gold, silver and precious jewels. Don't believe me - see the pictures.

The Main Man of Aachen - King Charlemagne ... Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath

The Cathedral Treasury connects to the main Aachen Dom through this beautiful passageway ... was a rainy gloomy day outside, but somehow I think it adds to the Goth-ness.

Lots of the other royal treasures from Aachen. Don't feel like describing them anymore. Ack.

And finally, something I actually felt like commenting on. A simply marvellous marble relief detailing the 'Rape of Persephone' ... it was supposed to be a 'stitched' photo on the digicam, but now I have no idea how to stitch it. Oh well ....

And finally to end on a truly artistic note, a small update on my 3000-piece jigsaw puzzle :-) 300 through ... 2700 to go.

Ciao. Much Mocha.

Sush