The Way Begins in Aachen

A marker for The Way of St. James stands by the Dom (Imperial Cathedral ) of Aachen, Germany.  The Aachen Cathedral, a World Heritage Site, with its Palatine Chapel is the oldest in Northern Europe and has high symbolic value. It dates from about 800 AD. The Emperor Charlemange himself had overseen the construction work, until it finally complied with his wishes. What they actually had built was a palace for him, of which now only the church remains. 

Unfortunately the Pilgrim Office was closed, or I could have received my first stamp for my Credential. 

I spent a beautiful day here in Aachen with my cousins, Alexander and Sarah. Meeting at the Dom for lunch we enjoyed some sun and people watching along with mett brotchen and cake. 

A walk through town and up Lousaberg was a great way to prepare for the long walks ahead and the 360 degree views of Aachen and into the Netherlands and Belgium were amazing. 

There is a legend that when the Dom was being built, the people did not have enough money to finish construction. They made a deal with the devil to help them and he agreed. The Dom was built and when the devil did not get his due he became angry. He set off towards Aachen with a huge sack of sand and meant to bury the city. Although he walked a long ways, he still did not see the city. He came upon a farmer's wife, dressed in tattered clothes and worn shoes. He asked her where the city of Aachen was. She recognized him for what he was by the one human foot and the other goat. She said, "Oh sir... Aachen is so far away that when I left there to come here I had a new dress and new shoes".  The devil threw down his sack so hard that he created the hill of Lousaberg.