Aachen lies on the westernmost border of Germany, near Belgium and Holland. Its geographic location has been instrumental in the history of the city dating from the 8th century. Charlemagne, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, choose Aachen as the site of his permanent residence and tomb due to its central location within the Empire. Building of his Carolingian palace was begun around 785. The Palace Chapel still serves as the central structure of the current chapel. This octagonal building is surrounded by a two-story ambulatory, which creates a 16-sided polygonal structure enveloping the chapel. The tower is visible above, which connects to the cathedral center on the right hand side of the picture.

This photograph shows the "westwerk", as the main entrance is known, on the west side of the cathedral. The baroque porch, situated near the tower, was not a part of the original construction. In the Carolingian period, the entrance was much more basic--essentially a gate enclosed by an atrium. However, within this dark area was a hidden treasure of the structure. A bronze portal marked the entrance into the original octagonal core, and is now the primary portal.

Madonna in the Rays, a large double-sided carving dating from the 16th century, hangs in the Gothic choir of the church. This photograph shows the side of the carving that faces the central octagon. This prominent icon is signed "Jan Bildensnider" and is dated 1524. The carving shows the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child as she stands on a crescent moon entwined by a serpent. Angels who hold coats of arms, a scepter, and a crown in offering to the infant Jesus surround her. Blue and gold dominate the carvings within the mandorla, and three dimensional, golden rays encompass the entire sculpture. The opposite side dates to 1488, and is similar in composition; however, the carving is much more austere and simplistic.

In this 1944 photograph, the edge of the Madonna of the Rays is visible above the altar and to the right. Here, U.S. troops examine damage to the cathedral after Aachen fell to the U.S. First Army in 1944. Because of its close proximity to Belgium and Holland, it was the first major German city to come under Allied control. Bombing during the fight for the city destroyed the stained glass windows in the Gothic choir, often referred to as the "Glasshouse of Aachen".