Aula regia / Throne Hall

The Aula regia, the throne hall of the imperial palace in Ingelheim, was built at the end of the 8th century and thus belongs to the founding building under Charlemagne (747/48-814). The throne hall was the most important public building and served as a prestigious meeting place. This is also evident from its high-quality furnishings, the remains of which were found during archaeological excavations. Parts of the building decoration inspired by antiquity, including fragments of the wall paintings and the precious decorative floor, can be viewed in the museum near the imperial palace.

Charlemagne’s recourse to the architectural forms of Roman antiquity can also be recognised in the floor plan of the Aula regia. The throne hall was 40.5 metres long and 16.5 metres wide and is today the most completely preserved building of the Carolingian palace complex. The main presentation “Palatinate of the Carolingians” is located in the monument area: an information area on the visitor platform at the north end of the Aula regia explains the history of the Carolingians and their palace in Ingelheim with the help of panels and a multimedia presentation. Visitors can take a look at the reconstructed past of the Aula regia through a “historical telescope”. Archaeological finds recovered during the excavations in the Throne Hall are also on display in showcases.