Saalkirche (church)

For a long time, it was assumed that the “Saalkirche” was Charlemagne’s palatine chapel. However, archaeological excavations from 1960 to 1963 showed that the church was not built until after the year 900, under Ottonian rule. However, the latest charcoal samples from the foundations date the church to the years 1027-1154, i.e. the Salian period. In 2004, archaeologists also discovered two early medieval predecessor buildings to the church during excavations to the north of the hall church. They probably served Charlemagne and subsequent rulers as a small private chapel. The representative palatine church at this time was St. Remigius Church, 400 metres away.

Since its construction, the Saalkirche has been remodelled and renovated several times. Under the Hohenstaufen dynasty in the 12th century, the transept was extended and the flanking bell towers were given Romanesque architectural decoration. The large bell tower was added in 1861. After destruction during the Thirty Years’ War, the nave was not rebuilt on its historical foundations until 1964. The colours on the exterior mark the different construction phases: the medieval parts are plastered red, the later additions yellow. The interior houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the building and the Ottonian palace.