Pilgrimage
Together with Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela, Aachen was one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Middle Ages. It all started with a generous gift: it is said that Charlemagne was presented with set of precious relics from Jerusalem when his church was consecrated in 799.
Legend has it that among them were Aachen Cathedral’s four main relics which found safekeeping in the Shrine of the Virgin Mary in 1239. Ever since 1349, the four cloth relics have been displayed to the faithful from around the world every seven years.
What are the sanctuaries?
The four cloth relics are ancient fabrics, which are called…
The next Pilgrimage
The Aachen Pilgrimage is more than just the veneration of historical relics at its centre. It was and is a space for spirituality, an occasion for cultural exchange, a source of Aachen’s connections to the world, a space for discourse, a forum for social reflection and a place of protest against National Socialism.
More than ever, the ten-day Aachen Shrine Pilgrimage is an event for the entire city of Aachen and the diocese. It is a joyful celebration of faith for young and old. In June 2023, around 115,000 people experienced a pilgrimage under the motto “Discover me”.
The next shrine pilgrimage will take place in 2028.