The Mystery of Charlemagne’s Tomb – Secrets of the First Holy Roman Emperor

When Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor and one of the most powerful rulers of the Middle Ages, died in 814 CE, his burial was intended to be as monumental as his reign. Yet over 1,200 years later, the final resting place of the man called "Father of Europe" still inspires questions. Despite being laid to rest in Aachen Cathedral, surrounded by the grandeur of his empire, the details of Charlemagne's tomb remain clouded in mystery, legend, and unanswered riddles.

A Burial in Aachen

Charlemagne died in January 814 in his palace at Aachen, the city that had become his imperial capital. According to contemporary accounts, he was buried the same day in the Palatine Chapel, which today forms the core of Aachen Cathedral. The speed of the burial reflected both medieval custom and the winter conditions of the time.

But the sources are vague about the exact form of his tomb. Unlike other rulers, who were laid in ornate sarcophagi with elaborate ceremonies, Charlemagne's burial seems surprisingly modest for a monarch of his stature. Why would such a monumental emperor be buried so quickly and so plainly?

The Discovery of His Tomb

Centuries later, curiosity and reverence drove rulers and clergy to search for Charlemagne's resting place. The most famous rediscovery occurred in 1000 CE, when the Holy Roman Emperor Otto III reportedly opened the tomb. According to chroniclers, Otto found Charlemagne's body seated on a throne, dressed in imperial robes, a crown upon his head, and a sword in his lap—like a king still ruling from beyond the grave.

The dramatic account spread widely, but historians have debated its accuracy ever since. Was Charlemagne really buried in a seated position, or was this a later embellishment designed to enhance his legendary status?

Relics, Sarcophagi, and Confusion

Over the centuries, Charlemagne's remains were moved multiple times:

• In the 12th century, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa had Charlemagne canonized and transferred his bones into a richly decorated golden shrine, which still stands in Aachen Cathedral today.

• The Proserpina sarcophagus, a beautifully carved Roman marble coffin in Aachen, is sometimes said to have been Charlemagne's original resting place, though this too remains uncertain.

• Relics attributed to Charlemagne—such as his arm bones, skull fragments, and throne—were venerated across Europe, further scattering the trail of his true burial.

This confusion has made it nearly impossible to determine exactly how and where he was first laid to rest.

Theories and Legends

Several mysteries linger around Charlemagne's tomb:

1. The Seated Burial Legend
   If Otto III really found Charlemagne seated upright, it would have been a burial unlike any other known in medieval Europe. Some interpret this as symbolic—a ruler who never truly died but continued to reign eternally. Others argue it was political propaganda, designed to connect Otto's reign with Charlemagne's legacy.

2. Missing Bones
   Not all of Charlemagne's bones are accounted for. Over centuries of relic collection, division, and even theft, parts of his skeleton may have been scattered or lost. Are all the bones in Aachen Cathedral today really his?

3. A Secret Resting Place
   Some researchers suggest that Charlemagne's true grave may still be hidden within the foundations of the Palatine Chapel, undiscovered for more than a millennium. Without modern excavations—which the church refuses to permit—the mystery endures.

The Legacy of a Hidden Emperor

Charlemagne's tomb is more than just a historical curiosity; it reflects the blurred lines between medieval faith, politics, and myth-making. His resting place became a symbol of legitimacy for emperors who followed, a sacred connection to the man who united much of Western Europe.

Even today, pilgrims and tourists flock to Aachen to see the golden shrine, knowing that beneath its gleaming surface lies a story riddled with unanswered questions. The truth of how Charlemagne was buried—and what happened to his remains—remains one of the great mysteries of medieval history.