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How did Aachen become the coronation city?

OTTO III VISITING CHARLES
The main reason why coronations were held at Aachen is the memory of Charlemagne, whose tomb and throne can be found at St Mary’s Church. As legend has it, Otto III saw Charlemagne sitting on his thrown in 1000. However, Aachen only became an important imperial city under Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who had Charlemagne canonised in 1165.

Seat of the throne at St Mary’s Church