Gefördert durch
„Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung
für Kultur und Medien“
Ingelheim am Rhein - Sharing Heritage

North wing

The north wing, facing the Rhine Valley, constituted the best side of the Imperial Palace. The Rhine was a main thoroughfare, but one of the key arterial roads of the Frankish Empire also ran nearby. Therefore, a lot of coming and going of people as well as the exchange of goods and information was always ensured here.

As to the organization of the empire, traffic routes had an important function: by means of laws and regulations, the power of the ruler would penetrate into all parts of the empire. At Charlemagne’s court, the finest scholars of the Western World saw to the exchange and flow of information.
    • The north wing consisted of a long building block and a large hall that was transversely attached to it. On the side facing the courtyard, the oblong building exhibited a colonnade.

      The north wing consisted of a long building block and a large hall that was transversely attached to it. On the side facing the courtyard, the oblong building exhibited a colonnade.

    • Digital reconstruction of the north wing. The colonnade connected the courtyard to the interior rooms.

      Digital reconstruction of the north wing. The colonnade connected the courtyard to the interior rooms.

    • Digital reconstruction of the Heidesheim gate. Here, too, there was colonnade on the inside of the semi-circular building block that offered access to the interior rooms.

      Digital reconstruction of the Heidesheim gate. Here, too, there was colonnade on the inside of the semi-circular building block that offered access to the interior rooms.

    • This column of grey marble was found in Ingelheim and may have once been part of one of the colonnades.

      This column of grey marble was found in Ingelheim and may have once been part of one of the colonnades.

    • At Ingelheim, the columns and the architectural sculpture are recycled materials from antiquity. The widely differing dimensions and materials demonstrate this.

      At Ingelheim, the columns and the architectural sculpture are recycled materials from antiquity. The widely differing dimensions and materials demonstrate this.

    • Such a diversity of architectural sculpture can already be found in Lombard architecture. Charles knew these buildings, such as, for example, the basilica of San Salvatore in Brescia. They could have served as a model.

      Such a diversity of architectural sculpture can already be found in Lombard architecture. Charles knew these buildings, such as, for example, the basilica of San Salvatore in Brescia. They could have served as a model.

    • Facing the Rhine, the side of the north wing presented balconies with grounding support, which could have served representative purposes.

      Facing the Rhine, the side of the north wing presented balconies with grounding support, which could have served representative purposes.

    • Charlemagne gathered scholars from different countries at his court and thus created a new culture of knowledge. Shown here is the scholar Alcuin of York in the centre, accompanied by Rabanus Maurus Magnentius, in front of Saint Martin.

      Charlemagne gathered scholars from different countries at his court and thus created a new culture of knowledge. Shown here is the scholar Alcuin of York in the centre, accompanied by Rabanus Maurus Magnentius, in front of Saint Martin.

    • Map with marked „Karlsgraben“ (Fossa Carolina): It should overcome the European watershed and connect the River systems of the Danube and the Rhine-Main rivers.

      Map with marked „Karlsgraben“ (Fossa Carolina): It should overcome the European watershed and connect the River systems of the Danube and the Rhine-Main rivers.