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The Isle of France. We find no buildings in thatcountry older than his time anceexcept those which theRomans had left behind them. Charlemagne howeverwas a great builder. Eginhardt his secretary and biographersays he repaired the churches throughout hisdominions, but he gives no details. A book deaedificiis in the 8th century would have been veryinteresting, but Eginhardt was no Procopius, nor wasCharlemagne a Justinian.
Two buildings however, wearemodestly told, seem not unworthy of mention, " the Mx-iabasilicaof the most holy mother of God, constructed withwondrous workmanship at Aquisgranum, and a bridgeover the Rhine at Moguntiacum 1 "This bridge atMainz was only of wood, perhaps of boats, but thebasilica at AIX-LA-CHAPELLE was a great work consideringitsage and situation.
It was destined by Charlemagne to be also his tombhouse,and here he was in fact afterwards buried; seatedon his throne, imperially robed, and with his sceptre inhis hand and a copy of the gospels on his knee, as hewas found when the tomb was opened in Thesplendour of this church, says Eginhardt, was the expressionof his Christian devotion. He adorned it with1Eginhardt, Vita Caroli Magni, cap. Vitalegold and silver, and lights,and with doors and screensof solid bronze. Hither he would come to the servicemorning and evening and even by night as longas hishealth permitted 1.
The building Fig. Eginhardttells us thatCharlemagne imported columns and marbles for the workfrom Ravenna and Rome 2 and he,issupposed to havestripped and ruined the splendid palace of Theodoric atthe former city which has now practically disappeared.
