Charlemagne Empire: "Sword + the Cross"

The Holy Roman Empire or The Empire of the Germans was founded by Charles the Great (Charlemagne), whose coronation on Christmas Day 800 gave Papal approval to the unification of France, most of modern Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, and northern Italy under his rule. Although his male line descendants had died out within little more than a century, Charlemagne is the ancestor of every existing Christian European ruling or former ruling dynasty. The only modern survivors of the Empire are the ecclesiastical Princes - the German Archbishops and Bishops - and the Sovereign Princes of Liechtenstein. With the death of Charlemagne no ruler until Napoleon ever held sway over his lands and the Imperial title became the legacy of the Germans.

Charlemagne's Birth + Burial Place: Aachen

A city in western Germany, in North Rhine-Westphalia, situated where the three countries of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet. It was the birthplace of Charlemagne and the center of Carolingian culture. Charlemagne made his permanent residence in Aachen and was buried in the cathedral he built there. The cathedral has since been rebuilt, but the Gramus Tower of the historic City Hall is said to date from the days of Charlemagne.