Why did medieval Hungarian pilgrims travel over 1,200 kilometres to reach Aachen?

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For centuries, thousands of Hungarian pilgrims trekked across Europe to visit the Aachen Cathedral, drawn by holy relics donated by Charlemagne. This deep connection eventually led to the construction of a dedicated Hungarian chapel, a site that remains a testament to a unique cultural and religious bond between nations.

Aachen was once the third most significant pilgrimage destination in medieval Europe, trailing only Rome and Santiago de Compostela. Starting in 1349, every seventh year, the city hosted the Aachenfahrt, a major event centered on the veneration of relics of Christ's incarnation. Hungarian participation was exceptionally high; despite the arduous journey of over 1,200 kilometres, chronicles suggest that in some years, more than 5,000 Hungarian pilgrims made the trip, often traveling by water along the Danube and the Rhine.

The Hungarian presence became so established that Louis I of Hungary commissioned a dedicated chapel in 1364 to serve his countrymen. Completed in 1367, the Gothic structure was designed to complement the cathedral and housed relics of Hungarian saints, including Stephen I, Emeric, and Ladislaus I. To ensure its longevity, the King purchased local land to provide ongoing income for the chapel's maintenance and its Hungarian chaplains. By 1374, the site was officially recognized as the Chapel of Hungary.

The chapel's history has been marked by both destruction and renewal. A fire in 1656 left the original Gothic building in ruins, and a subsequent 18th-century attempt at reconstruction by architect Johann Couven failed when the walls collapsed. It was not until 1764 that the current Baroque-Classicist structure, designed by Joseph Moretti, was completed. Today, the chapel stands as a quiet space for prayer, while a 1993 bronze statue of King Saint Stephen by Imre Varga in the cathedral garden serves as a modern reminder of this enduring historical link.

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