Aachen, North Rhine-Wetphalia, Germany — Central Europe
Feuerlöschgruppe Dom / Cathedral Fire Protection Group
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 21, 2023
1. Feuerlöschgruppe Dom / Marker
Wir danken den jungen Menschen der Feuerlöschgruppe Dom die in den “tausend Kriegsnächten” des 2. Weltkrieges (1939-1945) bei vielen Bombenangriffen unter Einsatz ihres Lebens den Aachener Dom vor seiner Vernichtung bewahrt haben.
Unser Dank gilt auch allen übrigen freiwilligen Helfern im Umfeld des Domes, die dafür Sorge trugen, dass der ausgelagerte Domschatz im Juni 1945 unversehrt zurückgeführt wurde.
Nous remercions les jeunes gens de la “Feuerlöschgruppe Dom” qui ont, au péril de leur vie, participé à l'extinction des incendies dans la Cathédrale au cours des “mille nuits” de bombardements de la Seconde Guerre mondiale (1939-1945).
Nos remerciements s'adressent également à tous les autres volontaires dans l'entourage de la Cathédrale qui ont assuré le retour intact du trésor de la Cathédrale en juin 1945.
We would like to thank the young people of the Cathedral fire protection group “Feuerlöschgruppe Dom” who, at the risk of their lives, saved Aachen Cathedral from destruction
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In the same way we wish to thank all other volunteers connected with the Cathedral for ensuring the safe return of the evacuated treasury in June 1945.
Wij danken de jonge mensen van de Brandweergroep DOM die tijdens de "duizend oorlogsnachten" van de Tweede Wereldoorlog (1939- 1945) bij de vele bombardementen met gevaar voor eigen leven de Dom van Aken tegen vernietiging beschermed hebben.
Wij danken ook alle overige vrijwilligers in de buurt van den Dom die ervoor gezorgt hebben dat de in veiligheid gebrachte Domschatten in juni 1945 onbeschadigd teruggebracht konden worden.
Erected 2008 by Domkapitel Aachen, Karlsverein-Dombauverein.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1945.
Location. 50° 46.485′ N, 6° 4.979′ E. Marker is in Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Wetphalia). Memorial is on Domhof, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Domhof 8, Aachen HE 52062, Germany. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Aachener Dom / Aachen Cathedral / La Cathedrale de Aix-la-Chapelle (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 21, 2023
2. Feuerlöschgruppe Dom / Cathedral Fire Protection Group Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here mounted to the exterior of the Cathedral gift shop (orange building). The cathedral itself is located about 10 meters out of the picture, behind and to the right.
Also see . . . Aachen Cathedral (Wikipedia).
Overview: One of the oldest cathedrals in Europe, it was constructed by order of Emperor Charlemagne, who was buried there in 814. From 936 to 1531, the Palatine Chapel saw the coronation of thirty-one German kings and twelve queens. The church has been the mother church of the Diocese of Aachen since 1930. In 1978, Aachen Cathedral was one of the first 12 items to be listed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, because of its exceptional artistry, architecture, and central importance in the history of the Holy Roman Empire.(Submitted on December 5, 2023.)
WWII: During World War II, Aachen, including its famed cathedral, was heavily damaged by Allied bombing attacks and artillery fire, but the cathedral's basic structure survived. Many of the cathedral's artistic objects had been removed to secure storage during the war, and some which could not be moved were protected within the church itself. However, the glazing of the 14th-century choir hall, the Neo-Gothic altar, a large part of the cloister, and the Holiness Chapel (Heiligtumskapelle) were irretrievably destroyed. Reconstruction and restoration took place intermittently over more than 30 years, and cost an estimated €40 Million.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 41 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
