Aachen Cathedral is regarded as the most famous north of the Alps and in 1978 was the first in Germany listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It was constructed on orders of emperor Charlemagne at the end of the 8th century and until 1531 was the church of coronation for German kings and queens. In its interior the cathedral has splendid mosaics, and the throne of Charlemagne  is a must see of any visit.  Charlemagne's remains are also here in a casket of gold and silver, known as the Karlsschrein. In the Marienschrein (shrine to St.Mary) on the other hand important Christian relics are kept, among them Christ's loincloth.  Every seven years thousands of Christians go on a pilgrimage to Aachen Cathedral. Aside from that some 1.3 million people visit Aachen Cathedral every year.