What was the capital of the Rhineland?

Aachen was the capital of the Rhineland during the Carolingian Empire, particularly under the rule of Charlemagne in the 8th and 9th centuries. Aachen is historically significant as it served as a cultural and political center where Charlemagne established his court and made it the seat of his empire. The city's location close to the borders of modern-day Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands added to its importance as a capital. It was in Aachen that the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of art, culture, and learning based on classical models, flourished.

In contrast, Cologne and Frankfurt have also been influential cities in the Rhineland but did not serve as its capital during this period. Berlin, while a significant city in Germany, is not associated with the historical context of the Rhineland as its capital. Understanding the historical background of Aachen helps clarify its importance as the capital in the context of the Rhineland's medieval history.