Imperial inspiration

There are eight supporting pillars within the chapel, made from porphyry marble. Charlemagne imported the expensive material from Ravenna, Italy, emphasising the influence of the city’s Basilica of San Vitale had on the design of the Palatine Chapel, as well as from Rome. Porphyry marble was purple, the expensive colour of royalty, adding further symbolism to its use in the construction of the chapel.