Emperor Charlemagne Statue in Paris

"Get along, Kid Charlemagne!" Do you remember Steely Dan's song?

Twelve centuries before that song, the Frankish King Charlemagne (Carolingian dynasty) actually built a vast empire across central Europe.

The territories known as France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, some regions of northern Italy ans Spain today were all part of it. Impressive!

Charlemagne is considered the first Holy Roman Emperor. After his death, the unity of his Empire will not last long...