The Birthplace of Cultural Reform
Charlemagne ruled as emperor in Europe during the 8th and 9th centuries. The Palatine Chapel was built as a part of Charlemagne’s palace and it was the site for the palace school where many received a robust Christian education. This structure still stands today in Aachen, Germany. The Palatine Chapel represents the birthplace of cultural reformation during Charlemagne’s rule.
As emperor, Charlemagne set out to build a complex, structured society and establish a Christian kingdom. He deeply valued and promoted the Christian education of societal leaders because he believed this would bring about cultural reformation. Through Christian study, Charlemagne ordered his empire around God’s truth, goodness and beauty. This produced the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of profound cultural and intellectual revival within Western Europe. The dark ages, which preceded Charlemagne’s rule, were overcome by people ordering their lives around the Light of the world.
We have chosen our name, the Palatine Institute, to reflect both this part of history and our hope for the future. Like Charlemagne, we too desire the furtherance of God’s kingdom on earth and a cultural reformation. We hope to encourage and equip people to order their lives around what is true, good and beautiful through Christian study and therefore contribute to the building of a Christian culture.