Charlemagne (742 - 814)
- The former EU Council building is named the Charlemagne Building (Photo: thesetides.com)
Emperor of a large part of central and western Europe around 800 a.d.
Charlemagne ruled over an area similar to the territory of most of the original EU, in particular Germany, France and the Benelux countries.
His empire still provides inspiration for supporters of European integration. Thus the former EU Council building is named the Charlemagne Building. This building in rue de la Lois, Brussels, now houses the EUs “foreign office”.
Notes
There is a special Charlemagne Prize, which is awarded annually in Aachen to a European politician, usually for sevices to European integration.
