Odo of Metz

Who was Odo of Metz?

Eudes of Metz was an architect who lived during Charlemagne's reign in the Carolingian Empire, and is the earliest known architect born north of the Alps.

His Carolingian architecture with polygonal plans and elaborate elevations of the buildings he created are a reminiscence of the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna and late Roman architecture with Byzantine style. It is unknown whether he saw these buildings himself, or only drawings of them.

Odo had a large technical knowledge from De architectura by Vitruvius, as many Carolingian Renaissance era manuscripts of this Vitruvius's works exist.

Odo of Metz is credited as the architect of Charlemagne's Palace of Aachen with the Palatine Chapel, in Aachen.