Aachen (Germany) is one of the oldest cities in the country, located on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands. It is known for its unique Aachen Cathedral and the Treasury of Charlemagne.
General information
Aachen is a city in the western part of Germany, near the border with Belgium and the Netherlands. The nearest major German cities are Düsseldorf and Cologne.
The city covers an area of 160.85 km2. The population is 250 thousand people. National composition: Germans (50 %), Belgians (19%), Dutch (23%), other nationalities – 8 %. Unlike most German cities, the population in Aachen is constantly increasing. First of all, thanks to the students, who are very numerous here.
Aachen is known for the Eifel National Park and its balneological resort. The resort features 38 thermal springs with sodium chloride water, which are used to treat skin conditions, joint diseases, and disorders of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Attractions
Aachen (Imperial) Cathedral
Aachen Cathedral is the main Catholic church in the city. It was built in the 9th century and is considered a German “wonder of the world.” For a long time, it was the site of the coronation of the emperors of the Roman Empire, and later it was the burial place of Charlemagne (although the exact location of his burial is unknown).
The Aachen Cathedral houses a number of important Christian relics, including the Virgin Mary’s yellow dress, the Baby Jesus’s swaddling clothes, and the Jesus’s belt. These relics were once brought from the East to Europe by Charlemagne. While it is uncertain whether these items are genuine, they attract hundreds of visitors every day who come to witness them.
In addition to these cathedral exhibits, the Chapel of Charlemagne in Aachen contains a royal marble chair, a crown with precious stones, and a bronze lamp in the cathedral, which is 12 meters wide.
If you leave the Chapel in Aachen, you will see that the cathedral grounds are richly decorated with sculptures and stucco. Among the most famous monuments are the sculpture of the first Christian king and patron saint of Hungary, Stephen, and the sculpture of the crucifixion of Christ.
The core of the Aachen Palace Chapel is a 31-meter-high glass octagonal dome.
- Address: Klosterplatz 2, 52062 Aachen, Germany.
- The palace chapel of Charlemagne in Aachen is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Treasury of Charlemagne at Aachen Cathedral
The Aachen City Treasury in Germany is perhaps the most important building in the city, which houses relics from all over the world.
The most famous exhibit is a marble sarcophagus, which, according to legend, contained the remains of Charlemagne. It dates back to the 3rd century BC. In the 19th century, the tomb was almost destroyed when it was attempted to be placed in one of the halls. However, the ancient artifact remained unscathed.
Another rare exhibit is the Carolingian Gospel. It dates back to the first millennium AD. The Gospel depicts scenes with the appearance of the risen Christ, the meal in Emmaus and the meeting of Christ and the Apostles. Next to the Gospel is a large, gold – colored citrine stone set in gold. The uniqueness of this mineral lies precisely in its size.
The Oliphant, or hunting horn, is one of the few sacred objects in the treasury. Once again, the artifact dates back to at least the 1st millennium AD. Historians believe that Roland used the horn to call for help during hunting expeditions. The horn is made from an elephant’s tusk.
The bust of Charlemagne, which occupies an honorable place in the exhibition, is much more pompous and bright than the classic busts we are used to. Charlemagne’s hair and beard are covered with gold, and his robe is adorned with eagles and lilies (symbols of the Holy Roman Empire).
Another famous exhibit in the treasury is the Lothair Cross, which is made of gold and decorated with pearls, emeralds, opals, and gemstones. In the center is an image of Emperor Augustus. At the bottom of the exhibit is a cameo depicting King Lothair, after whom the cross is named.
Among the more “new” exhibits, we should highlight the rod of the regent of the Choir, which dates back to 1470. The item is made of gold and bronze. The rod was used during Sunday and holiday services in the temple.
In addition to the above-mentioned attractions, in the treasury you can see: a washstand (used for ablution), altar panels with Apostles (performed a decorative function), a reliquary with three spires, a reliquary of Charlemagne (valuable relics of the Passion of the Lord are stored here).
It is also worth mentioning a number of 16th-century liturgical objects: the Reutlingen brooch, the Madonna and Child sculpture, the Virgin Mary and Child figure, the crown of Margaret of York, the disc-shaped reliquary, and the medallions depicting Christ.
- Address: Klosterplatz, 52062 Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (January – March), 10:00 – 18:00 (April – December).
- Price: 4 euros.
The Puppet Fountain (Puppenbrunnen)
Puppenbrunnen or the Fountain of Dolls is one of the most visited places in the city of Aachen. The attraction is located just a stone’s throw away from the famous Aachen Cathedral.
Contrary to the opinion of tourists, the fountain has a rather important meaning. The landmark symbolizes the life of the city and the main hobbies of its residents. For example, the horse and the knight represent the annual equestrian tournaments held in the city, while the figure of the priest symbolizes the church life, and the merchant is a symbol of the city’s thriving trade.
The doll after which the fountain was named, represents the city’s developed textile industry. Harlequin and the professor are symbols of culture and science, and the theatrical masks are the main element of the Aachim carnival. The rooster sitting on top, testifies to the fact that the French army once occupied the city.
It is important to note that the attraction is mobile – both the masks and the figures can change their position and move their limbs.
Address: Krämerstrasse, 52062 Aachen, Germany.
Main (Market) Square (Markt)
The Market Square is the heart of Aachen. It is home to the city’s main historical landmarks, and every Thursday, it hosts a traditional European farmer’s market. Visitors can find fresh vegetables, delicious sweet pastries, and traditional German dishes. Additionally, large fairs are held during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
If you want to see how people live in Aachen, come here.
As for the sights, there are plenty of them: the Fountain of Charlemagne (installed in 1620), the main Cathedral of Aachen, the Puppet Fountain, and the Aachen Town Hall.
Address: Markt, Aachen, Germany.
Aachen Zoo (Tierpark Aachen)
Among the main attractions of Aachen in Germany, the zoo is a relatively new building that was constructed in 1966. The main goal of the architects was to combine entertainment and science, as it was important to attract not only children but also students and schoolchildren who could observe the wildlife for scientific purposes.
The zoo currently houses over 70 species of birds and over 200 species of animals. In addition, you can see reptiles and marine life.
The zoo has playgrounds for children and teenagers, as well as recreation areas for adults and the elderly. You can also book a bus tour of the zoo. At 3 p.m., you can ride a pony or a horse.
- Address: Obere Drimbornstr. 44, 52066, Aachen.
- Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00
- Price: 15 euros for adults, 12 euros for children.
- Official website: http://euregiozoo.de.
Black Table Magic Theater
Black Table Magic Theater is a magic theater. The main difference of this place is that here they do magic tricks only on the table. Two magicians (Christian Jidinat and René Vander) will show their best tricks with cards, balls, coins, books, and also offer to participate in the action to the audience.
On Mondays, invited magicians perform their programs at the theater.
Tourists who have visited the show say that they would love to come back again: time flies by in the theater, and the amazing magic tricks are remembered for a long time.
- Address: Borngasse 30 | im Kino Cineplex 1. Stock, 52064 Aachen, Germany.
- Working hours: 19.30 – 23.30.
- Price: 45 euros for adults and 39 euros for children.
Food in the city
There are more than 400 cafes and restaurants in Aachen, offering a variety of national, European, and Asian cuisines. It’s worth noting that the further you venture away from the city’s attractions, the lower the prices on the menu become. Here are the average prices for various dishes:
| Name of the dish | Price (euro) |
|---|---|
| Berlin-Style Hamburg Steak | 16 |
| Moultashen | 14 |
| White Sausages Weißwurst | 15 |
| Beef rolls | 14 |
| Labskaus | 8 |
| Dresden Stollen (a piece) | 2.5 |
| Black Forest Cherry Cake (slice) | 3.5 |
| Cappuccino cup | 2 |
Where to stay
Aachen is not a tourist city, so there are not many hotels and guesthouses (about 60 accommodation options). It is important to book accommodation in advance, as it is usually full during the high season (May-August).
The average cost of a double room in a 3-star hotel during the high season is 70-90 euros per night. There are also several options for 50 euros, but the conditions are much worse. A standard 3-star hotel room includes free parking, a good breakfast (European style), free Wi-Fi, and all necessary amenities.
A 4* hotel for two people in high season will cost about the same per day. There are no 5* hotels in the city.
Almost all hotels are located close to the city center, so you won’t have any trouble reaching the attractions.
How to get
Aachen is located almost on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands, so it is more convenient and faster to get to this city not from German airports, but from neighboring countries:
- Maastricht Airport in Maastricht (Netherlands). The distance to the city is 34 km;
- Liege Airport in Liege (Belgium). Distance – 57 km;
- Cologne Airport in Cologne (Germany). Distance-86 km;
- Düsseldorf Airport in Düsseldorf (Germany). Distance – 87 km;
- Eindhoven Airport in Eindhoven (Netherlands). Distance – 109 km;
- Essen Airport in Essen (Germany). The distance is 110 km.
Thus, the choice of airports is very large. There are a total of 15 airports within a 215 km radius in three countries.
From Cologne
If you are traveling in Germany, you will probably go to Aachen from Cologne. They are separated by 72 km, and you can travel them:
By bus
You need to take a direct Eurolines bus from Köln ZOB station. The journey takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. The cost is 25 euros. The buses run five times a day (at 10:00, 13:00, 15:00, 19:00, and 21:00). You can purchase a ticket on the official website of the carrier: https://www.eurolines.eu
By train
You need to take the Re1 train (operated by Bahn DE) from Köln, Dom / Hbf station. The journey takes 52 minutes. The cost is 20-35 euros. The train runs twice a day (at 10:00 and 16:00). You can purchase a ticket at the city’s central railway station.
By taxi
It takes 45-50 minutes to get from Cologne to Aachen. The cost is 140-180 euros.
Interesting facts
- The Aachen Knight Tournament was founded in 1869 at the Kalkhofen estate. Since then, it has been held every year, attracting over 150,000 guests.
- Aachen Zoers (where the competition is currently taking place) is to riders what Wimbledon is to tennis players.
- The most famous resident of the city is Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He is one of the most talented and influential architects of the 20th century.
- You don’t need to spend too much time in Aachen – 1-2 days will be enough to get a general impression of the city and visit its main attractions.
Aachen (Germany) is not a very popular tourist destination, but it is definitely worth a visit, as it is home to unique exhibits and some of the most important Christian relics.
