Aachen Travel guide

Aachen the birthplace of Charlemagne : The history of Aachen started with the takeover of the government by Charlemagne in 768 AD. The imperial palace by the hot water sources soon became Charlemagne's permanent residence and so developed into a spiritual and cultural reservoir. As the economic development of Aachen proceeded, the town became more and more prosperous, and this has persisted to the present day. Charlemagne was buried in the cathedral of Aachen in 824. Two hundred years later he was canonized, which resulted in a flow of pilgrims wishing to visit and see Charlemagne's tomb and the relics he gathered during his life. The relics are exhibited to the public every seven years (the next time in the year 2000). In the meantime they are stored in the Charlemagne Shrine, wrapped in silk cloths.

The Cathedral of AachenThe town's ties with Charlemagne are reflected in numerous architectural heirlooms and memorials in the townscape. To be mentioned here in particular are the Cathedral and the City Hall, the oldest part of which, the Granus Tower, is said to date from the days of Charlemagne.

Charlemagne made the city a centre of Carolingian culture and had his palace and cathedral erected in Aachen (where he was buried, in 824). The Holy Roman emperors were crowned in the city from 813 to 1531. During the French Revolution the city was occupied by the French and in 1801 was formally ceded to France. After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, Aachen was acquired by Prussia. The city was badly damaged in World War II.

Aachen is known for its abundance of Medieval architecture, paintings and sculptures. The Suermond-Ludwig Museum features 17th-century paintings, and the Ludwig Forum of International Art features exhibitions of various forms of contemporary art. Museums that cater to special interests are the Newspaper Museum, the Urban History Museum of Burg Frankenberg, the Customs History Collection, and the Computer Museum. Other noteworthy structures include the town hall, built in 1353 on the ruins of Charlemagne's palace

Nestled between large urban centres,Statue of Charlemagne the Eifel is replete with lakes and forests that offer all manner of recreational activities. Whether sports or leisure, native culture or the flair of other country that's literally "just down the road," the Aachen region has a lot to offer. Central location in the industrial heart of Europe, a superb workforce and cohesive technical and scientific infrastructure, high-tech research and technology centers, and public financial incentives, have enticed businesses from around the world to chose the Aachen Region as the starting ground for company expansion. In the centre with its pedestrian precincts you will come across all kinds of delight: impressive town houses and historic squares, the sparkling variety of the fountains of Aachen, "la dolce vita" in the cafés and the fantastic choice of first-rate shops - a pure paradise for shopping tours.

Aachen is embedded in an attractive landscape. Just outside the city, sceneries rich in forests, meadows and hills impress their visitors. The frontier crossing wildlife park Nordeifel / Hohes Venn-Eifel for example appeals to everybody. Moreover, the neighbouring Dutch region of Limburg is worth an excursion at any time. Near the border of the city tourists can visit the intersection of the three countries Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Aachen is home to the RWTH - Rhine-Westphalia Technical University Aachen, the largest university of technology in western Europe, and the "Fachhochschule Aachen" , a well-known technical college in Europe. These renowned institutions of higher learning produce 4,100 graduates and nearly 700 degrees annually. The Julich Research Centre , Germany's biggest large-scale research center, and three Fraunhofer Institutes contribute valuable research to future projects. And private research and development firms known the world over add to the mix, affording new companies superior technical support and know-how. No other region in the world dedicates this degree of resources and talent to encouraging innovation.

Sight from Aachen Paintings and sculptures from the late Middle Age or in 17th century painters, should visit the Suermond-Ludwig Museum. The Ludwig Forum of International Art is an exhibition of various forms of contemporary art. Plastic arts are presented here alongside with music, dance, theatre, film etc. Museums that cater special interests are the Newspaper Museum, the Urban History Museum of Burg Frankenberg, the Customs History Collection, and the Computer Museum

The city is also well known for its excellent mineral springs and has been a health resort since the 1st century AD.--the springs were, in fact, what first attracted Charlemagne to the city. It is also an important railroad junction and industrial center. The major manufactures include machinery, processed food, railroad equipment, and textiles.