Aachen

Aachen is also known in English by its French name Aix-la-Chapelle, and it has historically been a spa town in the North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

The RWTH Aachen University, one of Germany’s Universities of Excellence, is also located in the city. Aachen’s predominate economic focus is on science, engineering, information technology and related sectors. For innovation, Aachen is currently ranked 8th among the cities in Germany.

In the Middle Ages Aachen was the home of emperors and kings, and the scenery of many coronations. The cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage site) and the Gothic town hall form the heart of the old quarter of the city. The modern Carolus thermal baths and Aachen casino are also well worth a visit.

The city’s historical charm is most striking in the centre of the old town with its imposing cathedral, Gothic town hall and proud town houses dating from various centuries. The Elisenbrunnen drinking fountain is one of many in Aachen, and well worth a visit.

The Romans settled there 2,000 years ago, drawn by the thermal springs, but the real founder of the city was Charlemagne, who has shaped its history for 1200 years.

The high-quality collections of Aachen’s museums paint a comprehensive picture of the development of art from antiquity via medieval sculpture to the present day. Temporary exhibitions and a varied selection of events are provided to modern-day culture and tourism.

The region is well visited by tourists due to its beautiful sceneries and natural thermal baths as well as its historical background and centuries-old architecture.

Aachen is definitely a place for those who love History, but also a site for relaxing from everyday stressful life, and to immerse in a place where the past seems somehow present even today.