Aachen (Germany) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Aachen with a description, guides and cards.
Contents
City Aachen (Germany)
Aachen is a city in the west of Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia, located a few kilometers from the border with Belgium and The Netherlands. A place known for its spa resorts. since the time of the Roman Empire, it was chosen in the Middle Ages by Charles Great as its residence and turned into one of centers of the mighty kingdom of the francs. Aachen – one of the most historically significant cities of Germany. This is the city where For over six centuries, German kings were crowned. He attracts tourists historical sights and monuments culture, medieval buildings and streets, beautiful fountains. The pearl of Aachen is a monumental and imposing cathedral, laid by Charlemagne, in which he was buried. This cathedral considered the first object added to the World Heritage List UNESCO from Germany.
- Geography and climate
- Best time to visit
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Movement
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Aachen is located in the west of Germany a few kilometers from its border with the Netherlands and Belgium. The city is located in the north parts of the Eifel Upland, which is northwest section of the Rhine shale mountains. The surroundings of the city are hills, covered with forest. The highest point has a height of 410 meters above sea level.
Aachen’s climate is temperate with warm summers and mild winters. Per year 800 mm of precipitation falls, which are distributed evenly throughout of the year. The average summer temperature of 17-20 degrees, the coldest month (January) +3.
Panorama Aachen
Best time to visit
Aachen can be visited all year round.
Practical information
- The population is 260 thousand people.
- Area – 160 square meters. km
- The official language is German.
- Currency – Euro.
- Visa – Schengen.
- The time zone is +1, in summer +2.
Story
The first settlements on the site of Aachen appeared in Antiquity. The Romans founded here the town of Aquisgranum, famous for its balneological resorts.
In the early Middle Ages, the city became one of the European centers and often acted as the residence of the kings of the Franks. By his the heyday and power of Aachen is due to Charlemagne, who at first at the end of the 8th century made it his winter residence, and then in The beginning of the 9th century brought the capital here. Karl died and was buried in Aachen. He is considered the patron saint of the city.
Despite the fact that later the capital of Aachen ceased to be, the tradition conduct here the coronation persisted until the first half of the 16th century. At the same time, the city played a significant role in the region and remained one of the most significant cities of Germany. At the beginning of the 14th century, Aachen received status of a free imperial city.
Panorama Aachen
In the 16th century, after the transfer of the coronation procedure to Frankfurt, religious clashes and strong fire (1656) Aachen learns decay. The former power and influence of the city was lost. City survived at the expense of interest in their balneological sources.
At the end of the 18th century, Aachen briefly became part of France, but already in 1818 returns to Prussia.
During the Second World War, Aachen became the first city of Germany, taken by allied forces (USA, UK, France).
How to get there
Aachen has a common airport with the Dutch city of Maastricht. is he located 40 km from the city in the Netherlands and performs limited number of domestic flights. Nearest large Germany’s airports are located in Düsseldorf and Cologne, from where Aachen is easily accessible by train. Also nearby the airport of the Belgian Liege and the Netherlands Antwerp.
Aachen Architecture
Trains run to Aachen from Paris, Liege, Brussels, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, Cologne. Bus network routes connects Aachen with other major cities of Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
Shopping and shopping
Aachen is famous for its sweets and culinary products. Highly known for the Christmas market, which takes place on the old square between the cathedral and the town hall.
Christmas market in Aachen
Shopping areas and centers:
- AquisPlaza – modern shopping complex in the center cities.
- Adalbertstraße is one of the main shopping streets of Aachen. Pedestrian area with many shops and cafes.
- Krämerstraßeand Market
- Aachen Arkaden, Trierer Straße 1 – large shopping Centre
- Großkölnstraße- large shopping area
Food and drink
Aachen can offer the tourist a variety of different establishments, in which you can try not only German and European, but also Asian cuisine. From traditional dishes, gingerbread is in demand. Aachener Printen, which produce only in Aachen. They can buy in the historic center almost everywhere.
Many bars, cafes and restaurants are located on the street. Pontstraße, which stretches from the old market square to the pavements gateway This is one of the favorite places of youth.
Museum building in Aachen
sights
Aachen’s most famous landmark is Aachen Cathedral, founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century and being his the tomb. This impressive sacral edifice is one of the greatest examples of western architecture and listed UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Aachen Cathedral
Around 800, the main chapel of the cathedral was built, at 14-15 The Gothic choir, the northern and southern chapels were added over the centuries. Behind all his time here crowned over 30 Germanic kings and a dozen queens, and the building itself rebuilt, restored and expanded. Today is the cathedral is a beautiful monumental building in mostly gothic style with a unique interior, containing the most valuable exhibits of history and culture. Aachen Cathedral open from 7.00 to 19.00 (winter until 18.00). Cost of attendance 4 Euro.
If you love the history and rarities of the past, you should visit the treasury of Aachen Cathedral, which contains more than 100 unique historical exhibits from the 9th to the 16th century. Cost of visits 5 euro.
Aachen Town Hall
Another landmark attraction of the old city is Aachen Town Hall. This is a beautiful gothic building built on the foundation of the ancient residence (palace) of Charlemagne. Cost of visiting the town hall is 6 euros.
Between the town hall and Aachen Cathedral surrounded by old buildings the market square is located which is the heart of the old city and venue for various fairs.
Church of sv. Cross
On the Pontstraße in the direction of the Bridge Gate you can look at beautiful church of the early 20th century, bearing the name of St. Cross.
Bridge gates
If you move along Pontstraße from the old market square, then The end point will be the Bridge Gate, built in the 14th century. These a powerful stone structure was the northwest entrance to inner city. In the Middle Ages, the city wall of Aachen had 11 city gate. Only two of us survived to our time. of them.
Marching gate
The marching gate is one of the two surviving city gates of Aachen, located in the southern part of the old town. Were built in 12-13 century and were one of the main entrances to the inner city. The marching gate got its name because here there was a garrison and parade ground.
Fountain near the town hall
Video
Maps and guides
Detailed map of Aachen with landmarks
