Germany from A to Z: Aachen

Aachen Cathedral is an architectural relic from the Carolingian Renaissance. In addition to artifacts from the rule of Charlemagne, it houses the royal throne that numerous German kings ascended between the 10th and 16th centuries after their coronation. The people of Aachen are proud of the fact that their cathedral was the first German monument to be declared a World Heritage Site in 1978.

A visit to the Münsterplatz in Aachen's old town is always a good idea. The many colorful houses bring cheer and small boutiques entice shoppers with something out of the ordinary. But you can also simply take in the city, eat an ice cream and enjoy the view of Aachen Cathedral.

Next to the cathedral, Aachen's town hall is the most distinctive building in the city. It was built in the Gothic style in the 14th century. Among other things, the Charlemagne Prize for outstanding services to international understanding and unity in Europe is awarded here. The winner in 2020 was the Romanian President Klaus Johannis.

Charlemagne not only rendered outstanding services to the unity of Europe, but also to the advancement of the sciences. Today, the University of Aachen is the largest higher education institution for technical studies in Germany with around 45,000 students.

As befits a university city, there is also a student district. On Pontstraße there are pubs, restaurants, cocktail bars and discos in close proximity. Whether at lunchtime, in the afternoon or evening, there is something for every taste. Before the coronavirus crisis, Aachen life was bustling in Pontstraße – and will certainly return.

As a spa town, Aachen should be called Bad Aachen. It was already known for its thermal springs before Charlemagne's time. The city decided against this addition to its name so as not to lose its top spot in alphabetical city directories. The Elisenbrunnen, a neo-classical building from 1827, contains two wells from which the 52°C (125°F) warm, sulfurous water of the Imperial Spring flows.

The many fountains in Aachen reflect the city's close connection to water. A special feature is the "interactive" Puppenbrunnen (Doll's fountain) by the sculptor Bonifatius Stirnberg from 1975. The moving figures symbolize equestrian sports, carnival, the textile industry and science. All this has a long tradition in Aachen.

The people of Aachen not only know how to bathe and ride, but also how to bake. In the Old Aachen coffeehouse, Van den Daele, you can get rice cakes, Printen gingerbread and Springerle, an egg dough aniseed pastry. The four houses that make up the coffee parlors date from the 17th century and have been merged into one house over time.

If you want to experience a fantastic view over Aachen, the best way is to climb the 264-meter (866 ft.) high Lousberg hill. The viewpoint in the Belvedere revolving tower gives you a 360° panorama. Those who prefer to let their gaze wander while lying down can look out over the city from hammocks mounted all year round not far from the tower.

Not far from Aachen the borders of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet. For the people in the so-called border triangle, European unity is so important that it has become a popular destination that includes restaurants, an observation tower and hedge labyrinth. The highlight: standing on the border stone, meaning you are in all three countries simultaneously.