| Published in Attractions / Places of Interest |
Tourist Attractions in Aachen, Germany
Aachen, Germany. 
Known as Aix-la-Chapelle in French and Aken in Dutch, the city has played a prominent role in early Medieval Europe, when it became the favoured residence of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor who created the empire in the late 8th and early 9th century and built the city's impressive cathedral, where he is now buried along with a succession of later German rulers, many of whom were also crowned in the city.
The city lies at the borders of Germany with Belgium and the Netherlands, forming the economic region called the Euregio. There are several Euregios in Europe, but regionally speaking just of "the Euregio" is understood to mean the one centred on Aachen.
• Aachen Cathedral (Der Aachener Dom / Hohe Domkirche), Domhof 1. Jan-Mar: daily 07:00-18:00; Apr-Dec: daily 07:00-19:00. During mass access is restricted to attending in the services. Touristic visits are recommended for M-F after 11:00; Sa-Su after 12:30. Aachen Cathedral is one of the most famous examples of occidental architecture. Around 800, the core building of the Palace Chapel was built. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Gothic choir (the "Aachen glasshouse"), the north and south chapel were added.
Through the centuries, many other constructions and decorations were completed. Today, it is a unique and beautiful two-storey cathedral of classical pillars, bronze railings, golden masterpieces, glassworks, etc. The cathedral is the memorial and funeral place of Charlemagne (814). Heiligtumsfahrt The Aachen pilgrimage has taken place every year since 1349.
In 1978 it was the first German building to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. €1 for a wristband that allows taking photos (though they usually will not collect it if you're on a tour).
Aachen Cathedral.
• Aachen Cathedral Tour, Dominformation Visitor Center, Johannes-Paul-II.-Str. 14:00. There's a 45 min English guided tour every day. Tickets are sold inside Dominformation (not the cathedral). €4/adult €3/concession.
• Cathedral Treasury (Domschatzkammer), Johannes-Paul-II.-Straße. Treasure grove (Schatzkammer) hours: Jan-Mar: M 10:00-13:00; Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. Apr-Dec: M 1000-13:00; Tu-Su 10:00-18:00; closed on 24 and 25 Dec, 31 Dec, 1 Jan, and some days around carnival. Ecclesiastical treasures from Antique, Carolingian, Ottonian and Staufian epochs, including Cross of Lothair and the Bust of Charlemagne. Public and private tours are available with reservations for additional cost. €5/adult, €4/concession, €10/family.
Bust of Charlemagne.
• Rathaus, Markt. The medieval town hall. The mayor of Aachen still has their office in there.
Aachen Rathaus.
• Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst (Ludwig Forum for International Art), Jülicher Straße 97-109, 52070 (Slightly outside the city centre, in between Stadtgarten and Europaplatz), e-mail: info@ludwigforum.de. Tu W F 12:00-18:00; Th 12:00-22:00: Sa Su 11:00-18:00. While the building looks less than impressive from the outside, Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst houses a grand collection of contemporary art, including works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring. Text accompanying the works is given in German and English. Adult €10; Child €6.
Ludwig Forum for International Art.
• International Newspaper Museum (Internationales Zeitungsmuseum), Pontstraße 13.
International Newspaper Museum.
• Elisa Fountain (Elisenbrunnen), Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz. Built 1827, thermal waters of the spa town.
Elisa Fountain.
• Couven-Museum, Hühnermarkt 17. 18th-century house and furniture.
Couven-Museum.
• Belvedere rotating water tower (Drehturm), Belvedereallee 5. Park above the town.
Belvedere rotating water tower.
• Grashaus, Fischmarkt. Original town hall, completed in 1267, is one of the oldest buildings in Aachen.
Grashaus.
• Haus Löwenstein. 14th-century building.
Haus Löwenstein.
• Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum, Wilhelmstraße 18. German and Dutch sculpture and painting collection.
Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum.
• Ponttor. 14th-century city gates.
Ponttor.
• Marschiertor. 13th-century city gate.
Marschiertor.
• Zollmuseum Friedrichs, Horbacher Straße 497, 52072 Aachen-Horbach (Bus 44). 1st and 3rd Sunday 11:00 and 14:30. Museum about border crossings and the border. Phone to reserve.
• RWTH Aachen University (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen) If you are interested in architecture, you can find all building styles from 1900 till today concentrated at the city-campus around Templergraben.
— Main building
— Kármán Auditorium
— Audimax
— Mogam
— Super-C The reception building of the RWTH-Aachen. Build to resemble the letter C. Nicely illuminated at night.
— Reiff Museum
— Rogowski building
— Department of mining
— Semi 90
— Heizkraftwerk (now lecture halls)
RWTH Aachen University.
• Uniklinik. The university's hospital. One striking example of post-modern architecture like the Centre Pompidou in Paris. (Wikivoyage)
See also Aachen in Pictures.
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