Introducing Aachen
The Romans nursed their war wounds and stiff joints in the steaming waters of Aachen’s mineral springs, but it was Charlemagne who put the city firmly on the European map. The emperor too enjoyed a dip now and then, but it was more for strategic reasons why, in 794, he made Aachen the geographical and political capital of his vast Frankish Empire. The thermal waters remain a prime attraction to this day, but Aachen’s main lure really is the stunning Dom, which incorporates Charlemagne’s original palace chapel. In 1978, it became Germany’s first monument to be included on Unesco’s list of World Heritage Sites.
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Aachen shares borders with the Netherlands and Belgium, giving it a distinctly international and lively vibe that’s further enhanced by a large student population.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Brussels to Hamburg
by mike9 28 August 2011
Aachen is a beautiful historic small city. Just to the south the hills around Monschau close to the Belgian / German frontier make for…
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RE: One Week
by Mrs_Trellis 25 August 2011
I think with 8 days you could do a little loop to include Aachen (Germany) - sort of Ams- Delft- Dordrecht- Antwerp- Brugge/Bruges -Brussels…
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RE: Nice towns to visit west germany (close to Arnhem/Venlo in Holland)
by Liberat 24 August 2011
I've always found Düsseldorf a pleasant town. In this forum also Cologne is considered a nice town to visit for a day or two, as is Aachen.…
