"Bad Aachen" Aachen by pieter_jan_v

Aachen Travel Guide: 502 reviews and 1,205 photos

A city of fountains and baths

Aachen, Aix-la-Chapelle, Aken or Aquis Grana

Aachen Weapon

The name Aachen derives from the Frankish word AHHA, meaning water.
The hot springs were already worshipped by the Celts to honour their God Grannus, the God of Healing and Water.
When King Charlemagne came in control in 768AD Aachen really started to become a city with the building of the palace. Charlemagne died in 824 and was buried in the Cathedral, which became a place for pilgrimage in the centuries thereafter.
The Holy Roman emperors were crowned at Aachen from 813 to 1531.
In 1353 the town hall was built on the ruins of Charlemagne's palace.
During the German Reformation in the 16th century the city was lutes and some 4000 home burned to the ground in the big city fire.
In 1801 Aachen became a part of France during the French. After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, Aachen was acquired by Prussia at the Congress of Aachen at 1818. The nearby coalmines became an important factor for the local industry.
The city was badly damaged in WW II and nowadays you'll find a mix of old and new buildings in the center.

Pros and Cons

Pros:At the corner with Belgium and the Netherlands
Cons:The smell of the hot water springs
In a nutshell:A city with a 200 year history

Last visit to Aachen: Sep 2004
Intro Updated Oct 3, 2004
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Reviews (14)

Hidden gems Things to Do (4)

In Aachen is a lot to discover. Not only all the fountains, the walls of the old houses have many surprises. more travel advice

Gummidbärchen on the loose Shopping (5)

Gummi Bärchen are well-known sweets in Germany. In this shop you'll find candy and the related merchandise. Him- &... more travel advice

The Municipal Theatre Things to Do (4)

The Municipal Theatre is a great building with its classic facade. more travel advice

Watch out for the Monster, ladies! Things to Do (4)

The Bahkauv-Brunnen is the monsters the ladies will encounter after they go out at night and drink in the bars. It's... more travel advice

Favorites (2)
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Comments (16)

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Nemorino May 20, 2009 at 2:48 PM

Sounds like you had a great VT meeting in Aachen back in 2004.
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Mariajoy Jul 5, 2005 at 9:25 AM

Great Aachen page PJ! We stopped just outside the city - very briefly - but I would love to see more of it! btw... what is Schweinehaxen?
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pepples46 Jan 30, 2005 at 3:01 PM

very interesting intro, had me glueed, super page followed, great tips....der Buchfink singt sich einen Kropf, lovely Bird!!
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keeweechic Oct 4, 2004 at 8:17 PM

Gosh the city sure had a rough past. I love that wooden house, how great it survived. Love your VT Meetings and photos.. great time.
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catnl Oct 2, 2004 at 5:14 AM

pity i could'nt join this meeting, seems it was a nice meeting again :-) fijn weekend!
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nighthawk Oct 1, 2004 at 4:27 PM

lovely aachen pics! the meet that is .. it s beddy bed time fer me now! another time i might do the tips! have a good weekend!
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martin_nl Oct 1, 2004 at 11:31 AM

Looks like you guys had a great meeting!! Wish I was there.... Did you find any records for your collection?
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m-joy Sep 29, 2004 at 6:55 AM

Haha, I love the warnings-or-danger-tip! By the way, somebody eliminated the horses droppings in front of the t-office ;-)
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sandysmith Sep 29, 2004 at 5:31 AM

Lovely to have met, sorry we didn't have longer to chat. Great pics....I shall have to get to work on mine soon!
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sabsi Sep 29, 2004 at 1:43 AM

hahahahahahaha funny pics as usual. but where's the kartoffelkloss? ;)