History of AachenThe city´s origin lies in 200 A.D. when the Celts were the frist ones to mentionably settle around the hot springs (Aachen hosts the hottest springs north of the Alps) in the valley. This settlement was called "Aquas Grani" (=waters of Granus, Granus being the Celtic God of water and health).
Later the Romans came and constructed a huge military bath to cure their soldiers.
The next ones to settle here were the Franks. Charlemagne (742-814), King of the Francs, made Aachen his residence and center of his empire, building a palace, cathedrale, a kings´ bath, an abbey, and a surrounding Frank village. He was crowned in 800 in his cathedrale, and also burried there.
Then Aachen was the place for all German kings to be crowned for the next 600 years.
In 972 Barbarossa gave "Ahhe" (as it was then called) town charter and had a city wall build.
In the Middle Age Aachen became an important place of pilgramage (due to Charlemagne´s canonization) and a rising cloth industry and other artisans and commerce brought great wealth to the city.
In 1656 a big fire destroyed 80% of the houses, but the city was quickly reconstructed and then became a gem of baroque style.
Peace congresses were held to announce peace between France and Spain in 1668, and again in 1748 to end the Austrian wars.
In the 18th and 19th century Aachen with its hot springs again became an elegant bath of the kings and city of the high society.
In the French Revolution Aachen got occupied by Napoleon´s troups in 1794, became French and diocesan town.
In 1815 Aachen became part of Prussia, Germany, gained again importance as a spa and industrial center.
Then Aachen suffered set-backs in WW I and WW II.
Bombs destroyed 60% of the city. In 1944 Aachen was the first city to be occupied by the Allies (Americans). After 1945 Aachen was rebuild and the important cultural monuments were reconstructed.
Now Aachen is an important spa, industrial and university city.
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