Ancient spa Aquisgranum (Aachen)

Celts and Romans had already appreciated the presence of hot thermal springs in today's border triangle of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. In addition, traces of older settlement have been dated back to the Neolithic period (between 3000 and 2500 BC). 

City Hall (14th century)

But the city known as Aachen only became historically important thanks to Charlemagne, who had his palatine chapel built here at the end of the 8th century. Construction lasted less than ten years. The octagon-shaped design was influenced by Byzantine culture, and is considered a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture. The Aachen cathedral became Germany's first and the world's second UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Museum artefacts of Charlemagne

Since the dome opens to visitors at noon, we treat ourselves to breakfast in the cozy Aachen café first.

Then we visit the Cathedral Treasure Museum and the cathedral itself, where, despite crowds of visitors, respectful silence remains. From the 9th to the 15th century, this church became the place of coronation for German kings.

Aachen cathedral

On our city tour we pass the town hall and walk towards the Ponttor, a remnant of the former city fortifications, both dated 14th century. As we continue to the RWTH (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule), the university where Roland had studied engineering, a special traffic light, Robi, the university's mascot, lets us cross the street.

Ponttor

Robi, the Uni mascot

Back in the pedestrian zone we stroll to the Elisen fountain, from whose taps 52°C warm sulphurous mineral water flows filling the building with the smell of rotten eggs. 

Elisen-Fountain

It stinks!

At the end of our tour, of course, the hunt for the perfect Printe must not be forgotten. Invented in the 15th century as long lasting travel provision for pilgrims it remains a well known specialty pastry in this region to date. After various sample tasting, we buy a good portion of the delicious gingerbread specialty from the traditional Printen Bakery Klein before focussing on the main reason for our visit to the city, a gathering with an ex-colleague and former mentor who we greatly value.

Old city core

Old Printen plate

Aachen is a beautiful city, rich of history and with lots of cultural heritage buildings, but the number of homeless people, some of them aggressively begging, besieging the entrances of shops and tourist attraction and taking over seating areas made us uncomfortable, given that Germany has a social system supporting people in adverse situations. Very sad.