Aachen: Cathedral, Old Town and Museums
Accommodation in Aachen
Aachen combines a long history with a variety of cultural perspectives. To decide whether the city is right for your stay, it is worth exploring the cathedral, the different museum themes and the bathing culture. Medieval history, historical everyday culture and contemporary art shape different sides of the city. When planning a hotel stay, it helps to consider which of these aspects you would like to focus on.
The Cathedral and Aachen’s History
Charlemagne was buried in Aachen Cathedral in 814. In the Middle Ages, the cathedral was the site of the coronation of German emperors until 1531. These two historical roles also differ in their timescales: the burial refers to a specific year, while the coronation function refers to a longer medieval period.
The Cathedral Treasury showcases more than twelve centuries of sacred art that has shaped Aachen Cathedral since the time of Charlemagne. This long art-historical arc complements the cathedral’s clearly dated historical roles.
Museums with Different Perspectives
The Couven Museum offers a glimpse into the everyday life of Aachen’s upper middle class from the Rococo to the Biedermeier period. The Centre Charlemagne – New City Museum Aachen – divides its exhibition into four eras. The difference lies in their respective approaches: the Couven Museum brings the way of life of a social group into view, while the Centre Charlemagne organizes its exhibition by era. The Ludwig Forum presents international contemporary art in a former umbrella factory. The contrast between contemporary art and the building’s former use as a factory creates a different cultural accent from the historical everyday world.
The Old Town and Getting Around
Aachen Cathedral stands in the heart of the Old Town; it is about a 15-minute walk from the main train station. Elisenbrunnen is also in the heart of the Old Town and is easy to reach on foot and by bus. These two Old Town destinations offer different points of reference: an approximate walking time from the main train station to the cathedral, and walking and bus travel as options for Elisenbrunnen. Check current services before taking the bus.
Bathing Culture as a Distinctive Feature
The Carolus Thermen combine modern architecture with Aachen’s centuries-old bathing culture. Unlike the historical dates and museum themes, the focus here is on the connection between architectural design and bathing tradition. In this way, bathing culture adds a distinctive cultural accent to the city’s profile.
The Aachen Region as a Regional Framework
The Aachen Region provides a broader regional framework than the city’s individual cultural sites. It lies in Germany’s westernmost reaches, in the Three-Country Corner, and in the immediate vicinity of the Netherlands and Belgium. The Aachen Region brings together diverse natural landscapes, historic town centers, and extensive cycling and hiking infrastructure to form a cohesive region. These regional themes add another perspective to Aachen’s urban cultural focus.
Discover more destinations: Brand, Vetschau, KornelimĂĽnster, Eschweiler, Monschau, Alsdorf, Lammersdorf, Stolberg.
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