Tourist Attractions in Aachen
Aachen (formerly known by its French name of Aix-la-Chapelle), Germany's most westerly city and historically one of Europe's most important towns, lies near the Dutch and Belgian frontiers in a forest-ringed basin in the foothills of the Eifel and the Ardennes.
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Aachen Cathedral
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aachen Cathedral was completed in 1414. The Cathedral is famed for its windows which depict a post-war German design.
Aachen Zoo
On the south-eastern outskirts of Aachen, in the Drimborner Wäldchen landscape reserve, is Aachen's Zoo.
Aachen's Zoo is home to 1700 animals from over 250 different species.
Aachen's Zoo is home to 1700 animals from over 250 different species.
Hours
March 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
November 1 to February 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Elisenbrunnen
In Friedrich-Wilhelmplatz in Aachen is the Elisenbrunnen, the emblem of Aachen's role as a spa, with the drinking fountain and a colonnade designed by K. F. Schinkel.
Kornelimünster
6km/4mi southeast of the Aachen town center lies the suburb of Kornelimünster, with the Stefanskirche, which dates from Carolingian times, and an old monastery (14th-15th C. church).
Lousberg
On the Lousberg (340 m/1,116ft) in Aachen's Kurbezirk stands the Belvedere revolving tower restaurant, with fine panoramic views.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Ludwig Forum for International Art
Modern art pieces from around the world are displayed at the Ludwig Forum for International Art, designed in the Bauhaus style to resemble a train station.
Municipal Theater
A few paces away from the Elisenbrunnen in Aachen is the Municipal Theater (Stadttheater; 1825; opera, operettas, plays).
Newspaper Museum
The International Newspaper Museum in Aachen contains first and most recent issues of some 100,000 titles.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
Old Kurhaus
Some 500m/550yds northeast of the Elisenbrunnen, in Aachen, is the Old Kurhaus, which now houses the New Gallery and Ludwig Collection (mainly 20th C. art; special exhibitions).
Old Town Hall
The so-called "Grashaus" (1267) is Aachen's earliest town hall, which now houses the municipal archives.
Roman Baths
Where now stands a reproduction of a Roman portico in Aachen, the remains of Roman baths and temples were brought to light in 1967-68.
Spa District
In the north of Aachen are the Eurogress (conference and congress center), housed in the New Kurhaus, and the Kurpark.
There are other spa facilities in the southern district of Burtscheid.
There are other spa facilities in the southern district of Burtscheid.
St Adalbert's Church
At the east end of the pedestrian zone in Aachen is the Kaiserplatz, with St Adalbert's Church.
St Stephen's Church
Stefanskirche in Aachen dates from Carolingian times and has an old monastery (14th-15th C. church).
Suermondt Museum
A little south of Aachen's Kaiserplatz is the Suermondt Museum.
The museum contains German and Flemish paintings from the 18th C. and sculpture from the 12th and 16th centuries.
The museum contains German and Flemish paintings from the 18th C. and sculpture from the 12th and 16th centuries.
Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum
Wilhelmstrasse 18
D-52070 Aachen
Germany
Wilhelmstrasse 18
D-52070 Aachen
Germany
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 21:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Town Gate
At the end of the Ludwigsallee in Aachen rises the frowning Ponttor with its barbican (c. 1320).
Town Hall
In the Marktplatz in Aachen is the Town Hall, built about 1350 on the foundations of the Carolingian imperial stronghold (helm roofs of towers rebuilt in 1979 to a design by Dürer), with its fine Coronation Hall (frescoes on the life of Charlemagne by A. Rethel) and copies of the imperial regalia (orb, sword, crown; originals now in Vienna). To the south of the Town Hall is the Katschhof, marking the site of the Carolingian palace courtyard.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Guided tours available with reservation. Advanced reservations can be made at the tourist office.
Closed for special events.
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
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