Discover Aachen: Cathedral History and Art

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. Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel forms the core of the cathedral; at the same time, it has retained its role as a church and as the most important place of pilgrimage north of the Alps. The Cathedral Treasury presents more than twelve centuries of sacred art that has shaped the cathedral since the time of Charlemagne. Together, these themes trace a path from the Carolingian era through medieval coronations to an art collection built up over centuries.

The cathedral stands in the heart of the Old Town, 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 or by bus. If you plan to take the bus, check the latest services before your journey. This information gives you a clear point of reference for planning a stay in Aachen.

Museums from Historical Eras to the Present

The Centre Charlemagne is Aachen’s new city museum. Its exhibition is divided into four eras and traces the city’s history from its settlement to the present day. The Couven Museum brings everyday life among Aachen’s upper middle class from the Rococo period to the Biedermeier period to life. The two museums thus focus on the city’s history and historical ways of life from different perspectives.

The Ludwig Forum offers a different perspective on time: international contemporary art is displayed there in a former umbrella factory. The former factory building and today’s art exhibitions come together in one place. When deciding what interests you, this means that, alongside the cathedral’s history, Aachen also offers museum topics ranging from historical everyday life to contemporary art.

Bathing Culture and Getting Your Bearings in the City

The Carolus Thermen combine modern architecture with Aachen’s centuries-old bathing culture. Elisenbrunnen is a neoclassical colonnaded building, designed by Johann Peter Cremer and Karl Friedrich Schinkel, that reflects Aachen’s long bathing tradition. The two places offer different experiences: one combines modern architecture with bathing culture, while the other is a neoclassical building with historical significance. This is another way to explore the city through its long bathing history.

Then choose your search location based on the places you actually want to include in your plans.

The Wider Travel Destination of the Aachen Region

The Aachen Region is in the far west of Germany, in the tri-border area near the Netherlands and Belgium. It encompasses a range of natural landscapes and historic town centres, as well as an extensive network of cycling and hiking routes. This regional perspective extends beyond the city of Aachen without presenting its different places and landscapes as a single urban experience.

One example in the Aachen Region is the Blausteinsee Water Trail: This themed circular route is 5.2 kilometres long and starts and ends at the Dürwiß-Blausteinsee car park. Blausteinsee Leisure Centre offers diving, sailing, surfing and a beach. This regional example brings together a signposted circular route and a range of water activities.

The Aachen Region offers a different seasonal experience in April: millions of wild daffodils then transform the valley meadows in the Perlenbach and Fuhrtsbach valleys near Monschau-Höfen into a sea of yellow flowers. At this time, you can take a guided hike or explore the area on your own. Check conditions and available guided tours before your trip. This makes it possible to take different regional interests and travel dates into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Vetschau, Brand, Kornelimünster, Simmerath, Hahn, Stolberg, Rurberg, Monschau

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