Eschweiler: Lake, Remembrance and Fastelovend

At Blaustein Lake, Eschweiler combines nature-based recreation with remembrance of places that had to make way for lignite mining. There is also Eischwiele Fastelovend: Carnival has been celebrated in Eschweiler for almost 170 years. The landscape, history and customs offer you different starting points for planning your trip.

Blaustein Lake: Recreation and Remembrance

Blaustein Lake is a local recreation area created in the former “Zukunft West” lignite mining region. It offers opportunities for water sports, hiking, cycling and enjoying nature. The Blausteinsee recreation centre also offers diving, sailing, surfing and a bathing beach. If you plan to take advantage of these activities, check the current conditions before your visit.

The Historic Hiking Trail O at Blaustein Lake offers a special perspective on the landscape. This 14.3-kilometre memorial trail leads to former villages that had to make way for lignite mining. Its length and subject make it an opportunity to combine exercise with a look at the region’s past. Signage and trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.

For a shorter route, the WasserWeg Blausteinsee is a 5.2-kilometre themed circular trail that starts and ends at the Dürwiß-Blausteinsee car park. Within the wider Aachen city region destination, the circular trail offers a different route length from the 14.3-kilometre Historic Hiking Trail O. Comparing the two can help with planning without making assumptions about walking time or difficulty.

Eischwiele Fastelovend

Carnival, known in Eschweiler as “Eischwiele Fastelovend”, has a long tradition: it has been celebrated there for almost 170 years. Starting on 11 November, 22 carnival societies usher in the carnival season with hundreds of events in halls and tents. The customs therefore include many events throughout the season, as well as its grand finale.

On Rose Monday, the Rose Monday parade winds for almost six kilometres through the streets and lanes of the town on the Inde. Around 6,500 revellers and approximately 250 vehicles accompany the parade, which is considered the highlight of each carnival season. The approximate figures give an idea of the parade’s scale; specific details may vary.

A tour of the Eschweiler Carnival Museum showcases the carnival traditions of Eschweiler and Stolberg. The orders from both towns are also part of the exhibition: around 3,000 from Eschweiler and around 2,000 from Stolberg. The approximate collection figures may change over time. The tour thus brings together the carnival traditions of both towns without equating them.

Historic Places and Culture

In Eschweiler-Weisweiler, the remains of the former moated castle Burg Weisweiler are right next to the Catholic parish church of St. Severin. The site offers another point of historical interest in the city. The former Neoclassical “Eschweiler-Tal” railway station building has been a cultural hub in Eschweiler since November 1994. Its programme includes locally and regionally focused events, as well as a forum for nationally and internationally renowned artists who perform regularly.

These highlights give your planning a direction without requiring you to focus on just one facet of Eschweiler.

The Aachen City Region in a Wider Context

The Aachen city region lies in the three-country border area in Germany’s far west, close to the Netherlands and Belgium. In Aachen, the Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne forms the core of the cathedral. The cathedral has retained its role as a church and as the most important pilgrimage site north of the Alps. In addition to experiences in Eschweiler, the Aachen city region therefore offers a distinct historical highlight.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Baesweiler, Aachen, Simmerath, Stolberg, Rurberg, Erkensruhr, Roetgen, Alsdorf.

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