The "Dom" (Cathedral) lies near the top of a steep cobbled hill at the center of the Innenstadt, with "Münsterplatz" (Cathedral Square) on it's south side.

The "Dom" is octagon shaped and inside stands the marble "Kønigsstuhl" (King's Chair) or should we call it what it is Charlemagne's Throne. As I mentioned before, for 600 years the kings of Germany were crowned here until the mid-16th century when Frankfurt ( an upcoming tour) became the country's coronation city. The cathedral stands today, an unusual mixture of Carolingian ~ being the well preserved Dom, Gothic ~ that being the Choir, which was completed in 1414, and baroque ~ which is the Roof, these are all united into a magnificent upward sweep of architecture.

The "Cathedral" holds a share of wealth, such as the Gold Shrine which not only contains the relics of the Emperor Charlegmage but also some of his bones (strange but true), we also have the precious gems-copper studed pulpit of Henry II.

Aachen's significance as a place of pilgrimage began in 1165 when Barbarossa had Charles the Great canonized. Streams of pilgrims travelled to the emperor's grave and the relics he had gathered. From 1349 until today the Aachener pilgrimage has taken place every seven years. People come from all over the world just to view the relics that are on display, such as the napkins and loin-cloth of Christ, Mary's robe and the winding cloth used at the beheading of John the Baptist. These are taken out of Mary's shrine by both a cathedral's clery and a city representative and shown to the pilgrims.

The 14th-century "Rathaus" (Town Hall), was built on the original site of Charlemagne's Palace. Some of the old structure can still be seen at the east side of the hall in the so-called "Granus Tower". The Town Hall faces the Marketplace and is adorned with the statues of 50 German rulers, of which 31 were crowned in Aachen. In the center, standing in relief are the "Majestas Domini" and the two most important men in the Holy Roman Empire, "Charlemagne and Pope Leo III." On the second floor of the "Rathaus" is the double-naved and crossbeamed "Imperial Hall", dating back to 1330, this is where the Coronation Meals took place from 1349 to 1531, this was built as the successor to the "Carolingian Royal Hall". The hall today contains exact replicas of the "Imperial Crown Jewel", true in size and material to the originals presently in the Vienna Secular Treasury (what a beauty). On the walls are the Charlemagne Frescos, painted in the 19th-century, which illustrates the victory of the Christian Franks over the Germanic Heathens.

The "Couven Museum" located on the "Hühnermarkt", is a lovely rococo residence filled with elegant household furnishings from the 1600 and 1700s. Great place for you antique lovers.(something we could never afford, well at least I couldn't :-))

The "Suermondt-Ludwig Museum" on Wilhelstrasse offers an impressive collection of Medieval German Sculpture -- one of the finest in the land. It has some exceptional art such as: "Madonna in Robes" from 1420, and a "Virgin and Child" from the 14th-century. You should really take a tour through all, it is well worth the time even if you are not a history buff..

"Spa's and Springs"

"Aachen", also has its history in water, as the name Aquisgranum or the french expression Aix-la-Chapelle already says. Today bubbling water illustrates the city's joy of life and accompanies the visitors throughout the town. Fountains and statues, bronze-cast legends and stories tell about the characteristic features of Aachen.There are also many thermal and sulphurous springs in Aachen with higly estimated healing powers, the city is known for it's fashionable spas and countless visitors come here to seek healing and relief of illnesses such as rheumatism, gout and sciatica. The "Spa of Aachen" offers visitors several baths, spa gardens and a wide range of relaxation and recreational facilities. Have to say though, sometimes the water smells like rotten eggs, but, it's good for what ails you. The "Elisenbrunnen", is where you will find drinking water. (doesn't taste very good, if you know what I mean :-))

"Shopping in the Heart of the City"

If you like to shop you will find many original and unusual objects that have maintained the fascination of the past. What makes the city so charming is the variety of shops surrounded by historical sights and cultural settings, you will find every manner of rare curiosities, an exploration is well worth your while. This would also include the many coffee shops and restaurants which offer something for everyone's taste buds and eyes, located inside and outside, take a little beer break while shopping or drink a cappuchino with lots of whipped cream, makes shopping such fun and you won't gain any weight, with all that shopping :-).

Speaking of shopping, going to the downtown area is a real joy, you do not have to worry about cars or their fumes, that's right folks, in Aachen the pedestrians have priority. So, sitting and enjoying the many outside cafe's surrounded by sparkling fountains and cobblestone streets just enhances the enjoyment. There are many quaint little shops, even some bigger ones, but, what you will not find here are shopping malls, they just don't exist, and due to the cities location near the borders, there are many foreign visitors, which alone carries with it a certain flair, let me tell you this is a great place for people watchers, the variety in people is never ending.

"Fairs and Markets"

The people of Aachen just love and enjoy their many markets and fairs. In the summer/spring and fall you will find alot of diverse and huge Flea Markets, (they do not have open rummage sales, like we do in the states) that last the whole weekend. Arts & Crafts can't be forgotten, but, the biggest and best is the Christmas Fair. It is held in front of the Town Hall at the market square, all lid up with Christmas lights, and it is located right in the heart of the city (downtown), you can smell the traditional Christmas bakery of "Printen"(we eat them year round) and the smell of mulled claret is in the air as well (great for those cold wintery days). The many stands with their carvings, the candle stands, and many many more. The Christmas Fair brings people from all over Germany to shop, and admire the huge Christmas trees, the lights which throw a beautiful shine on the Town Hall and we cannot forget the many carollers on street corners, this is something that should not be missed if you are visiting during the holidays.

"Historic Restaurants & Pubs"

The historical restaurants and pubs located in the town square make for cultivated eating and drinking. Such as the historic restaurant "Postwagen Inn" built in 1657, with it's vaulted ceilings and rustic wooden tables and benches it is located at the side of the town hall or how about the "Hühnerdiebbrunnen" alot of history here. On the other side of the square we have what we call the "Gold Strip" it is a row of old, dark-wood bars and restaurants with names like "Golden Swan", "Golden Unicorn", "Golden Chain" last but not least the "Goldener Apfelbaum", besides being able to have the best beer, you can also learn it's history, it is really facsinating, stop in even if it's just for the beer :-), in the summer and spring you can sit outside and enjoy those cold beers. Oh yes, we can't forget that good old German beer, but remember, it is in no way comparable to US beer, for one, a good beer takes about 7 minutes, but let me tell you that's a beer. I have seen many a tourist fall off of a barstool, thinking ah what's to this beer. In comparison let's take one six pack to 2-3 German beers, if you are not used to them, you will be on the floor looking up instead of down. So, if you're in Germany watch your beers, but make sure you have one. To that I say "PROST". (boy, sure wish I had one :-) my favorite is what they call a "Schuß", it is a mixture of a light beer, I mean in color and Malz which is a dark beer, also called Mother's-Milk (Malt-sweet beer, no alcohol in this one, but who needs it, the light colored beer has enough to make up for it :-)) GOOD STUFF!! Oh, how I miss you!!, and I don't even like beer :-) You know that it's very rare a German who doesn't like beer, it's kinda like a fish without water LOL. A friend of mine brought over some beer the other night, it's called Salavtor, Double Bock, it tastes just like that, it's great. I don't know why, but I just thought I'd throw that in :-).

"The Cultural Side"

The cultural aspect does not fall short either, with it's many theaters, open air concerts and yes, even a Casino, which is just beautiful inside and out. This is of course a place where on weekends the nightlife takes over and the place to be seen, in the casino is a nightclub, called "Club Zero", which is in the elegant setting of black pillars and mirrors, they are only open on Friday and Saturday nights, a drink will cost you around $10, (who could afford to go more often) there are also 2 restaurants of which one is the "The Gala" (very expensive), but also the city's finest and one of the top culinary establishments in Germany. You will also find two rooms with the notorious one-armed bandits, the main part to the casino, has Black-Jack, Poker, Baccara & Roulette tables, so if you like to gamble while sipping on a glass of Champagne, (complimentary) this is the place to go, it is open until 3 a.m., but please, suit, tie and passport is a requirement, as in almost any casino in Europe and it costs about $5 just to get in, that's normal though.

There is also a wide variety of theatrical and musical life in Aachen; large and small theater, Opera, concerts, pantomime, ballet and dialect plays in the "Oecher Schångchen" which offers a wide cultural program, and of course we mustn't forget the children's theater.

"Sports"

For you sports fans out there, you guessed it no football or baseball, the game of soccer is enjoyed here. The Germans are as crazy about their soccer as the Americans their football/baseball. Soccer in German is called "Fußball", but, like I said nothing to do with football, but, that would be the translation of it. Germany has some great teams, one of them being "Alemania Aachen". I have noticed over the past few years that the game is starting to be enjoyed in the states as well. So, check it out the next time there is a game on tv or maybe even a live game. To me though, it's missing that great action that you find in a good football game, do to the fact that I lived in Milwaukee, WI for quite some time, I've become a diehard Packer fan, and never really got into soccer but, still check it out, you may be surprised. I must add one thing to this, when I left Germany in 1993, football as we know it had just started in Germany, I think it was in Frankfurt.

"Karnival"~~~"Alaf Oche"

Now, to my favorite "KARNEVAL" (Mardi Gras). If you have never experienced Karneval anywhere you just don't know what you're missing. It officially starts on 11/11 at 11:11, but the real festivities start on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, It's a time where people dress up in costumes and party 5 days straight. It's usually in February, but it always starts at 11:11 a.m. at the Market Square with "Alt Weiber Nacht", translated word for word "Old Women's Night", take my word for it, it has absolutely nothing to do with old women. It's just that the womem at the markt dress up in old time appearel, and take you back in time with their clothing. (I myself, have never seen so many women gather in one place) Of course, the men are out and about too, if you are a male and you are wearing a tie, it will most likely get cut off, this is an old tradition in both Aachen and Cologne. Everyone, during this time is very carefree and happy (and how). After the parade, it's time to go from bar to bar, (whether you drink or not), singing, dancing and kissing strangers in the streets, and all anyone cares about is having a good time. The drinks during this great time of festivity usually consists of a shot and a beer, there is no time for mixed drinks, you sing, lock arms and sway back and forth and dance your way to another place. There are no rules during the Karneval season, you do what your little heart desires, it is such fun. (I think, many a marriage, may have ended during Karneval and November is the highest birth rate month, so what does that tell you :-)). Like I said, it's 5 days of drinking and partying, letting your hair down and doing what you want to do. The Germans who are usually very business like, totally change, it is just amazing to see the transition, all that matters is having a good time. On that Saturday, there are balls everywhere, with people dressed in beautiful costumes and dancing the night away. Then Sunday starts off with a parade for the kids, with decorated wagons with themes just for the children, marching bands and kids dressed in all sorts of costumes, it is really great to see, there are children of all ages, from babies in decorated baby-carriges to older ones singing and dancing and marching to the karneval music and yelling Kamelle (which is candy they throw off the wagons into to the crowds). Then, on Monday it's the parade for the adults, but, always there are young and old alike, enjoying themselves with food and drink, singing and dancing, kissing and hugging, it is such a carefree time and enjoyed by all, it is kinda hard to explain, but, take my word for it is definitely something all should experience, at least once in their lifetime. It all comes to an end on Ash Wednesday with a fish fry, although preparations are already being made for the next year.

"Where to Stay & Where to Dine"

"Aachen" has some beautiful Hotels, which I will mention here, most of them also have a historical background.
There is the Steigenberger Hotel "Quellenhof", this hotel is true to spa tradition, it is stately and elegent, with a large indoor thermal pool overlooked by picture windows that allow a view of the garden. A room here will run you about $100 up to $200 a night. It's worth the money to stay just one night, (just alone for the pampering you'll get), it is just beautiful and a few steps down the street is the Casino.

"Aqua Grana City Hotel" on Büchel & Buchkramerstrasse, it is located right downtown, rooms here will run from $85 to $150.

"Novotel" located at the Europaplatz, Joseph-von-Gørresstrasse, very nice, very modern cost per night $89 to $120, this includes breakfast.

Some of the other hotels are: "Hotel Krott", "Hotel Buschhausen", "Hotel Royal", these prices range from $60 to $100 a night. Then we have the ones I can afford :-). "Hotel Benelux", "Hotel Baccara", "Hotel Danica" and "Am Marshiertor", located in a beautiful and historical part of town. The price ranges on those, are $50 to $100 a night.

Here are some of the wonderful restaurants you should visit while here: "Gala", "Ratskeller", "LeBecasse", "Elisenbrunnen", "Schloss Friesenrath" and "St. Benedikt". Prices in these range anywhere from $30 to $100.

Well, I hope you enjoyed yourself and that you will join me on my next little tour to the beautiful city situated on the Rhine River of Koeln (Cologne), then unto Düsseldorf, (under construction) and further to München (Munich) the home of "OKTOBERFEST" and if your still sober enough, we will visit "Mozart's Home", Salzburg, Austria and the beautiful ski resort "Zell am See". Again, thank you for joining me and keep your eye out for the next tour.

Tschüß - for now, and have a wonderful day, and, don't forget KEEP SMILING :-). It would be greatly appreciated if you would sign my guestbook and give me your opinion of this little trip you took, thanks.