Aachen

Aachen is the 13th-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia and the 27th-largest city in Germany, home to around 261,000 people. It is Germany’s westernmost major city, located about 61 kilometers west of Cologne and close to the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands.

The city has a long and rich history, beginning as a Celtic settlement and developing into an important Roman town because of its warm Aachen thermal springs. It later became a key place for the Frankish Empire, where Charlemagne built his palace. Many Holy Roman Emperors were crowned in Aachen before coronations moved to Frankfurt.

Today, Aachen is known for its famous university, the RWTH Aachen University, and its advanced technology industries. The city is also famous for its delicious Aachener Printen, a special kind of gingerbread, and for its lively carnival celebrations.

Etymology

The name Aachen comes from old words meaning "water" or "stream". It started with the Latin name Aquae, referring to the warm mineral springs in the area. People have lived there for about 5,000 years because of these special springs.

After Charlemagne built his palatine chapel there, the city became known as Aix-la-Chapelle to distinguish it from another place called Aix-en-Provence. Today, it has many names in different languages.

History

Further information: Timeline of Aachen

See also: Free Imperial City of Aachen

Early history

Flint quarries on the Lousberg, Schneeberg, and Königshügel, first used during Neolithic times (3000–2500 BC), show that people lived in Aachen a long time ago. During the Iron Age, Celtic people lived in the area, attracted by the marshy basin’s hot sulphur springs where they worshipped Grannus, a god of light and healing.

The Romans built a spa town called Aquae Granni around 124 AD. They added baths, water pipelines, and a temple. Later, as the Roman Empire fell apart, the town was taken over by the Ripuarian Franks.

Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, Aachen became very important. Charlemagne chose it as his main home and built a grand palace and church there. Many kings and emperors were crowned in Aachen. The city also had a Jewish community and was a center for making important books.

16th–18th centuries

In the 16th century, Aachen began to lose its power. Wars and fires damaged the city. It became known for its hot springs and spas. Important treaties were signed there, shaping the history of Europe.

19th century

When France took over Aachen, it was later given to Prussia. The city grew with new railways and factories. But living conditions were very bad until new housing was built.

20th century

World War I, Interwar Period, World War II

Aachen was involved in both World Wars. During World War II, it was heavily bombed and later became the first German city captured by Allied forces.

Postwar Periode

After World War II, Aachen became part of West Germany. It developed into a technology center, especially known for its university, the RWTH Aachen.

Geography

Aachen is found in the middle of the Meuse–Rhine Euroregion, close to where Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium meet. Nearby towns include Vaals in the Netherlands, just 6 kilometers away, and Heerlen and Eupen around 20 kilometers away. The city sits near the valley of the Wurm river and close to the High Fens and the Eifel hills.

Aachen has a temperate climate with mild winters and warm summers. It gets more rain than some other German cities because of its location and surrounding hills. The city's weather is also affected by warm winds called Foehn winds. Despite being in Germany, Aachen's winters are milder than places farther east because of its closeness to the sea.

Geology

The geology of Aachen is very varied. The oldest rocks around the city come from the Devonian period and include types like sandstone, greywacke, claystone, and limestone. These rocks are part of the Rhenish Massif. Later, during the Cretaceous period, the ocean reached this area, leaving behind clay, sand, and chalk. These materials formed the hills of the Aachen Forest and the Lousberg.

Aachen has many thermal springs along old fault lines, and the area has experienced earthquakes due to active faults, such as the one in 1992.

Demographics

Aachen had 245,885 inhabitants as of December 31, 2015. Of these, 118,272 were female and 127,613 were male.

By the end of 2009, foreign-born residents made up 13.6 percent of the city's population, with many being students at the RWTH Aachen University. The local dialect, known as Öcher Platt, belongs to the Ripuarian language group and is located at the western end of the Benrath line, which separates High German from other West Germanic languages.

Boroughs

Aachen is divided into seven administrative districts, or boroughs. Each borough has its own local council and leader. These districts are further divided into smaller areas for statistical purposes.

The districts of Aachen include:

• Aachen-Mitte
• Brand
• Eilendorf
• Haaren
• Kornelimünster/Walheim
• Laurensberg
• Richterich

Each district contains several neighbourhoods and communities. For example, Aachen-Mitte includes areas like Beverau, Bildchen, and Burtscheid. Other districts have their own unique neighbourhoods as well.

Aachen borders several cities and communities, including Herzogenrath, Würselen, and Eschweiler in Germany, as well as places in Belgium and the Netherlands like Raeren and Kerkrade.

Politics

The current mayor of Aachen is Michael Ziemons of the CDU, who was elected in 2025. The most recent mayoral election took place on 14 September 2025, with a runoff on 28 September.

The Aachen city council works together with the mayor to govern the city. The latest city council election was also held on 14 September 2025.

Main sights

Cathedral

Aachen Cathedral was built by Charlemagne around the year 796. It was one of the largest buildings north of the Alps at the time. The cathedral was modeled after a famous building in Italy and includes many beautiful details like marble walls and mosaics. Charlemagne is buried there, and many important kings and queens were crowned in this cathedral. Today, it is a special place recognized by UNESCO for its importance.

Cathedral Treasury

The cathedral treasury holds special and valuable items used in church services. Some items may have been given by Charlemagne himself, while others came from faraway places like Jerusalem. Over the years, important people added gifts to the treasury, such as crosses, books, and silk fabrics. Today, visitors can see some of these historic treasures.

Rathaus

Aachen's city hall was built in 1330 and is located near two main squares. Inside, there are paintings showing scenes from Charlemagne’s life. The city hall also displays copies of important royal items and has portraits of Napoleon and his wife. Each year, an award called the Charlemagne Prize is given there.

Other sights

The Grashaus is one of the oldest non-church buildings in Aachen and was once the city hall. The Elisenbrunnen is a famous fountain covered by a beautiful hall, just a short walk from the cathedral. Two old city gates, the Ponttor and the Marschiertor, still stand today. Other interesting places include St. Michael’s Church, a Greek Orthodox church known for its great sound for concerts, and several museums such as the Suermondt-Ludwig Museum with its sculpture collection.

Economy

Aachen is an important place for making many different products, such as electrical goods, fine woolen textiles, chocolate, glass, machinery, and furniture. The city also produces chemicals, plastics, and cosmetics.

In recent years, Aachen has become known for making electric vehicles. A small company called StreetScooter started in 2010 to develop electric cars and later became part of DHL Group. Another company, e.GO Mobile, began making electric passenger cars in 2019. These developments show how Aachen is growing in the field of environmentally friendly transportation.

Main article: StreetScooter

Culture

Aachen has a rich cultural history. In 1372, it became the first city in the world to put an Anno Domini date on its coins. The Scotch Club in Aachen was Germany’s first discothèque, opening in 1959.

The city is also known for its special sweet bread called Aachener Printen, which uses sugar syrup instead of honey like other German sweets. Additionally, the thriving black metal scene in Aachen includes popular bands such as Nagelfar and The Ruins of Beverast. An asteroid named 274835 Aachen was named after the city in 2019.

Education

Aachen is home to several important schools and universities. RWTH Aachen University, founded in 1870, is known for its research in technology, including engineering, computer science, and natural sciences. It also has a large hospital and a botanical garden.

Another school, FH Aachen, offers engineering programs and welcomes students from around the world. There is also a Catholic university with programs in social work and nursing, and a music school with a campus in Aachen that helps train performers.

Sports

Aachen is well known for its exciting sports events. Every year, the city hosts the CHIO, a major equestrian competition that is very important in the horse world, similar to how Wimbledon is famous for tennis. Aachen also held the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games.

The city has teams in several sports. Its football team, Alemannia Aachen, played in Germany’s top league for a short time after moving up in 2006 but is now in the third division. The team’s old stadium, Tivoli, opened in 1928 and was loved for its special atmosphere. It was replaced by a new stadium called Neuer Tivoli in 2009. The Ladies in Black women’s volleyball team has been playing in Germany’s top volleyball league since 2008. In 2022, the local basketball club BG Aachen e.V. moved up to the first regional league.

Transport

Aachen's main railway station, the Hauptbahnhof, was built in 1841 and later moved closer to the city center. It connects to cities like Cologne, Mönchengladbach, and Liège, and also serves high-speed trains from Brussels and Paris. There are also smaller stations and bus services that link Aachen to nearby towns and cities.

The city has many bus routes, some reaching into Belgium and the Netherlands. Aachen is linked to major highways and has an airport, Maastricht Aachen Airport, which offers flights to some European destinations. The nearest big international airports are Cologne Bonn Airport and Düsseldorf Airport.

Charlemagne Prize

Main article: Charlemagne Prize

Since 1950, a group of people in Aachen has given out the Charlemagne Prize each year. This award goes to people who have done great work to bring European countries closer together. The prize is usually given on Ascension Day at the City Hall.

Some notable winners include Pope Francis in 2016, U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2000, and Pope John Paul II in 2004, who received a special medal for his efforts to unite Europe.

Literature

Aachen, known as Aix in poetry, is featured in Robert Browning's poem "How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix". This poem, published in Dramatic Romances and Lyrics in 1845, tells the story from the viewpoint of one of three riders on a midnight journey. Their mission is to deliver important news that could change the city's future.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Aachen

Aachen has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Some of these individuals have made important contributions in fields like science, art, and politics. The city continues to attract people from all over the world who bring new ideas and energy to the community.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

Aachen has many friends in other countries, called twin towns or sister cities. Some of these friends are:

• Montebourg, France (since 1960)
• Reims, France (since 1967)
• Halifax, United Kingdom (since 1979)
• Toledo, Spain (since 1985)
• Ningbo, China (since 1986)
• Naumburg, Germany (since 1988)
• Arlington County, United States (since 1993)
• Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey (since 2013)
• Cape Town, South Africa (since 2017)
• Chernihiv, Ukraine (since 2023)

One former friend was Kostroma, Russia, from 2005 until March 2022.