Aachen, with its 257,000 residents, is Germany's westernmost city, located just a stone's throw away from Belgium and the Netherlands. The city's history goes back to the Stone Age. Although you won't find any visual evidence from this era, there are still some reminders of Roman times. Ancient buildings, some of which were rebuilt after World War Two, dominate the city center. Small alleyways, aging houses, numerous cafes and shops share space with imposing buildings like the town hall and the cathedral.

"Ahha" or "aqua" = Aachen

The name of the city comes from either the Germanic "ahha" or from the Latin "aqua," both meaning "water." This was due to the local hot springs, as both the Franks and the Romans were very fond of them. Even Charlemagne is believed to have bathed in these curative waters. He felt so content in Aachen that he designated it his favorite place and built a cathedral there.

The big cathedral

The Aachen Cathedral is the city's landmark and dates back to the Carolingian times. Its distinguishing feature is its octagonal dome structure. It is shiny and golden on the inside and, along with the cathedral treasury, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

As the story goes, Charlemagne ran out of money at some point during the building of the cathedral. His solution: a pact with the devil, who allegedly paid for the expensive construction project in exchange for the soul of the first living being that entered the newly-built cathedral. In response, the people of Aachen captured a wolf and let it inside the cathedral as soon as it was finished. The devil had to accept the wolf's soul, which made him so angry that he stormed out of the cathedral, slamming the door shut behind him and losing one of his thumbs in the process. Today, you can still touch the trapped "devil's thumb" inside the lion-head doorknob on the right main portal.

Historic Town Hall

The Aachen Town Hall is one of the most impressive buildings in Aachen. After numerous alterations, it stands today in the neo-Gothic style. Once a year, VIPs from all over the world gather here in the historic coronation hall for the Charlemagne Prize ceremony. This prize has been awarded annually since 1950 to honor people who have contributed to European unity. Former laureates include German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Technologically advanced

Aachen is not only a popular tourist city, but also an important technological and industrial center in Germany. It's a place where engineering technology, automation technology, laser technology and environmental technology are developed, and it plays an important role in the region. Many companies, especially those in the automobile industry, work closely with the RWTH - Aachen's university.

Author: Anna Grabowski