Aachen (Germany): general description and attractions

Aachen (Germany) is a small town, which is located next to the Dutch and Belgian border. In the eighth century it became the capital of the empire of Charlemagne. It is thanks to this man that many unique sights have appeared here. In addition, it went down in history as the residence of emperors and kings, as well as the meeting place of the Reichstagen and the coronation.

general description

As already mentioned above, the city of Aachen (Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands) is located on the border of the three European states. On its outskirts there is even a symbolic column belonging simultaneously to these three countries. The first settlement in this place appeared in the Roman era. About two thousand years ago people were attracted by mineral springs located here. Currently, the local population is slightly more than 260 thousand inhabitants. It should be noted that here is the center of the Coal Basin. Aachen is divided into an old inner and new outer city. Local attractions attract millions of tourists from all over the world every year. They will be discussed in more detail later.

The First Treasure

Although Aachen (Germany) and never wore the status of the capital of the state, he still played a very important role, especially under Charlemagne. When he became emperor, here was completed the construction of a huge palace complex, the area of which was more than twenty hectares. It is considered one of the most ancient pilgrimage sites in Aachen. Karl has played a very important role in the history of the city and has done many glorious deeds for his good, so the locals greatly respect him. Here, in the chapel, he is buried. Since 936, all the German rulers were crowned precisely in the territory of this complex. A person who did not pass this procedure here had no right to receive from the hands of the Pope the imperial crown.

Chapel

The chapel in Aachen began to be built according to the idea of Charlemagne in 796 by the architect Odon Metzsky. Eight years later, it was consecrated by Pope Leo the Third. Later, the temple was repeatedly expanded and changed. This process lasted until the eighteenth century. In the lower part of it there is a square that is a symbol of the material circle and signifies the number 4. The round part of the chapel symbolizes the Holy Trinity and the figure 3. Thus, a magical "seven" is formed in the team, which provides a good spiritual and material life. In the upper part there is also an octagon, which in its inverted form symbolizes infinity and spiritual harmony. Due to the fact that the temple was being built after the Romanesque period, its external style is Gothic.

She-wolf

There is a belief that a bronze wolf at the entrance to the temple was brought by Charles to his residence from Rome. Along with this, in historical documents, it is remembered only in 1414. The hole on the chest of the beast gives reason to assume that at one time the she-wolf was used as a constituent part of the fountain. In addition, in the nineteenth century, under unknown circumstances, the left paw was damaged, which was replaced by local sculptors.

Aachen Cones

The next interesting attraction, which the city of Aachen can boast of, is a bronze cone, whose age exceeds the one millennium mark. It is cast as a separate solid object and has an alloy base. On the cone in nine rows there are 129 metal scales. On each of them there are small holes, so, most likely, it was created as a fountain. It should be noted that at the time of antiquity, as well as in the Middle Ages, such sculptures were habitual ornaments in Byzantine cities.

Town Hall

Not far from the Capella is the Town Hall, built at the beginning of the fourteenth century. Its northern facade is decorated with statues of 50 rulers of the country, as well as emperors who came to the coronation in the city of Aachen. Germany, as already mentioned above, owes much to Charlemagne, so it is not surprising that in front of the building in 1620 his monument was erected. The town hall has burned repeatedly over the history of its existence, but it has been constantly rebuilt. The last time it happened in the late nineteenth century. Now there is a museum on the territory of the building.

Completion

These are just some of the famous historical monuments that the German Aachen can boast of. Attractions of this city attract pilgrims from all parts of the world. In addition to the interesting places mentioned above, it is also worth noting the church of Peter and Mary, Panikadilo Barbarossa, Cancer of Charlemagne, Cancer of the Virgin Mary and many others. Whatever it was, the city is also famous for its thermal healing springs, first discovered by the Celts for a century before Christ. They are the hottest in all of Western Europe, and the temperature here ranges from 37 to 77 degrees Celsius.

To summarize, it's safe to call Aachen the perfect place to relax. If in the area of the Town Hall and the Capella tourist life is simply boiling, then on the desert quiet streets you can enjoy an incredible silence to the accompaniment of a glass of German beer and see the real life of this city.