Special features of Aachen
Aachen Buschtunnel
With this 691 meter long railway tunnel, Aachen has the oldest still used railway tunnel in Germany. It was created between 1838 and 1843. According to naturegnosis, Aachen is a city located in Germany bordering with Belgium and the Netherlands.
Aachen-Lütticher-Barock
This Baroque and Rococo architectural style, also known as the Couven style, goes back to the master builder Johann Josef Couven (1701-1763), who influenced Aachen with his buildings at the beginning of the 18th century that people has devised a completely new architectural name for the city. Important building projects included the baroque extension of the Aachen town hall.
Aachener Printen
The city’s biggest culinary specialty is of course the famous Aachener Printe. It is a gingerbread biscuit that is mixed with all kinds of (secret) spices. The selection ranges from chocolate, honey and princess to herb prints and is commonly divided into hard and soft prints.
Aachen symbolism, Klenkesdenkmal
When Aacheners met in the world, they identified themselves by means of a clear symbolism: the outstretched little finger. At the time of the flourishing needle industry in Aachen, this was used for the final inspection so that defective needles “uuszeklenke” were notched out. This custom is also called Klenkes, which is also reminiscent of the Klenkes monument created in 1970 by Hubert Löneke in Aachen. So when someone shows you the little finger, it doesn’t always have to be offensive.
Bathing and health resort
Aachen owes much of its fame to the numerous thermal springs that made the city an excellent bathing and health resort even in Roman times. However, the city only became a real fashion spa in the 17th and 18th centuries, because it was increasingly sought out by important rulers and celebrities. Today’s urban area of Aachen has over 20 thermal water springs. These have an outlet temperature of over 50 ° C and in Aachen-Burtscheid even up to 74 ° C.
Carolus Thermen Bad Aachen In
2001 the Carolus Thermen Bad Aachen were opened. These are probably the most modern and magnificent thermal baths in all of Europe. In the first three years they were already visited by around 1.5 million people.
European City
Aachen is a true European city because it brings together important lines of communication within European history. Be it that Aachen functioned as the coronation city of the German kings until the first half of the 16th century, be it that it can be regarded as the city of Charlemagne (especially with reference to his imperial palace) or that it is a important awards such as the Aachen Charlemagne Prize – their importance in the overall historical view of Europe should not be underestimated
Casino, classic game
Aachen has two casinos, one for “classic games” such as Roulette, Black Jack and American Roulette. You can find it as follows:
Monheimsallee 44
52062 Aachen
www.casino-aachen.de
Machine
casino in Kapuziner Karree The second casino offers slot machines, bingo, multi roulette, poker and one-armed bandits. You can find it as follows:
Alter Posthof 12
52062 Aachen
www.casino-aachen.de
Celebrations and events
Aachen Peace Prize
see World Day of Peace
Aachen Carnival
www.aak-aachen.de
Alongside Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz, Aachen is the fourth most important carnival stronghold. Around 50 carnival societies are organized here and, like every year, celebrate the carnival from November 11th. at 11:11.
Awarding of the order against the seriousness of the animal
This order is awarded annually by the Aachen Carnival Association during the carnival days to personalities who are said to have demonstrated “humor in office”. The medal was first awarded in 1950 to a British military prosecutor who released a man from prison during Carnival time after he had been told that Carnival was the highest public holiday in Aachen. The prisoner had previously beaten an occupation soldier.
Aachen Theater
Day On this day in August, the Aachen theater and various theater groups present themselves with information stands in the city theater and open the new season.
Aachen Christmas Market
The Christmas market takes place from November 23rd to December 23rd. and between the cathedral and the town hall. With this location, it is considered one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.
ATG winter run of the Aachener Turngemeinde
Every 3rd Sunday in December the 18 kilometer long ATG winter run of the Aachener Turngemeinde takes place.
Domspringen
This is a pole vault competition that takes place between Aachen Cathedral and the town hall.
Feuerzangenbowle
This is a very loving custom that takes place every year in the middle of November. On this day there will be a screening of the popular comedy classic “Die Feuerzangenbowle” with Heinz Rühmann and others in the RWTH (= university). Then you invite to public and private parties and let the cinematic staged drink flow freely.
Sanctuary
tour to the Marian shrine www.aachendom.de
www.aachener-dommusik.de/index1-0.aspx
The Marian shrine of the Aachen Cathedral, constructed in 1239, stands behind the altar. In it lie the four Aachen sanctuaries (the alleged diaper and loincloth of Jesus Christ as well as the decapitation cloth of John the Baptist and the robe of Mary). They are shown to pilgrims from all over the world every seven years. The last time this happened was in 2007, from June 1st to June 10th, so that the next exhibition won’t take place again until 2014. Incidentally, the sanctuaries were shown for the first time in 1349.
International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen
www.karlspreis.de
This important order is awarded annually on Ascension Day and is intended to honor people who have made a special contribution to European unification.
Jewish Culture Days in the Rhineland
www.aachen.de/DE/kultur_freizeit/aktuell/juedische_kulturtage.html
Aachen already took part in this large-scale program in 2002, but will do it again in March 2007. At this time, encounters between Jewish and non-Jewish worlds arise the program.
Cultural summer
On the occasion of this event, numerous events take place every year between June and September. Concerts, theater performances, literary contributions, films, etc. are staged and questions about art and culture are debated.
Lousberglauf
hochschulsport.rwth-aachen.de/standard/index.php?seiteninhalt=../include/events/lbl.inc
This fun run has been held annually in July for 20 years. It will be held over a distance of 5,555 meters around the Lousberg. Around 2,000 participants take part in this sporting event every year.
Öcher Bend
www.aachen.de/DE/stadt_buerger/aachen_profil/bedeutende_ereignisse/oecher_bend
The Aachen fair is celebrated twice a year (spring and summer) on the 40,000 m2 Aachen Bendplatz. In addition, the square is transformed into the purest hype.
Skate Nights
Every year in the summer there are events on several evenings where skaters, roller skaters, etc. drive through Aachen and the surrounding area.
Open Monument
Day www.tag-des-offenen-denkmals.de
This event takes place annually on the second Sunday in September. It is intended to make the population aware of the importance of cultural heritage.
Dance sport
weekend Tanzen im Dreiländereck (dancing in the 3LE) This major event extends over two days in which cross-border dance sport tournaments and large evening events are offered.
Unicup ice
hockey tournament The popular ice hockey tournament takes place every December and is held between the RWTH Faculties of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Medicine.
hochschulsport.rwth-aachen.de/standard/index.php?seiteninhalt=../include/events/eishockeycup.inc
Walter Hasenclever Literature Prize
This prize, endowed with 20,000 euros, is awarded every year in Aachen.
World
Day of Peace (or Anti-War Day ) – Aachen Peace Prize This memorial day on September 1st applies to all those who have contributed to an understanding between peoples and people in the interpersonal area. On this day you will be honored with the Aachen Peace Prize.
Other notable festivals and events in Aachen are:
- Aachen Bach Days (November)
- Aachen cultural summer, with renowned musicians from all branches of music
- Aachen Night of Open Churches
- Euregio Economic Show (spring)
- Jazz Festival (spring)
- Long Night of Museums
- Architecture day