Aachen Mini Guide
Aachen is the most westerly city of Germany and it is located near to the border with Belgium and Holland. Part of the region of North Rhine West Phalia, Aachen is a historic city with a picturesque appearance. Kings of Germany have been coronated here and it is the principal residence of Charlemagne - Charles the Great. Many people come here for the healing properties of the hot waters. The population here are known for being laid back and relaxed. It is also a great place to stroll down tree-lined boulevards and see impressive buildings like the cathedral. It is a Catholic region with a great carnival. Rhino Car Hire Aachen is available cheaply here and you can get a hatchback or saloon for a mere 15 pounds daily. With a car you can drive to Cologne in only 40 minutes or so. Also check whether or not you can make a drive across the border to neighbouring Holland or Belgium. Rhino is one of the only companies can allow you to make one way journeys without having to pay extra for the privilege. The main roads are the A544, the A4 which goes from West to East and the A44 which goes from North to South. The main airports here are the Cologne airport, the Dusseldorf airport and the Maastricht Aachen airport, all of which we can rent cars at. The city was heavily attacked during the Second World War but most of the important buildings survived.
Aachen (Aix la Chapelle) is a west German city near the junction of the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands, about 70 km (43 miles) west of Bonn. It was the capital of Charlemagne, the Frankish King from AD768 to 814, who conquered most of Europe and was crowned first Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome in 800. The emperor's marble throne and a gold bust containing his relics are in the Aachen Cathedral, built around the chapel which gives the city its French name.
Aachen is a university city and spa, and its springs, the hottest in Europe, were used by the Romans. Aachen possesses numerous engineering and food processing industries and hosts international horse trials.