Explore the historic city centre of beautiful Aachen in Germany
and visit the Cathedral
Explore Aachen during your stay at Dormio Resort Maastricht
- Historic city centre with great shopping streets and beautiful buildings
- Only 40 minutes by car from the resort
- One of the most impressive treasuries in Europe
- Beautiful Coronation Hall with frescos from 1330
The old German city of Aachen is only a 40-minute drive from Dormio Resort Maastricht. Its location close to the Dutch border makes Aachen a very popular destination for a city trip during your stay in Maastricht. The places of interest described below act like a magnet for day trippers. Plenty of reasons to visit this small German city!
The first German historic building: the Cathedral in Aachen
The Cathedral on Münsterplatz in Aachen was built between 796 and 804 on the initiative of Charlemagne. Its design was inspired by the churches of the eastern part of the Holy Roman Empire. It was the first German historic building to be added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. Inside the Cathedral you will find the graves of Charlemagne and Otto III.
The impressive Cathedral Treasury
The Cathedral Treasury can be found in Johannes-Paul-II-Strasse; it is one of the most beautiful and most impressive church treasuries in Europe. It has a stunning interior. A unique element is the Carolingian Palatine Chapel with the cast-iron choir screen. The dome is adorned by a unique, impressive 12th-century candelabrum. It was a gift from Frederick Barbarossa. The church also has a scale model of the fountain in St Peter’s Square. The Cathedral features several bronze Carolingian doors, including the Wolf’s Door.
Aachen Town Hall
Aachen Town Hall is situated on the Market, opposite the Cathedral. The façade is richly adorned and includes sculptures of German emperors and kings and coats of arms. Inside you will find several beautiful halls, including the Coronation Hall from 1330, which is adorned by frescos.
Historic inner city of Aachen
For many people, the historic inner city is one of the main reasons for visiting Aachen. The Charlemagne Route is a historic route through the city. It takes you to a large number of beautiful buildings, like Haus Löwenstein, a former dwelling and lodging house, and Büchelpalais, which functioned as the grain store of Aachen until 1752.
Aachen: a great shopping destination
The most important shopping streets in Aachen are situated in the area around the Cathedral and the Town Hall. The largest and most important shopping street in Aachen is Adalbertkirchestrasse. All the large store chains can be found in this street and its side streets. Would you rather go to the smaller boutiques and restaurants? In that case, Annastrasse and Kramerstrasse are the places to go!
Mineral sources of Aachen
Aachen has been permanently inhabited since the Roman occupation. The Romans discovered sulphur-rich mineral springs and canalised the water to medicinal baths. The hot water contains valuable minerals that help cure various diseases. The Elisenbrunnen in Aachen city centre are open to the public (no charge). The hot sulphurous water spouts from the wall. You can see on the walls which emperors, kings and other famous people have preceded you.
Stay near Aachen at Dormio Resort Maastricht
Combine your relaxed stay at Dormio Resort Maastricht with a visit to the city of Aachen. A stay in one of the luxury holiday homes for 2 to 20 guests will make your visit to this beautiful area an unforgettable one. Need some extra relaxation? Book a luxury Wellness home with your own hot tub and private sauna. During your stay, the extensive facilities will also help you relax. They include various eating places, a bike rent shop and a luxury spa and wellness centre.