20.10.2018 – A RIDE THROUGH AACHEN, ONCE AQUAE GRANNI

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WE SWING BY FOR A SHORT TIME TO AACHEN, CALLED FOR A LONG TIME AQUAE GRANNI, WHICH FOR CENTURIES WAS A VERY INTERESTING PIECE OF LAND FOR EACH OF THE RULERS OF THE SURROUNDING STATES. TODAY, THE CITY LIES AT THE JUNCTION OF THREE COUNTRIES – BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY.

IF YOU ARRIVE HERE BY CAR, YOU WILL FIND A REASONABLY PRICED PARKING PLACE CLOSE TO THE HISTORICAL CENTRE, LOCATED AT THEATERSTRASSE IN THE AREA OF AQUIS APOTHEKE (NOTE: I AM NOT SURE IT IS VISIBLE ON THE GOOGLE MAP). 24 HOURS PARKING COSTS 4€50 AND THE „NEW” OLD TOWN (THE CITY WAS SOLIDLY DESTROYED DURING WORLD WAR II) IS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED METERS AWAY (CATHEDRAL – 850 m).

THE TOUR IS WORTH STARTING WITH A 2-HOUR HOP ON – HOP OFF SEESIGHTING BUS, CALLED THE CITY TOUR BUS.

SUCH A TRIP WILL ALLOW YOU TO GET TO KNOW THE MOST INTERESTING POINTS OF THE CITY AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. THE VEHICLE STOPS FOR A 20-MINUTE BREAK ON ONE OF THE SURROUNDING HILLS ON BELGIUM / GERMAN / NETHERLANDS BORDER. THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EAT AND DRINK SOMETHING IN ONE OF THE NEARBY BARS AND USE THE TOILET. THOSE WHO WANT TO WALK THROUGH THE FOREST OR ENTER THE OBSERVATION TOWER MUST REMEMBER ABOUT BACK TRIP. THE SERVICE WORKS DIFFERENTLY – DEPENDING ON THE SEASON. YOU NEED TO CHECK AVAILABILITY !!! THE RIDE COSTS 15€00.

THERE ARE TWO BUS LEVELS AT THE GUESTS’ DISPOSAL. THE UPPER ONE – APART FROM STANDARD HEADPHONES WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF CHOOSING ONE OF 10 LANGUAGES ​​(NO POLISH) – IS EQUIPPED WITH A LARGE TABLE WITH HOLES-DRINKS HOLDERS.

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THE ROUTE IT COVERS INCLUDES: ELISENBRUNNEN, LUDWIG FORUM, CAROLUS THERMAL BATHS, TIVOLI CHIO, QUELLENHOF / EUROGRESS / CASINO, MEMORIAL, LOUSBERG, RWTH, BENDPLATZ, UNIVERSITY CLINICAL CENTER, CASTLE BLOEMENDAAL / VAALS, NETHERLANDS / BORDER TRIANGLE, VAALS BORDER OUTBOUND, MAIN STATION, HEALTH CLINIC AT THE ROSENQUELLE AND THEATERPLATZ.

IN MY OPINION IT IS ALSO WORTH TO SEE THE OLD AACHEN OSTFRIEDHOF CEMETERY NEAR THE CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH (GRABESKIRCHE St. JOSEF) AT JOSEFS-PLATZ. THE CHURCH ITSELF IS INTERESTING FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE INTERIOR WAS TOTALLY DEVASTATED DURING WORLD WAR II. St. JOSEF IS A FORMER CATHOLIC PARISH CHURCH, TODAY CALLED THE “CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRAL”. CURRENTLY, IT SERVES AS A COLUMBARIUM FOR THE BURIAL OF URNS, BECAUSE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED CEMETERY OF AACHEN OSTFRIEDHOF HAS REACHED THE LIMIT OF ITS CAPACITY.

THE CATHEDRAL – AN UNUSUAL OBJECT WORTH SEE. THE TOUR TAKES UP TO 30 MINUTES. FREE ENTRANCE. IF YOU SHOOT PHOTOS, GET READY FOR A FEE OF 1€00.

ANOTHER PLACE WORTH SEEING IS THE CATHEDRAL TREASURY LOCATED SOME 100 m FROM THE CATHEDRAL DOOR. AFTER LEAVING THE TEMPLE, GO STRAIGHT AHEAD AND TURN RIGHT. SEVERAL DOZEN METERS FURTHER, THERE ARE CASH REGISTERS ON THE LEFT.

CATHEDRAL AND CATHEDRAL TREASURY – COOL BANANAS. DO NOT OVERLOOK !!!

THE ENTRANCE TO THE CENTER OF AACHEN FOR CARS WAS CLOSED. VISITING THIS PART OF THE CITY IS POSSIBLE ONLY ON FOOT OR BY BIKE (ROLLER SKATES, SCOOTERS).

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