A perfect day in Aachen
“There are days that are more beautiful than the world itself.”
Do you know that feeling? There are days when I feel the same way. They are those rare days when I can just go with the flow.
Days that are a symbiosis of tranquility, visual stimuli, a little culture or history, exercise, and a delicious drink or a fine treat. Pleasure for the mind and soul. So beautiful!
Let me tempt you a little to see Aachen through "relaxed" eyes.
Something old, something new
Do you agree? It doesn't always have to be something new and distant; even things that are close by, perhaps even familiar, can be perfect when viewed from the right angle. Fancy a little visual journey through Aachen? I'll take you with me and show you my personal “perfect day in Aachen”.
St. Jakob church
Why not go in the “other direction” for a change? I start at St. Jakob Church, which is the first stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela after Aachen Cathedral when leaving the city. My route does not lead out of the city, which would also be possible via a road towards the Netherlands and Belgium, but into the city. I find the idea exciting: where others start their pilgrimage, I start my perfect day walking in exactly the opposite direction.
Here's a little historical tidbit for you: at 87 meters, St. Jakob's Church has the highest church tower in Aachen and rises majestically into the sky. In sunshine and blue skies, the spire shines greenish-blue, adorned with a golden ball. Rare kestrels have made their home here.
Take a look inside the pilgrims' chapel to the side of the entrance or the small garden to the right of the church. Small, delightful oases of peace await you.
The Rosviertel district with the Roskapellchen chapel
My next little trip takes me down Jakobstraße, right across Stromgasse into the Rosviertel district, where I take a quick look at the little Roskapelle chapel. I continue strolling through Rosstraße and come across an industrial monument with an incredibly interesting history in Aachen: the Rosfabrik. Located in a backyard—you have to look specifically for it—this was once the site of the Josef Zimmermann company, which produced needles for the global market for 150 years. The baroque facade in the Couven style, the mix with modern renovated units of the production halls and the mansion are a great photo spot! Immerse yourself in the history of Aachen as the “needle city”! Industrial style meets the present.
I stroll a few meters further and immerse myself in a charming little street in the old town.
Anna street
For the people of Aachen, this is one of the most beautiful streets in the city. I agree. Like a beautiful avenue leading to the heart of Aachen, it takes you straight to the cathedral. Annastraße is lined with lovely little shops and picturesque houses. When the weather is nice, I love to turn left just before St. Anna's Church (the oldest Protestant church in Aachen) through an archway onto Hermann-Heusch-Platz. It's a small green oasis in the city where you can take a deep breath. I am captivated by the stilt children, a life-size figure showing laughing children walking on stilts. The sight of their happy faces brings the sound of children's laughter to my ears and makes me smile.
Italian Flair
Every now and then, when strolling down Annastraße, I am magically drawn to “A tavola da Giorgio.” A small and exquisite shop for Italian specialities. An espresso at the counter or on one of the two small chairs in front of the window. A piece of cheese, Parma ham, or amarettini are welcome additions; perhaps for a little picnic at the end of the day, which can end in culinary perfection. Dolce vita in my Aachen. Why not? Again and again. If you wander through Aachen with your eyes open, you will find so many Mediterranean-style spots.
Accompanied by the view of the cathedral, I stroll across the fish market through the Spitzgässchen. Sweet tooth on board? Then quickly pop into the legendary Domlädchen and immerse yourself in the scent and taste of hundreds of fine confectionery. I continue across Münsterplatz along the cathedral and find my “place to be” in Aachen's “Hof.”
Ending my day in the "Hof"
This little corner of Aachen—the “Hof”—is, for me, the perfect old town spot. Surrounded by impressive history—a view of the cathedral, columns from Rome's past and the Körbergässchen — I can end my little trip to the heart of Aachen here.
At Café Lammerskötter in the courtyard, I enjoy delicious coffee and cake, ice cream, or a drink. I relax, enjoy myself, watch the people walking by or lingering, chat, or read a book. Everything is possible in a relaxed atmosphere!
As a connoisseur, I can highly recommend the wonderful variety of cuisine in the courtyard. Pizza, pasta, salads, a freshly tapped beer.
The quote “There are days that are more beautiful than the world” by Christian Lenz pops into my head again. My perfect day in Aachen.
Fotos: © aachenviews – finanziert durch REACT-EU