RWTH Aachen main building

The main building of RWTH Aachen University was constructed between 1865 and 1870 according to plans by Robert Ferdinand Cremer and marks the beginning of the university, which opened on 10 October 1870. The building stands at the transition from the 19th century to modernity and reflects the aspiration to give science and technology a firm place in the cityscape. The façade appears both austere and open, as if it wanted to make the struggle for knowledge visible. When you walk across the courtyard today, you can sense a mixture of historical traces and a constant new beginning. The significance of the building is also evident in how it survived two world wars and yet retained its character. It has accompanied generations of students and researchers and remains a place where new ideas are born.