Aachen's Historical Buildings Tour (Self Guided), Aachen

Evolved from an ancient Roman settlement, Aachen is one of the oldest and most historic cities in Germany. At one time it served as the capital of Holy Roman Empire. Today's Aachen is just a small city yet with a very rich history and stunning architecture. Despite being heavily damaged during World War II, some of its historical buildings have survived to our days courtesy of the strenuous reconstruction effort started almost immediately after the war.

As the royal residence of the emperor Charlemagne, Aachen was the principal coronation site of Holy Roman emperors and German kings from the Middle Ages to the Reformation. The Palatine Chapel, a masterpiece of the distinctive Carolingian architecture, incorporated within Aachener Dom (Aachen Cathedral), was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. The Cathedral itself, an eye-catching monument to Europe's illustrious past, is a fine mix of Carolingian and Gothic styles. Luckily, it suffered relatively little damage during WWII, and is currently one of the most influential buildings on the continent – architecturally, historically and religiously.

Also noteworthy are the well-preserved medieval churches such as St Foillan and St Nicholas, as well as the Rathaus (Town Hall), a wonderful stately edifice constructed circa 1530 on the ruins of Charlemagne’s palace and containing the magnificent Hall of the Emperors. Its renown was so great that later many town halls throughout Medieval Europe were modeled on it. Another monument still extant, originally a portion of the Charlemagne imperial palace, is the Granusturm (Granus Tower).

One more relic from the times when Aachen was a Free Imperial City is the Ponttor, a 14th-century gate once manned by soldiers, now used by German Youth and Scout groups.

There are quite a few historical buildings in Aachen where you can learn much about the city's glorious past. To explore the most spectacular of them in your good time and at your own pace, take this self-guided walking tour.