I have been pet sitting in Stommeln, taking care of two adorable cats and a whole bunch of poultry: chickens, ducks, and geese. In some ways I have missed having a farm (but not being unable to vacation often). It was a also a good time to relax, get back into an exercise routine, and catch up with shows and emails, etc. There was a small Christmas market over the weekend.
Sylvia and Thorsten were wonderful and even had me stay an extra day to visit Aachen which is a town close to the Belgium border and the opposite direction action if where I would be traveling next. When I learned that Aachen is known for its gingerbread called printen. It is not like American gingerbread, with less spices and orange zest in the cookie. It was delicious.
Aachen is one of Germany’s oldest cities having been founded by the Romans (it was called Aquae Granni) as there were natural thermal spring waters here. Roman baths were constructed. In 742, Charlemagne made it his primary residence and the center of the Frankish Empire. in 800, he built the Palantine temple. He was buried in the walls after his death and the present day Cathedral expanded upon those walls.
From the 10th through the 16th centuries, German kings were coronated in the cathedral. Because of the history and the relics here, it is also a major site of pilgrimage. It fell into decline after the 16th century, was under the rule of Napoleon and Prussia, and heavily damaged in WWII.
The inside of the cathedral:
The sarcophagus continuing the remains of Charlemagne.
The Aachener Domschatz is the location of the relics from before and the early years of the cathedral built in 1215.
The skullcap of Charlemagne.
The gilded arm that belonged to Charlemagne actually contains a radius and ulna bones that have been analyzed and believed to be that of Charlemagne.
The Rathaus is the town hall and was built on the foundation of the palace of Charlemagne.
In the upstairs, it has an impressive view of the cathedral and the square where the palace stood. Of course, there is a Christmas market there!
It is still known as a highly regarded spa town with the Caroluus thermen spa. Yes, I went to the spa and enjoyed some great relaxing thermal waters. In
Other photos from Aachen.
I also met with a friend of Sylvia’s to help her practice her English. She is an artist using metals and enamel. She wanted to show me how to make a necklace and gifted it to me which was so nice.
