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Aachen

Aachen is a city in western Germany, near the Belgian and Dutch borders. It is the place where 31 Holy Roman Emperors were crowned Kings of the Germans from 936 to 1531.

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All Content on this topic

Freeway signs to Cologne, Antwerp, Heerlen and Aachen.

German police reintroduce spot controls at all borders

Checks are being temporarily reintroduced at Germany's borders, including in the far west. Not everyone is happy.
PoliticsSeptember 17, 2024
DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

REV – The Auto & Mobility Show

Investigating solar-powered cars, testing the Audi S3, and the man who sells the most-expensive cars
Cars and TransportationSeptember 3, 202426:06 min
Police on the scene at an Aachen hospital.

Germany: Police wounds woman in stand-off at hospital

Special police forces were deployed in Germany's Aachen after a woman barricaded herself inside the Luisenhospital.
CrimeMarch 5, 2024
A horse gallops

Dressage riders fear for future at Olympics

Cases of serious animal cruelty were uncovered among well-known riders in Denmark and the United States.
SportsMarch 2, 2024
, Tivoli Stadion

German football club suffering from right wing links

As the protests in Germany against the far right grow, so too does the importance of the role played by football clubs.
SportsFebruary 21, 2024
Olga and Jekaterina, activists from the Russian 'Feminist Anti-War Resistance' collective, talking while going down a street in Berlin

Russian anti-war activists awarded peace prize

The Aachen Peace Prize 2023 has been awarded to Russian activists from the Feminist Anti-War Resistance collective.
SocietySeptember 1, 202302:51 min
A group of women stand on a piazza; one of them holds a person on the arm who is dressed in a red prison jumpsuit, wears a mask depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, and has a red-blood like substance smeared on their arms.

Germany: 2023 Aachen Peace Prize recipients

The award went to a network of Russian pacifist women and the Human Rights Defenders Fund in Israel.
ConflictsSeptember 1, 2023
Reitturnier CHIO

Making equestrian sports safer for the horses

A pilot study at one of the world's most prestigious events aims to shed light on how to safeguard the horses' welfare.
SportsJuly 3, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Could German police's Zelenskyy leak jeopardize the trip?

Police confirmed a long-rumored trip to Germany by Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But such plans are usually kept quiet.
PoliticsMay 3, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will receive 2023 Charlemagne Prize

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people will win the 2023 Charlemagne Prize.
PoliticsDecember 16, 2022
German emergency crews stand outside a passenger train in the western German municipality of Herzogenrath following a knife attack on board

Germany: Knife attack on train leaves several wounded

At least six people were wounded after a man attacked them on a passenger train near the city of Aachen.
CrimeMay 13, 2022
Maria Kolesnikova, Tsikhanouskaya and Weronika Zepkalo

Belarus' Tsikhanouskaya shares 2022 Charlemagne Prize

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maria Kolesnikova and Veronika Tsepkalo became Belarus' faces of resistance in 2020's vote.
PoliticsDecember 17, 2021
The downtown Christmas market in Aachen, Germany

Germany's Christmas markets in chaos amid soaring infections

In some regions where COVID cases are low, authorities are cautiously moving ahead — while waiting for the ax to fall.
SocietyNovember 24, 2021
Drawing by German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer titled 'The Virgin and Child with a Flower on a Grassy Bank'

Dürer drawing bought for $30 worth millions

Bought at a house clearance sale, the drawing by German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer was thought to be just a copy.
ArtsNovember 23, 2021
Two women making peace sign

Nigerian interfaith women's group wins Aachen Peace Prize

Countering violence is the goal of the Women's Interfaith Council, which represents Muslims and Christians in Kaduna.
ReligionNovember 12, 2021
Cannabis plantation in Euskirchen

German police find cannabis plantations, weapons caches

Police in Aachen have found three professionally run cannabis plantations and masses of weapons in a big operation.
CrimeNovember 18, 2020
A sign requesting social distancing

COVID-19: German man enforces distancing with pepper spray

An elderly German man doused joggers and cyclists in pepper spray when he felt that they were too close.
CrimeOctober 19, 2020
Daily Drone Aachen

Aachen Cathedral

Germany from above: The Aachen Cathedral in North Rhine-Westphalia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.
TravelJune 6, 202000:54 min
Dreiländereck — the convergence of three countries, Aachen

Germany from A to Z: Aachen

Weekly we introduce a city starting with a different letter in the alphabet. We begin with Aachen in far west Germany.
TravelMay 25, 202010 images
Corona shrine, golden reliquary

Was St. Corona the patron saint of epidemics?

The saint, whose feast day is May 14, is celebrating a comeback — and a German cathedral has a reliquary with her bones.
CultureMay 13, 2020
DFB -Pokal BFC Dynamo vs. FC Schalke 04 (Reuters/A. Schimdt)

Coronavirus: Lower-league clubs getting creative to raise money

From record-breaking attempts to panic-buying to matches against "FC Corona," German clubs are getting creative.
SportsMarch 30, 20207 images
Klaus Iohannis waving

Charlemagne Prize goes to Romania's president

Klaus Iohannis is being recognized as an important "bridge-builder" between Europe's east and west.
PoliticsDecember 14, 2019
Springreiten | Deutschland | Meredith Michaels Beerbaum

Michaels-Beerbaum: 'Role models should speak their minds'

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum about why athletes should speak their mind when it comes to politics.
SportsJuly 18, 2019
Fridays for Future protest in Aachen

Aachen hosts 'Fridays for Future' strike

Activists are also planning to block one of Germany's largest open coal mines nearby.
PoliticsJune 21, 2019
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Guterres calls for strong EU to avoid cold war

Upon receiving the Charlemagne Prize, the UN head called for a strong and united Europe to avoid "a new cold war."
PoliticsMay 30, 2019
Antonio Guterres visiting Tuvalu

The UN's utopian, guardian and cosmopolitan

Antonio Guterres has earned global respect for his commitment to multilateralism, human rights and climate protection.
PoliticsMay 30, 2019
Ruslan Kotsaba: designated Aachen Peace Prize winner

Ukrainian journalist declines Aachen Peace Prize

Ruslan Kotsaba has renounced the honor after coming in for criticism for anti-Semitic comments made in 2011.
MediaMay 23, 2019
The Urfttalsperre Dam in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Robbers tow man behind car, leave him for dead

Two men have been taken into custody in the city of Aachen after a gruesome beating and robbery.
CrimeApril 16, 2019
Schäuble and Ferrand shaking hands

Germany, France establish parliamentary assembly

The body is designed to implement the new so-called Aachen treaty and make proposals concerning Franco-German relations.
PoliticsMarch 25, 2019
DW World Heritage App 360 | Starttafel ENG

Explore German World Heritage sites in 360°

Play the "DW World Heritage 360" app and discover UNESCO World Heritage in a completely new way.
TravelMarch 18, 2019
Richard Ferrand - President of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand during a session of questions to the Government at the French National Assembly in Paris on January 23

Paris endorses French-German parliamentary assembly

France's National Assembly has endorsed a planned Franco-German parliamentary assembly comprising 100 representatives.
PoliticsMarch 12, 2019
Symbolbild EU-Erweiterung

Inside Europe 24.01.2019

Italy and France face-off over migrants - Contradictions at the World Economic Forum - Measles makes a deadly comeback in Romania – Celtic Connections and computer gaming take the stage - France and Germany strengthen ties - Why French mayors are fed up -Vienna's new food-free public transport – The fate of Jewish monuments in the Czech Republic - Technology assists the UK's homeless.
PoliticsJanuary 25, 201954:59 min
Angela Merkel und Emmanuel Macron unterzeichnen den neuen Elysée-Vertrag in Aachen Kommentarbild Felix Steiner

Inside Europe: Germany and France strengthen ties

A new bilateral pact between France and Germany pledges deeper cooperation between the two nations and paves the way for EU reforms. The Treaty of Aachen aims to bring relations to a "new level" and improve the lives of citizens in both countries. Keith Walker speaks with DW political correspondent Thomas Sparrow in Berlin to find out why the new pact is necessary.
PoliticsJanuary 25, 201905:19 min
German, French and EU flags

What's in the Franco-German Treaty of Aachen?

The Aachen Treaty between Germany and France indicates the alliance of Europe's powerhouses.
PoliticsJanuary 22, 2019
Christian Trippe, Leiter der Hauptabteilung Osteuropa und DW Russisch

A Franco-German political spring

Christian F. Trippe
The Treaty of Aachen could trigger a new beginning for Europe, writes Christian F. Trippe.
PoliticsJanuary 22, 2019
Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron sign the treaty

Merkel and Macron sign new treaty to revive EU

A new bilateral treaty pledges deeper cooperation between the two nations and paves the way for EU reforms.
PoliticsJanuary 22, 2019
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a joint press conference

Merkel sees Germany, France as drivers of EU unity

In a video, Merkel emphasized the importance of German-French ties and explained why a new friendship treaty is needed.
PoliticsJanuary 19, 2019
Deutschland Luftaufnahme Worms

The 1,000-year-olds: Cathedrals for eternity

Cathedrals are larger and more magnificent than other churches, as they're usually bishops' seats.
TravelDecember 18, 201815 images
04.2016 Check-in (Sendungslogo)

A Trip from Aachen to Maastricht

From Aachen Cathedral to a birthplace of the European Union.
CultureDecember 15, 201826:03 min
Check-in vom 15.12.2018

From Aachen to Maastricht

A journey from the former imperial city of Aachen to Maastricht, a birthplace of the European Union.
TravelDecember 14, 201809:28 min
DW euromaxx 04.12.2017 Serie Lichterglanz und Leckereien - Printen in Aachen

German Christmas treat

The taste of Christmas - Printen gingerbread is a specialty from Aachen with a long tradition.
LifestyleNovember 27, 201803:52 min
DW Euromaxx Highlights (Sendungslogo)

Euromaxx - Highlights of the week

Aachen Cathedral glows on its anniversary, Ottolinger at Paris fashion week, and clay illustrations
LifestyleSeptember 30, 201826:00 min
Euromaxx 25.09.2018 Aachener Dom

40 years World Heritage Site Aachen Cathedral

40 years ago, Aachen Cathedral became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s glowing on its anniversary.
CultureSeptember 30, 201804:31 min
Karl der Grosse Macht Kunst Schätze Ausstellung in Aachen Katschhof in Aachen

Discover Aachen, Charlemagne's capital city

An ancient city of power transforms into a modern hub of education. DW's Eesha Kheny checked it out for us.
TravelSeptember 17, 2018
A large treehouse in Hambach Forest

Police arrest Hambach Forest activists

Dozens of activists have been arrested by police as authorities continue clearing people from woods near Aachen.
Law and JusticeSeptember 16, 2018
Aachen Statue Karl der Große mit Europafahne

Aachen Cathedral - UNESCO World Heritage

In 1978, Aachen Cathedral was the first building in Germany to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
TravelSeptember 7, 201811 images
Police stand in front of tree houses in the Hambach Forest

Police clear protesters from Hambach Forest

Environmental demonstrators have for years opposed plans to expand one of Germany's largest open-pit coal mines.
SocietySeptember 5, 2018
Picture of Aachen showing cathedral

Aachen award honors satirists, rights activists

A Berlin satirist collective and Colombian peace activists are the winners of this year's Aachen Peace Prize.
SocietySeptember 2, 2018
Symbolbild Springreiten

German equestrian expertise in China

For years, Ludger Beerbaum and the German Equestrian Federation have been working in China.
SportsJuly 17, 2018
Flooding in North Rhine-Westphalia

Heavy rain, fierce storms crash down on North Rhine-Westphalia

Flooded streets and collapsed roofs — North Rhine-Westphalia succumbed to heavy rainfall and violent storms on Tuesday.
CatastropheMay 30, 20185 images