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Offered languages
- German
- English
Enter the permeable heart of Europe. This is not just a walk through a historic German city; it is an investigation of the concept of boundaries itself. From medieval customs dodgers to post-war coffee smugglers – discover how people in Aachen outwitted the lines drawn by emperors and politicians on maps for centuries. You will explore the tension between grand European visions and the raw, everyday reality of life on the border.
- 3.1 km self-guided tour with 6 stations over 100 min.
- Ideal for everyone interested in identity, migration & globalization and history & memory
Excitingly told in a podcast style by experts and locals
- Suitable audio content, AI guide, and navigation via the app
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
From Aachen main station with local public transport towards Grashaus. Walk the last few minutes from the nearest stop to the Grashaus. Please check the current connection with the local transport association on the day of travel.
Walk from Westpark to the nearest stop and take local public transport back to Aachen main station. Please check the current connection on the day of travel.
Itinerary
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1Grashaus
A former town hall, court, and prison from the 13th century, which now serves as a community center and symbolizes the transition from medieval urban control to modern European integration.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
The historic town hall, built on the ruins of Charlemagne's palace, where the Karl Prize is awarded today.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Centre Charlemagne
The city museum, which focuses on the realm of Charles the Great and the violent, changing history of regional borders.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Couven-Museum
An 18th-century townhouse that shows the common Aachen-Liège regional style and the complexity of bourgeois life in the border region.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Ponttor
A massive city gate from the 14th century that guarded trade routes and gave rise to the region's early smuggling networks.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
A quiet city park facing the western borders and serving as a starting point to talk about the 'Aachen Coffee Front,' a massive coffee smuggling operation after the Second World War.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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