Program details

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Friday – May 14th 2010

Aachen Cathedral

Experience during the Euro Meeting 2010 the Aachen Cathedral "Aachener Dom", which was the first German monument to get listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne was for over 200 years north of the Alps unsurpassed in its height and was admired and imitated in the Middle Ages. The oldest part and the core of the Aachen Cathedral is the Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne. Model for this church were Byzantine Emperor churches in Byzantium and the Mediterranean. The pillars, which adorn the spaces of the gallery openings, are mostly antique and come from Italy. Charlemagne had them brought to Aachen at the end of the 8th Century. They came ox-carts over the Alps from Rome and Ravenna. The "Barbarossaleuchter" is a candleholder donated by king Barbarossa which is hanging down from a dizzying height. All seven years the faithful from all over the world come to Aachen to admire the Aachen Cathedral and its magnificent sanctuaries.

During the Euro Meeting 2010 you will walk the paths of Charlemagne, and absorbe the nice athmosphere and rich cultural background which makes the citizens of Aachen so proud of their home town. It is said that Aachen - while building the cathedral - was running out of money. Although Charlemagne had enough money, however he was traveling in his kingdom and unreachable for the Aachen citizens. The devil deceitfully offered his help, but only on condition that he would get the soul of the person who first enters the cathedral. When the cathedral was completed, Charlemagne, together with Pope Leo III., wanted to celebrate the consecration mass. No one dared to enter the cathedral. In order to outwit the devil, they send a bear - which made in the weeks before the forests around Aachen precarious - into the dark cathedral at night. In his greed for the animal the devil immediately caught the bear and snatched the soul from the body. Too late he noticed the fraud. People are saying he was fleeing with a terrible cry from the cathedral. When smashing the heavy bronze doors, his thumb got stuck in the grip of the left door. Today we find in the west portal of the cathedral the statue of a wolf, which the locals declared the bear of the Aachen Cathedral legend. The wolf has a hole in his chest, symbolizing the hole through which the devil took the animal's soul. In the lion's head on the left-wing-door of the west portal, you can still feel a dent which the locals assert as the thumb of the devil. In fact, the dent in the bronze probably is the result of a mistake during casting of the door handle. Have fun with empathy, the devil will get you.

Treasury Chamber

On the occasion of the Euro Meetings 2010, we will present one of the most important church treasuries of Europe, a unique collection of treasures from the history of the Aachen Cathedral. The treasury shows sacred treasures from the late classical, the carolingian, the ottonian, the “Hohenstaufen” and the gothic eras, belonging to the part of the greatest artworks of their time. The prominence of the treasury is mainly due to the fact that hundreds of years Aachen Cathedral was the coronation church of the Roman and German kings.

In 1995, the Aachen Cathedral Treasury was refurbished and now shows on over 600sq m at different levels and areas more than 100 great works of art. One of the most important church treasuries of Europe is thus presented in a dignified home that meet the immense value of the exhibits, as well as the enormous influx of nearly 250,000 visitors per year. And you can be one of them …

Guided tour

Aachen's historic Old Town invites you to take a stroll. Let you take you through narrow alleys and across historic squares through the almost 2000 years old history of Aachen. See all facets of Aachen - a modern city with beautiful old houses, many old and new wells and many stories about the cathedral and town hall. Relive the stories of the houses and learn about the most beautiful and ancient streets of Aachen.

Little secrets and interesting little stories are hidden in many places in the town. The Aachen, intelligent, articulate and helpful emerges in these stories as well as honored guests, patients, witches, devils, winner of the “International Charlemagne Price of the City of Aachen” and perhaps Tabler. Let enchant you of dealings in which ancient crafts still be exercised.

On the way from the market to Ponttor churches and monasteries are lining the street. Historic facades of many architectural styles and buildings of some famous people tell their vivid history. Relax in the cozy old town of Aachen in quaint restaurants where you will forget the time while enjoying a good beer.

Wine and chocolate

Are you a true connoisseur? You are interested in the history of the city of Aachen and are not averse of tasting a "Printe", a good glass of wine or a piece of chocolate? Then you can enjoy the tour "wine & chocolate" in our imperial city. At the "Elisenbrunnen" the tour starts, leads past the cathedral and city hall, while you will discover the exciting details of the city. On this way you will taste the most famous culinary specialty of the city - the Aachener Printen. Your taste buds will continue to be required for the end of the tour by having a wonderful chocolate and wine tasting.

"Printen" bakery

The original Aachener Printen is a kind of honey cake probably imported from Belgium. Traditional Printen baker guarded their bakery-secrets of their families until today. There was once a staunch representative of the Dinant caster guild. He was among as in 1620 in Belgium, the statue of Charlemagne was poured, which is still a part of the fountain in front of the Aachen City Hall. The bronze bowl of the fountain was built at the same time in the imperial city. The founders came to the fountain assembly from Dinant to Aachen and offered in the coffee break pieces of his delicious home bread to workers from Aachen. It appears that from the first bite it tasted so good that shortly afterwards bakers tried the recipe in Aachen bakeries. On the one hand you can enjoy the Printe but you can also visit the bakery. Maybe you can lift one of the family secrets …

Aachen bit by bit

At a culinary tour you can discover bit by bit the highlights of our imperial city. On the way you experience varied culinary delights, while you learn on your way some funny and exciting things about the city of Charlemagne. Sausage, cheese, Printen and wine accompanies you with anecdotes and stories from the old Aachen.

Friday Evening – May 14th 2010

Bad Taste Party

Bad taste party! We will spend Fridays evening while rejoicing us at our weird costumes. You should come up with something to stand out from the crowd. However, we do not play bad music - the 70s will dominate this evening and we look forward to some great performances. The location is made for it. The Bastei (now a theater) was built in the early thirties and was originally a tourist restaurant with catering and a ballroom. In the early sixties it was used as a vaudeville company. During this time the Bastei developed its image into the myth of a mundane nightclub - always with a bit of dubious reputation the middle class of Aachen.

Take care while choosing your outfit! There is a prize for the worst tasted 70s outfit!

Saturday – May 15th 2010

Monschau and the Vincity

After the presentation of Aachen’s beauty on Friday, our Saturday's programme will take you in the nearby hills - the Eifel. In particular our tour will focus in and around the small village of Monschau.

With its historical Old Town and unique location amidst the famous hedges and impressive scenery of the surrounding Venn region, Monschau is a health climate resort with plenty to offer. As a stroll through its winding alleys will soon reveal, the romantic half-timbered houses harbour a rich mosaic of art, culture and museums. A tour to the historic mustard mill can be arranged as well. After an outdoor lunch, depending on the weather conditions, we will then travel on the old railway tracks through the marvellous landscape.

Our route back to Aachen will make a stop for those interested in World war 2 history at the Westwall and Kall trail, where at Nov 1st 1944 the bloody fight of Huertgenwald took place and still today the heavy fortification lines can be seen.

This sounds boring to you? You need action on a Saturday? No Problem! For a small extra charge (depending on number of participants) we offer you a Mountain bike tour around Monschau. To slow? Still no problem! The original Michael Schumacher Karting centre is just a little over 30 minutes from Aachen and worth a visit. Here too an additional charge is necessary and bookings for a visit to the Kart centre have to be done till 31st March 2010.

The above mentioned is too sporty, to adventures or just to straining after a party night? Then why not spend the day like the Romans did 2000 years ago. A day in the thermal spas of Aachen. The Carolus Thermen offer you a day of wellness, relaxation, sauna, etc. (Costs extra)

After your programme, being it Monschau, MTB, Karting or a wellness brake you will have enough time to prepare for the GALA Night.

Saturday Evening – May 15th 2010

Gala Dinner

On Saturday night, in the middle of downtown Aachen (quasi above the rooftops with a nice view towards the cathedral), the gala evening takes followed by the possibilities to celebrate. After a warm welcome, we will enjoy an exquisite dinner. Afterwards a DJ will leads over from the dinner into a glittering party night. On Friday we already won the bad taste - we emphasis a proper wardrobe on this evening!

Dress code: BLACK TIE!

Sunday – May 16th 2010

Farewell brunch

The Farewell takes place in the middle of Aachen again.

There will be champagne and an extensive brunch buffet - open from 9.00 to 14.00 o’clock. Thus, we have a lot of time to end this exciting weekend

Following that, we recommend you to visit the "Dreiländereckpunkt". By this you can really claim you have traveled to three countries in one weekend.