Self-guided podcast tour The Borderland Paradoxon from Aachen

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

1. 1

   Grashaus

   10 min

   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.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   10 min

   The historic town hall, built on the ruins of Charlemagne's palace, where the Karl Prize is awarded today.

3. 3

   Centre Charlemagne

   10 min

   The city museum, which focuses on the realm of Charles the Great and the violent, changing history of regional borders.

4. 4

   Couven-Museum

   10 min

   An 18th-century townhouse that shows the common Aachen-Liège regional style and the complexity of bourgeois life in the border region.

5. 5

   Ponttor

   10 min

   A massive city gate from the 14th century that guarded trade routes and gave rise to the region's early smuggling networks.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   10 min

   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.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.