Centre Charlemagne, Aachen, Germany

Centre Charlemagne is the new museum of Aachen local history. It occupies the site on the Katschhof, the former palace courtyard. It focuses on a history of Aachen from the Neolithic to the present day. The key periods are the ancient Roman age (until 4th century AD), Charlemagne's Aachen (the capital of Frankish Empire), the medieval period and Baroque period. The whole house is barrier-free.

Museums in Germany

User Reviews

Andre Theron (3 years ago)
Very interactive and child friendly. Enough information for the adult and enough to keep the smaller museum goes busy.

Carlo Sebellin (3 years ago)
Awesome place if you are interested in the history of Aachen. You can learn what happened from all the way back to the first settlements, or you can inmerse yourself in the recent history of the city! Definitely worth visiting, check the "six for six" ticket to visit other good museums in Aachen!

Carlos Spiritrunner (3 years ago)
Great history and charm in an amazing place...

jeroen brons (4 years ago)
Excellent museum with original depiction of Aachens rich 1200 year history

Aurel Ghioca (4 years ago)
Small exhibit about the history of Aachen. The audioguide is really comprehensive.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Noémie 59

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Château d'Olhain

The Château d'Olhain is probably the most famous castle of the Artois region. It is located in the middle of a lake which reflects its picturesque towers and curtain walls. It was also a major stronghold for the Artois in medieval times and testimony to the power of the Olhain family, first mentioned from the 12th century.

The existence of the castle was known early in the 13th century, but the present construction is largely the work of Jean de Nielles, who married Marie d’Olhain at the end of the 15th century.

The marriage of Alix Nielles to Jean de Berghes, Grand Veneur de France (master of hounds) to the King, meant the castle passed to this family, who kept it for more than 450 years. Once confiscated by Charles Quint, it suffered during the wars that ravaged the Artois. Besieged in 1641 by the French, it was partly demolished by the Spaniards in 1654, and finally blown-up and taken by the Dutch in 1710. Restored in 1830, it was abandoned after 1870, and sold by the last Prince of Berghes in 1900. There is also evidence that one of the castles occupants was related to Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan, the person Alexandre Dumas based his Three Musketeers charictor d'Artagnan on.

During the World War I and World War II, the castle was requisitioned first by French troops, then Canadian and British soldiers. The current owner has restored the castle to its former glory.

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