Hail Thee,

That's because I really like living there :) The main reason for Aachens history importance is indeed Charles the Great, who ruled a very large country (around th year 800) and made Aachen his seat of government. That historic Aachen city hall dates from his time and is very well preserved. Same with the Aachen cathedral.

> and I've been meaning to holiday in Germany for a while now... I might be tempted to pop over later in the year.

Good idea :) but honesty prompts me to tell you that there certainly are many more wonderful cities in Germany, each one special in its own way. My friend from England was her in Aachen earlier this year, though, and I did manage to transfer some of my enthusiam to him :) Now he is planning a larger tour through Germany with visits to several cities.

> Who knows - I might even be able to get photographic evidence of their lack of same-person-ness. :)

I do not look very good on photos ! Somehow the act of holding a loaded camery in front of my face, with the imminent threat of pressing the trigger, will make my facial features turn into some freakish expression.

--
Stephan