On the rails again… #CrossBorderRail
Today I am joined by @darkphoenix, who will be accompanying me for the rest of the week.
After a somewhat hectic #FOSDEM we are having a more relaxed day, with a short hop over the border to Aachen.
Today’s Itinerary: https://s.moof.space/trip20260202
We’re doing this on a Ticket+ discounted first class ticket, because that is way under my #Interrail threshold.
@darkphoenix We had a spontaneous and serendipitous random meet with @maartje, @lewd, and a couple of adorable Rosahajar on the Brussels-Welkenraedt train. We had a nice post-FOSDEM catchup.
@darkphoenix @maartje @lewd Nous arrivons à Aix-La-Chappele Gare Centrale
Deutschland, ich bin in Ihr!
@maartje @lewd As often as I travel with @darkphoenix, I don’t always get to do much in the way of sightseeing. It’s a running joke with us that, for example, we’ve been to Würzburg twice but not seen beyond the station and the hotel alongside it.
This trip I’m making a point of rectifying this issue. I am have picked a couple of locations we’ve been to already and I’m sightseeing in them. Today is Aachen, and later this week, I will get some time in Würzburg. I have also picked a town that will be a first time visit, which I’ll be sightseeing at between the two.
But on to Aachen, which at one point was the effectively capital of the (Western) world, where Charlemagne settled and ran the Frankish Empire, as he was fond of the thermal waters here.
The thermal spring is still here, at Elisebrunnen, and sulfurous water still emerges at an even 53°C, which you can drink if you want to… it has a vaguely eggy taste.
These days the spring has been covered by a monumental building, which has ornamental taps that allow the spring to pour out into the drainage system, and it’s free for anyone to drink from.
Spa towns like this are all over Europe, but this is one of the best known. For centuries spa towns were places where the (mostly rich) people came to heal, as the waters were considered to have healing properties. Most of the actual healing came from being pampered and relaxing, and being fed and cleaned regularly, and the contemporary equivalent of doctors and nurses would gravitate towards these spots.
Aachen has a truly magnificent Dom.
Take the time to savour the details and the intricacies that this Dom has to offer if you choose to make a visit. Pilgrimages have been made in order to pay obeisance kneeling at the altar of this Dom, with good reason. The reputation this Dom has as awe-inspiring is very well deserved.
Do not skip visiting this Dom if this is the sort of thing you are into. You will feel much better for it, and the Dom will not disappoint.
