Geschichte besteht aus vielen kleinen Puzzlestückchen. Aachen hat besonders viele davon: Es gibt zahlreiche Baudenkmäler, Bodendenkmäler, Denkmalbereiche und Kulturlandschaften in unserer Stadt. Die archäologische Geschichte Aachens umspannt sogar mehrere Jahrtausende. Sie fasziniert Jung und Alt und ist Teil unserer Identität. Denkmalpflege bedeutet, dieses kulturelle Erbe zu bewahren. So können auch es auch kommende Generationen erleben. All dies geschieht heute so, dass gleichzeitig eine nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung möglich ist.
Unesco World Cultural Heritage Aachen
City of Aachen/Peter Wery
Aachen Cathedral is one of the most important buildings in Europe and is one of the most outstanding monuments of sacred architecture. It was built as Charlemagne's palatine chapel between 795 and 803 and developed over the centuries into one of the most important ecclesiastical centers in Germany. Its historical significance was recognized in 1987 with its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List - the first German building ever to do so.
UNESCO
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural and Communication Organization. It is the only UN organization to have a global network of national commissions, currently exactly 200 worldwide. In Germany, the German Commission for UNESCO is the interface between the government, civil society and UNESCO and is involved in shaping Germany's UNESCO membership.
Monument area city center
Aachen's city center is not only of great historical importance, but also guarantees a high quality of life. This sensitive asset must be protected.
Route Charlemagne
The Route Charlemagne leads to important places in the city of Aachen and tells the history and stories of Aachen as a European city and as a city of science. The route is named after Charlemagne, who established his preferred seat of power in Aachen around 800 - as the center of an empire that extended over large parts of the European continent.
Monuments in Aachen
What monuments are there in Aachen-Kornelimünster, in the city center and other areas - and how are they protected? More about the individual monument areas, registered monuments.
Aachen monument areas
My monument
© City of Aachen / Jane Kaimer
Monuments are valuable testimonies to our history, architecture and culture. They shape the cityscape and the identity of our city of Aachen. As the owner of a listed building, you bear a special responsibility for its preservation. But you also have the unique opportunity to contribute to the preservation of our cultural heritage - and we are happy to support you! Whether renovation, funding or tax benefits: We will provide you with expert advice and help you to preserve your listed building sustainably in accordance with the legal requirements.
Certificates for tax purposes
According to §36 DSchG NRW, monument owners can receive tax relief for expenses incurred in the preservation of monuments. The certificates are issued by the Lower Monument Authority Aachen in consultation with the Landschaftsverband. They may only be issued if the monument is registered in the list of monuments or is provisionally registered. The certificate can only be issued if the construction measures have been agreed in advance with the Lower Monument Authority.
Subsidies
There is a new funding guideline for the preservation of monuments in NRW, which covers lump-sum funding, individual monument preservation projects and municipal archaeology. The guideline on the granting of subsidies for monument protection and preservation as well as the application form can be found on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Building and Digitization NRW.
Flood 2021
The 2021 floods also caused severe damage in the south of Aachen. Hahn, Sief and especially Kornelimünster were particularly affected. Unfortunately, most of the work to repair the flood damage has still not been completed. Against this backdrop, the application deadline for reconstruction funding for private households has been extended to June 30, 2026 and the approval deadline to December 31, 2030.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Building and Gender Equality of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia has announced that it will support monument owners affected by the heavy rainfall as far as possible in repairing this damage. Please contact the Cologne district government here: denkmalpflege@bezreg-koeln.nrw.de
The German Foundation for Monument Protection is also currently offering three options for emergency flood aid for monument owners. The contact address for this is: hochwasser-nothilfe@denkmalschutz.de.
Please do not forget to inform the relevant Aachen Lower Monument Authority. The planned measures must be agreed with us (as unbureaucratically as possible!). Please include us in the CC when you write to the Cologne district government or the German Foundation for Monument Protection: denkmalpflege@mail.aachen.de
Spotlight on!
© Andreas Herrmann / ats
"WERT-voll-Denkmale als Teil unserer Geschichte und ldentität" is the motto of this year's Open Monument Day, which takes place on Sunday, September 14. The city of Aachen is once again calling on people to take an active part in Germany's largest cultural event.