Haaren cross
The Haarberg rises in the north-east of the Aachen basin, east of Haaren and Verlautenheide. A stone cross stood on the top of the hill until October 1944. However, the cross was completely destroyed during the war. The so-called Haaren Cross was donated at the end of the 19th century by the building contractor J.G. Gilliam, who, as a native of Haaren, felt a deep connection to his village. The stone cross was a building with a cross-like structure. A cubic block in the shape of a small chapel rose on a square foundation platform with sides measuring around 4 meters. The chapel-like part tapered off in four stages and was then continued by a tower-like superstructure. In the last quarter of the superstructure, two intersecting crossbeams penetrated the shaft, pointing in the four cardinal directions, so that a cross could be seen from every perspective. The structure was 14 meters high and could be seen from all around Aachen. The Haaren cross was a popular excursion destination with a magnificent panoramic view over the Aachen region. After the cross was destroyed in 1944, there were soon calls for a new cross to be erected on the site where the stone cross had previously stood. The pastor of the Catholic parish church at the time, Mr. Willms, motivated the parish youth to support this idea and in 1947 the new cross, a wooden cross, was solemnly consecrated. The cross was made of peeled spruce wood and stood in a concrete base in the ground. The cross beams were attached to the trunk and slightly braced.
Under the trunk of the cross, the youths buried a bottle containing a document, the history of the destruction of the Haaren stone cross, ration cards and RM small change. However, this bottle was never found. The deed of foundation embedded in the foundation of the stone cross was also not found during later work. The wooden cross was renewed in later years.
In the 1960s, however, the desire for a new and stable cross was expressed, as the wooden cross could only be seen as a temporary solution. Despite many difficulties, the new cross was inaugurated in 1972 with a great deal of perseverance and skill. The decision was made to build a cross from a steel structure that was 15 m high and 8 m wide from the concrete floor to the top. The concrete floor was designed as a viewing plateau with seating and is still an inviting place to linger on a walk up the Haarberg today.
Finally, in 2001, the Haarener Kreuz was illuminated with the support of STAWAG, making it visible from afar even in the evening. The latest achievement was the installation of a telescope in the summer of 2005, which considerably improves the view of the surrounding area. In good weather, the view extends as far as the Eifel and neighboring Belgium and the Netherlands.
Welsche Mühle
The Welsche Mühle, first mentioned in the 15th century, is situated with its eastern façade facing Haarbachtalstrasse. In earlier times, the mill was generally referred to as "the mill of Oberhaaren". The name "Welsche Mühle" first appears in 1780. The mill was obviously named after the owner at the time, the imperial captain and Aachen citizen captain N.C. Charlier. He probably came from the French-speaking world, which is probably why he was called "der Welsch" and this name was transferred to the mill. The mill was primarily used to grind grain. There are two grinders in the mill, one for grinding rye and the other for grinding wheat. The "Welsche Mühle" was still in operation until 1961.
In 1962, the mill was transferred from private ownership to municipal ownership and the town has continuously pursued the restoration and construction of the mill since 1971. Due to its poor condition, this was a difficult undertaking, but it was carried out with a great deal of love and expertise. The "Welsche Mühle" with its grinding mill is an architectural and technological monument from bygone days. The grounds of the house have been converted into a green area with a duck pond and are intended as a resting place for the local population.
However, the upper floor of the mill was only accessible via a narrow spiral staircase. This meant that, in addition to barrier-free access, there was also no proper escape route. The solution was found through an exemplary project together with the Chair of Building Construction at the Rheinisch-WestfäIischen-Technischen-Hochschule in Aachen. As part of a semester project in 2003, a competition was held for students at the institute. The students came up with creative designs for a ramp that would connect the second floor with the green area of the mill at ground level. The seven best designs were presented to the Haaren district council and awarded prizes. The choice fell on a modern steel and wood construction. The construction is more than just a ramp and is an excellent architectural link to the "Welsche Mühle" complex. The project with the Chair of Building Construction at RWTH Aachen University shows how well modernity and the history of the mill can be combined. Nowadays, the mill can be used for various purposes by citizens and clubs for festivities, as the "Welsche Mühle" has lost none of its charm thanks to the restoration and structural additions.
The church of St. Germanus
In 1892, the church was solemnly consecrated by the then Auxiliary Bishop and later Cardinal of Cologne, Dr. Anton Fischer. The parish had previously had a small church, but this was no longer adequate for the growing congregation. The building project was financed and implemented thanks to the many years of hard work by the parish priest of Haaren and many generous Haaren citizens. The church was built on the churchyard of the old church in Haaren. Under the floor of the church rest the dead of several centuries who lived in Haaren.
The church of St. Germanus was also badly affected by the Second World War. The church roof was completely destroyed and the interior of the church was in ruins. In the years following the war, many efforts were made by the citizens and the church to restore the church and give it its current appearance. Inside the church, the old baptismal font of the Haaren congregation can be found on the left in the baptistery. The baptismal font dates back to 1598 and was made from Walheim bluestone.
It is the oldest jewel in the church. In the choir, on an old pillar, stands a Madonna of the Rays, which was created around 1600. A figure reminiscent of St. Joseph is a hundred years younger. The figures of St. Valentine and St. Germanus come from the former high altar, which was consecrated in 1892. The side chapel next to the choir is the sacrament chapel. The tabernacle is located there. In the niche is a reliquary containing a relic of St. Pope Pius X.
The Chapel of Peace
In the sixties, the Aachen citizen, Mr. Karl Schroeder, who was born in Haaren and felt very close to his homeland, wanted to donate a large part of his fortune to the Haaren community.
So the idea was born to build a chapel on the top of the Haarberg in the immediate vicinity of the Haarener Kreuz. The chapel was consecrated in 1969. The deed of foundation, a set of building plans and a copy of the notarized contract were walled into a floor niche in the sanctuary during a ceremony in 1968. The chapel bears the name "Peace Chapel" and is intended to be a memorial against war and a memorial to peace. The chapel is still used today to hold masses, especially for young people, and also for wedding ceremonies. When visiting the chapel, you can enjoy the particularly wide view over Aachen and the surrounding area from the Haarberg. A visit to the chapel is worthwhile in any case. Please contact the Christus unser Bruder parish office for opening times.
Good Scarce
Agriculture was a major economic factor in Verlautenheide until after the Second World War. Even today, there are still ten farm entrances on Verlautenheidener Straße between Kleinheidstrasse and Gut Knapp.
The estate has belonged to the city of Aachen, formerly the municipality of Haaren since 1830. The Knapp estate was used for agricultural purposes by a tenant until 1991. Since 2001, the estate has been home to a residential complex for people with physical and multiple disabilities. The listed building was extensively renovated for this purpose and represents a special concept for the integration of disabled people on their way to independence.
Good on overhair
The Auf Überhaaren estate was built in the 16th century and has been repeatedly extended and maintained over the centuries, giving it its current appearance. The four-winged complex is largely built of brick and also partly of quarry stone and has a hipped roof. The Auf Überhaaren estate was always owned by the town and was mainly used for agricultural purposes. Around 25 years ago, the estate was renovated and apartments were built here, revitalizing and redesigning the Überhaaren estate.