Press releases

The Büchel Old Town district is moving into the next phase: Archaeological excavations will begin there in the first week of September. Büchel is not only an important site for the future of Aachen’s downtown area; it also represents a significant part of the city’s history. Previous excavations have already unearthed exciting finds, including Roman pottery, tools, and the remains of medieval cellars.

Starting Wednesday, September 2, an excavator will arrive to prepare a southern section of the site for archaeological investigations. Because the area beneath the sidewalk on the side facing the Platz für Demokratie will also be excavated, the sidewalk along the square will be relocated to the street. The sidewalk next to 51 Büchel and the bike racks will then no longer be accessible. Büchel Street will remain open to traffic, but parking between house numbers 34 and 48 on Büchel Street will not be possible during the construction period.

With the guidance of archaeological experts, the subsoil will be examined early on for traces of Aachen’s history before civil engineering and landscaping work for the new green space begins. Construction work on the future buildings in the Old Town district will follow later.

An urban space with plenty of greenery
: The Büchel Old Town district will become an urban space featuring inviting public areas and plenty of greenery, framed by new buildings for residential use, dining, exhibitions, and research. At the heart of the future Old Town district in the heart of the city center are the green neighborhood terraces. New paths, a plaza, and nature-inspired spaces featuring numerous species of trees and shrubs provide direct pathways and visual connections to the Old Town and the Bädersteig. Benches, play areas, and fitness stations invite visitors to linger, and the historic thermal water is brought to the surface in the form of a fountain.

Information Evening on
September 8: The Aachen Municipal Development Corporation (SEGA) invites all interested parties and residents to an information event on Tuesday, September 8, at 6:00 p.m. at the Platz für Demokratie on Büchel. In case of rain, the event will take place at the SEGA offices (Büchel 58/60, 1st floor).

City archaeologist Andreas Schaub provides an introduction to the history of Büchel and discusses the finds discovered there so far. In addition, Christoph Vogt, managing director of SEGA, offers insights into the construction process and the upcoming phases of construction.