• The day traditionally begins with a Pontifical Mass in Aachen Cathedral and the General Assembly of the Karlsschützen Guild in the Coronation Hall of Aachen Town Hall.
• Visitors can look forward to an informal celebration with traditional specialties in the town hall from 11 am.
• In addition to the Coronation Hall, you can also visit the old office of the Lord Mayor, the Council Chamber, the White Hall, the Peace Hall, the Workmaster's Kitchen and the Workmaster's Court as well as the entrance hall of the Town Hall.

For many years, the Charlemagne Festival has been celebrated in Aachen on the last Sunday of January to mark the anniversary of Emperor Charlemagne's death - this year on Sunday, January 25. The day begins at 10 a.m. with a pontifical mass in the cathedral, at which H.E. Professor Dr. Johan Bonny, Bishop of Antwerp, will be the main celebrant. This will be followed by the General Assembly of the Karlsschützen Guild in the Coronation Hall of Aachen Town Hall and a short reception.

Charlemagne sausage, green coal stew and a Charlemagne's orb
The festival to mark the 1,212th anniversary of Charlemagne's death will culminate in a colorful medieval hustle and bustle in Aachen's Town Hall from 11 a.m. onwards. The Öcher Duemjroefe, the Limburg Knights, the city riders, Arnd Jansen with his saker falcon, the juggler Jeremias and, of course, the Aachen Aixtra butchers, who will once again be offering their famous medieval Karlswurst sausage, a green coal stew and the Karls-Reichsapfel as a dessert. Free guided tours of the town hall will be offered throughout the day.

Frescoes with scenes from the life of Charlemagne
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aachen Town Hall will be open to visitors free of charge during the Charlemagne Festival. The town hall is a stop on the Route Charlemagne. The presentations of this exhibition project can therefore also be viewed at the Charlemagne Festival. In the choir bay of the Coronation Hall, for example, the largest historical paintings of the Romantic period from the 19th century, the frescoes by the Aachen artist Alfred Rethel, can be seen with their legendary and historical scenes from the life of Charlemagne. The city's new Golden Book is also presented in a display case.

Hidden rooms
In addition to the Coronation Hall, the old office of the Lord Mayor, the Council Chamber, the White Hall, the Peace Hall, the Workmaster's Kitchen and the Workmaster's Court as well as the entrance hall of the Town Hall can also be visited. Visitors can therefore also see rooms that are hidden from them on other days.

The guided tours:

Guided tour of the town hall
Tour guide: Michael Hippler
Time: 12:00 - 12:45
Meeting point: Town hall foyer
Group size: 20 people

Crowned heads and democratic culture? The imperial portraits in the council chamber of the town hall
Tour guide: Dr. Frank Pohle
Time: 12:30 - 13:15
Meeting point: Foyer town hall
Group size: 20 people

Guided tour of the town hall
Tour guide: Dr. Peter Breuer Time: 14:00 - 14:45 Meeting point: Foyer town hall Group size: 20 people Peter Breuer
Time: 14:00 - 14:45
Meeting point: Foyer Rathaus
Group size: 20 people

Guided tour of the town hall - family tour
Tour guide: Rolf Brück
Time: 15:00 - 15:45
Meeting point: Foyer Rathaus
Group size: 20 people

Guided tour of the town hall
Tour guide: Karin Schöler
Time: 16:00 - 16:45
Meeting point: Foyer Town Hall
Group size: 20 people

Further free guided tours with registration through the Granus Tower and the Grashaus are offered by and with Frank Pohle (head of the Route Charlemagne) and Julia Samp:

Guided tour of the Granus Tower, 10 a.m., NRW City of Aachen participation, registration required, places limited. Info: https://beteiligung.nrw.de/k/1021260

Guided tour of the Granus Tower, 11.30 am. Participation NRW City of Aachen, registration required, places limited. Info: https://beteiligung.nrw.de/k/1021260

Guided tour of the Grashaus, 3:30 pm. Participation NRW City of Aachen, registration required. Info: https://beteiligung.nrw.de/k/1021276

Registration for the free guided tours is possible from Monday, January 19, 7 a.m., under the links provided above in the participation portal.