Aachen： Aug. 24, 2026

 

I visited Aachen in western Germany. The city served as the base for Charlemagne (Karl der Große), a person who developed the foundations of Western Europe. Aachen Cathedral was the site where thirty German kings were crowned between the 10th and 16th centuries (many of whom became Holy Roman Emperors). The visit urged me to think about the history and present situation of Europe.

I visited Aachen on a day trip from Brussels. Located in the far west of Germany, the city borders both the Netherlands and Belgium. The national borders have changed repeatedly in the area throughout history.

Charlemagne was crowned King of the Franks in 768 and Roman Emperor in 800. He ruled over a vast area of ​​Western Europe — large parts of present-day France, Germany, and Italy — and is known as the "Father of Europe."

Construction of Aachen Cathedral began in 786 at Charlemagne's order. Over the subsequent millennium, the cathedral underwent numerous expansions and renovations. As a result, the building now has a unique fusion of architectural styles, including Carolingian (Pre-Romanesque), Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque. It is often referred to as a "patchwork cathedral."

The photo was taken from south. 

The photo was taken from western side of cathedral. (The top hopto was teken from north)

It is also renowned for its Byzantine-style mosaics (see the 3rd photo) and stained glass windows.

In 1978, the cathedral was registered as one of the first twelve World Heritage Sites.

There lies Charlemagne's golden shrine inside the cathedral. The shrine was made in 1215, 401 years after his death in Aachen in 814. However, the remains in the shrine is likely to be those of Charlemagne himself, according to scientific analysis. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

On the upper level stands the chair used for the coronation of German monarchs. Thirty kings and twelve queens were crowned there between 936 and 1531.

A treasury is located adjacent to the cathedral. Unfortunately, as I visited on Monday, I was closed.

 

The Town Hall stands facing the cathedral. Charlemagne's palace once stood here. A Christmas market is held in the square in front of the hall.

 

Monuments and sites associated with Charlemagne can be found throughout Europe. A statue of Charlemagne stands in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris (The photo was taken in May, 2024). The street in front of the European Commission in Brussels is named Boulevard Charlemagne. These landmarks serve as a reminder of the immense significance of Charlemagne in European history.

 

The city of Aachen retains a traditional atmosphere and has a compact, intimate feel.

Aachen has been known for its hot springs since Roman times, and Charlemagne himself was fond of them. Roman-era ruins can still be found in the city's parks.

 

There is a fountain (Elisa Fountain) in the corner of the park. Hot spring water flows ceaselessly.

 

Aachen is also famous as a venue for world-class equestrian competitions; the World Championships was held just before my visit, and some shops in the town displayed decorations welcoming the event.

Brussels： Aug. 23-27, 2026

Brussels is home to the headquarters of both the EU and NATO. I was stationed here over 30 years ago and have visited regularly since. My visit this time is the first one in a year.

A year ago, I sensed a heightened atmosphere of wartime tension and an increased focus on security due to the war in Ukraine. At Brussels Airport, I saw a sign saying "Welcome to Brussels, home of NATO." At an exhibition room of the European Commission, I saw message saying: "The last few years have been a sharp reminder of how fragile peace is." (Brussels: Aug. 23–25, 2025)

On this visit, the scope of concerns seemed to have been wider. A banner with a straightforward message "Democracy" hung at the European Commission headquarters. (See also the top photo)

Exhibits relating to Europe’s challenges, such as security, migration and refugees, global warming, and tariffs, were displayed in a section at the House of European History, which is run by the European Parliament. Metal lettering there displayed a message that may bring a important question on our historical perspective: "What we may be witnessing is the end of history as such."

There was a large European Parliament banner at the airport. It emphasized the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world. The details stressed the need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. (See the 2nd photo)

While I had encountered a pro-Palestine demonstration last year, I saw no protests regarding support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, or the war involving Iran during this visit. However, the Ukrainian flag was flying at the European Commission headquarters over the weekend, and a Palestinian flag was painted on a bridge along the canal in western Brussels.

 

Daily life appeared to be carrying on as usual. Grand Place and the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert were full of tourists. The Brussels Dance Festival was held in the square in front of the Bourse.

 

In the shopping district of the Merode area in eastern Brussels, I found the headquarters of Kpler, a company that provides global logistics data. It has become famous worldwide as it provide tracking data of tanker movements in the Persian Gulf. It was surprising for me that their headquarters was located in such an ordinary, local shopping street.

 

I visited some museum – Old Masters Museum, the Magritte Museum, and the Musical Instruments Museum.

The photo shows the room of the works by Bruegel at the Old Masters Museum. I felt the depth of the culture and the history -- from the Middle Ages to the present – in this land.