Aachen's Centre Charlemagne to host industrial history exhibition

The Centre Charlemagne – Neues Stadtmuseum Aachen has announced a new exhibition titled ‘2.5 km Industriegeschichte. Die Jülicher Straße’. Running from September 12, 2026, to April 4, 2027, the exhibit aims to highlight a significant but often overlooked chapter of Aachen’s history: the industrial development along Jülicher Straße.

While Aachen is widely known for its cloth and needle production, the industry along this axis was instrumental in transforming the city into an international economic and technological center during the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition will explore the past, present, and future of this vital economic artery, showcasing how the proximity of the Wurm river provided essential water power for local businesses.

Cultural official Heinrich Brötz noted the unique dynamic of the area, where industrial history, modern production, digital advancement, and residential spaces coexist closely. Professor Dr. Frank Pohle, head of Route Charlemagne, emphasized that this industrialization fundamentally changed Aachen’s identity from a spa and bathing town to a major industrial hub.