Jülich is a small city situated between Aachen and Cologne. Samia works for the researchcenter in the city, where also a lot of our international friends live. Sometimes we like to go and relax a bit in Jülich, there it has some great leisure spots for a warm sunday! Let me take you on a sightseeing tour through Jülich! These are the three places to visit.
Hexenturm (city gate)
The Hexenturm is the only remaining city gate in Jülich. It was a part of the defenses of the city in the medieval times. In the tower there is a museum in case you want to visit, about the history of the city. The double towered gate is an eyecatcher. The defenses date back to the 14th century, with the unique roof of the Hexenturm dating back to the 17th century. The Hexenturm is also known as the Witch tower, dating back to medieval times when with trials used to be common. The gate is one of the few remaining monuments in Jülich after the city got almost completely destroyed by Allied bombings in 1944.
Citadel of Jülich
In Roman times Jülich was an important gateway between Maastricht and Cologne. The city was already fortified back then, with stone walls and several towers. The Citadel of Jülich dates back to the 13th and 14th century. It ensured Jülich to be fortified throughout the centuries to come. It has a rich history (in case you want to read about it, check out this blog). The fortifications still stand strong in the city center and survived several big wars. The walls have been restored to their former glory and for a small fee you can get a guided tour. The citadel is open during the whole week for visitors and has a beautiful square within the walls.
Brückenkopfpark
Brückenkopfpark is a huge park which has outdoor activities throughout the year. There is a small fee to enter in order to enjoy the park. Unfortunately I was a bit too late to enter, so the pictures are from the outside. Perfect for a family day to spend!
Jülich is a perfect getaway for a day. One last free tip in the area: is it a sunny day and you fancy a swim? In the area you can also find the Barmerer See which is a 10 minutes drive from the Citadel. This lake has a stunning view and some fresh water for you to cool down in :)!
Leave a Reply