Aachen’s Market Square is one of the places where the city’s history is most clearly evident. The 14th-century town hall stands on the site where parts of Charlemagne’s palace once stood, serving as a reminder of the political significance Aachen held for centuries. In front of the facade stands the Karl’s Fountain, whose origins date back to the early 17th century and which is one of the city’s most famous fountains. As you walk across the square, a scene of medieval alleys and classic townhouses unfolds, features that continue to shape the cityscape to this day.