The Monkey takes in the streets of Aachen. The city's greatest historical figure was undoubtedly Charlemagne, the late 8th and early 9th Century king of the Franks (a confederation of Germanic tribes). Charlemagne consolidated his grip on much of Western Europe in a series of wars, creating a centralized state stretching from the Netherlands to Spain and from France to Austria and parts of Germany and Italy. He became the Holy Roman Emperor in 800. In 824, Charlemagne was buried in Aachen's Cathedral, the belltower of which is visible in the background.

There's more to Aachen than Charlemagne. Aachen is a pleasant city near the border with Belgium and the Netherlands, and there's a lively multicultural air to the place. The Monkey also found this cluster of bold modern buildings, just near the old center, and decided to stop for a photograph.

Another shot of the Monkey in Monschau. The ruins of one of the village's hilltop fortresses are visible in the background.

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