Monschau is a city in the region of Aachen. Its name is based on the Monschau Castle on the close hillside. Half-timbered houses and narrow streets are typical for the medieval town. Due to the weavers industry in the 17th and 18th century, Monschau gained wealth which can still be identified by magnificent town houses within the historical center. Since the city is far of thoroughfares and has been mainly untroubled by war damages, most of the half-timbered houses are originally preserved and round about 300 houses are nowadays protected as historic monuments.
As you can see on the picture, the river Rur flows directly on the house’s bases. Cafés and restaurants are located within this medieval scenery, hence Monschau is a popular destination for tourists of the low mountain range of the Eifel.
Meanwhile this street front also forms the northern front of the marketsquare of Monschau, as the river flows directly along the square.
