Varnenum

Varnenum is an archaeological site with the remains of three Gallo-Roman temples built on a hilltop called Schildchen, roughly 300 meters east of St. Stephen's Church. The site shows stone foundations and open areas that once served religious functions for the local population.

The temple complex was built in the late first century and remained active until around the mid-fourth century, when Germanic invasions disrupted the region. Excavations have uncovered multiple building phases, showing how the site was modified and expanded over centuries.

This was a sacred place where local inhabitants made offerings to gods like Varneno and Sunuxal. The bronze votive tablets found here reveal how important this site was for the spiritual life of those who lived nearby.

The site is open year-round without entrance fees, making it easy to visit at any time. Parking is available nearby and buses serve the area from central Aachen, so reaching it requires no special planning.

Advanced geomagnetic surveys conducted from 2017 to 2019 revealed the complex was far larger than previously known, extending to include farming areas and links to ancient mining activities. This discovery showed how extensive the sacred center truly was.