Monschau

(2 photos)
Just a couple of miles from the Belgian border, south of Aachen, the town of Monschau sits in a deep, narrow valley. We were told that this valley escaped destruction during intense battles in WW II, because it is so narrow that artillery and tank shells were fired across the valley, rather than down into Monschau.

Monschau is truly a town for a “stroll-around” — the Fachwerkhäuser (row of crooked half-timbered buildings) on the bank of the stream, is an excellent picture-spot.
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A slightly different view, in another year. We've been here several times.