Raeren - the potters' village

Raeren is known far beyond its borders for pottery – and not only because of the annual Euregio-Ceramics Market in September. The district of Raeren has been a centre for the production and export of ceramic stoneware since the 15^th century. The geography is perfect for potting, a rich loamy earth, with plenty of clear running water and enough woodland to fire the kilns.

Ceramic-cemetery

In the 16^th and 17^th centuries up to 300 kilns were running at full output, but by the 19^th, Raeren's ceramics industry was beginning to die out. Today, archaeologists still stumble on regular ceramic-cemeteries, where earlier generations dumped their defective or damaged production.

Some of the finest examples from this period can be found at the pottery museum (Töpfereimuseum) in 14^th century, moated Raeren Castle. Indeed, the district of Raeren is rich in great houses and castles, and even ghosts may be sighted, on warm nights, under a full moon, wandering the haunted ruins of Eynatten.

The home of the "Vennbahn" (Fenland Railway)

Another of Raeren's treasures is its old railway station, the home of the "Vennbahn". This single-track railway was built at the end of the 19^th century to link Prussia with Lorraine. The rail was also strategically important in the war years for moving troops to and from the barracks and military range at Elsenborn in Bütgenbach. Until 2002 the Vennbahn still rocked tourists gently up through the High Fen.

Situation: In the West of the northern DG
Population: 9,868 (of which 45 % are Germans)
Area: 74.2 km² ha (P W-G)
Altitude: 200-600m
Localities: Eynatten, Hauset, Lichtenbusch, Raeren