Jori Klomp (31) is a three-country man. He grew up in Belgium, studied in the Netherlands, in Maastricht and Utrecht at the conservatory, and in 2018 started working as a choral conductor in Germany, in Aachen, where he lived for a few years. Jori Klomp still works at the opera in Aachen, but also at Opera Zuid in Maastricht and as guest conductor at Opera De Munt in Brussels, again in the three countries. ‘It remains special, this border region, where I drive from one country to another every day without thinking about it,’ he says, ‘but a city like Aachen is also unmistakably German. Aachen has always been prosperous and rich, which is easy to see. And it is a historic city of course, with that Charlemagne history. He had the cathedral built in the 8th century. I see Aachen as a perfect day trip city, although there are relatively few Dutch tourists here. How strange is that?’
Beautiful Manon
Jori Klomp: ‘Theatre Aachen, my location, is a classic 19th-century cultural temple with columns. I conduct the opera choir there. What’s on the agenda for next fall? Le nozze di Figaro from Mozart, Stiffelio from Verdi, Wozzeck van Berg and my beloved manon by Massenet, beautiful, French music. Opera is quite affordable here and not so elitist, there are plenty of young people coming. Next year I can do the High Messe conducting Bach in the Dom, a challenge that I look forward to intensely.’
Theater AachenTheaterplatz 1
Coffee 1, 2, 3
‘Next to the theater is a popular coffee café: Nela’s. For slowly poured filter coffee or a breakfast with granola or a fried egg. Other coffee shops: Baristinho, nice café on Kleinmarschierstraße, and Plum’s small shop, which has been roasting coffee in Aachen since 1820. They sell very good coffee and beans there.’
Nela’s Coffee & KitchenTheaterplatz 5
baristinhoKleinmarschierstrasse 48-52
Plum’s CoffeeKorbergasse 14
Massaman
‘The Sukhothai restaurant is also around the corner from Theater Aachen. There are a remarkable number of Asian restaurants in Aachen and this is my all-time favorite. The Thai massaman curry, with warm spices such as cinnamon and cardamom, is delicious.’
SukhothaiWirichsbongardstrasse 19-21
Court, Dom, source
‘Everyone goes there, but I wouldn’t miss the city center of Aachen. The Katschhof, the main square, is bordered on one side by the Dom and on the other by the imposing Gothic town hall. Aachen Cathedral remains incredible. In the chapel, look up at the vaults covered with golden and deep blue oriental mosaics, enchanting. Aachen’s other main attraction is nearby: the Elisenbrunnen, the hot spring with almost hot, sulphurous water. It can be felt and smelled in an open building with Greek columns. Among the illustrious visitors of the well over the centuries, it is written on a memorial stone: ‘Willem von Oranien, Erbstatthalter der Niederlande.’
Aachen CathedralDomhof 1
ElisenbrunnenFriedrich-Wilhelm-Platz
healing water
‘The hot springs have always been important for Aachen, the spring water is said to have a beneficial effect and the Romans were already in them. And it still can. Aachen has the beautiful Carolus Thermen, I’ve been often. Immediately Heilquelle to bathe in the spring water, but they also have saunas and a hammam.’
Carolus ThermenPassstrasse 79
have a drink
‘Not far from the Dom is a modern, dark gin bar with a hundred types of gin, the Dry Bar, for a fantastic drink in the evening. Nearby is the even hipper and more modern beer pub The Wingman, with a large beer list and an extensive choice of whisky, rum, tequila and shots.’
Dry BarKockerellstrasse 15
The WingmanAnnuntiatenbach 3
Alternative cafe
‘This is something completely different and it also belongs to Aachen: an alternative living room café, a cult place that has been around for more than forty years: Café Kittel. Very German vintage charm. Just as nice to sit in the evening with a large glass of draft beer.’
Cafe Kittel, Pontstrasse 39
day snack
‘What you can do well in Aachen, secret tip of mine, is somewhere Tagesoriented lunch, a hot lunch, for only 6, 7 or 8 euros. I prefer something traditional, with potatoes and meatballs or something. Bee kneipe Last Exit, they have two delicious Tagesfocused dishes every day. They also prepare poké bowls and pasta to take away.’
Last ExitKrakowstrasse 1
Walking to Belgium
‘Aachen outdoor pool, Freibad as it is called here, Hangeweiher, is located near a park and a lake with rental boats. The park is quiet and nice to hang out and have a drink. Also nice: walk from Hangeweiher into the Aachener Wald, past the tennis club. Several hiking trails are possible in the forest. Before you know it, you’ll be taking a few steps in Belgium. Beautiful forest, dense nature, hills, viewpoints in between.’
hangeweiherAm Hangeweiher 32
Umbrella factory
‘I love the Ludwig Forum. Formerly an umbrella factory, it is now a museum with a large collection of pop art and many very modern works. Concerts are often given. Special building, with an art garden behind it.’
Ludwig Forum AachenJülicher Strasse 97-109
Three-Country Point
‘Very well known, but personally I still think it’s magical, the three-country point, only about twenty minutes away. The place where the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany intersect, you can feel the European history and the specialness of the region. It is a good starting point for a walk in the hilly and wooded area.’
Three-Country Point, Route des Trois Bornes, Vaals