Jülich

Jülich is a town located in the western part of Germany, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It lies in the district of Düren, close to the border with the Netherlands. The town is situated on the Rur river, a tributary of the Meuse. Historically, Jülich was the capital of the Duchy of Jülich, a significant territory in the Holy Roman Empire. This historical importance is reflected in its name, which gave rise to the region known as the Jülich-Cleves-Berg.

The most prominent landmark in Jülich is the Jülich Citadel, a Renaissance fortress built in the 16th century. It now houses the Museum Zitadelle Jülich, which showcases the history of the town and the region. Another notable site is the Propsteikirche St. Mariä Himmelfahrt, the main Catholic parish church.

In modern times, Jülich is recognized for its research facilities. The Forschungszentrum Jülich (Jülich Research Centre) is one of Europe's largest interdisciplinary research institutions, focusing on areas such as energy, environment, and health. The town also has a small university campus affiliated with the Aachen University of Applied Sciences. Jülich's economy is influenced by its research sector, as well as by agriculture and small to medium-sized enterprises. The town benefits from its strategic location, offering good transport links to major cities like Aachen and Cologne.