| Traffic
and Parking Guidance System
Our aim is to enable guests and visitors to enjoy the historical Old
Town with its unique medieval ensemble with minimum stress and interference
from car traffic. In doing so, we address the preferences and requests
expressed by many visitors for years. Their input prompted us to install
the Traffic and Parking Guidance System in 1997.
The Traffic and Parking Guidance system reflects the wish of citizens
and guests to reduce automobile access to the Old Town of Monschau as
far as possible. While we do not advocate a "ban on cars" in
the Old Town, we acknowledge that too much traffic not only affects the
quality of life in the district's narrow streets and alleys but may also
jeopardize the integrity of its historical buildings. The medieval core
of our city can handle only limited amounts of motor vehicles, so we had
to balance the needs of residents and tourists with those of our architectural
heritage.
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Easy parking in Monschau |
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 Large-size
information panels show arriving visitors well in advance how to
best reach the extensive parking facilities situated near the Old
Town.
A so-called "dynamic" signage system keeps drivers informed
of where, and for how many vehicles, parking is still available.
Visitors not familiar with the layout of our town can thus be sure
to find parking without an overlong search.
Our four large visitor parking lots are linked to the Old Town
by short and attractive walks. Any Old Town destination can be reached
on foot from here in just a few minutes.
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Information on the individual parking facilities: |
| Seidenfabrik multistorey
car park:: |
Capacity: 87 vehicles
Open 24 hours a day, fee-based parking
Per hour or part-hour: € 1,50
Full-day fee: € 5.00, night fee € 1,00 |
| Burgau parking lot: |
Capacity: 326 vehicles |
| Aukloster parking lot: |
Capacity: 93 vehicles
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., fee-based
Per hour or part hour: € 1,50
Full-day fee: € 5.00 |
Hotel guests can obtain a Parking Card at favourable rates from
their accommodation operator or from Monschau Touristik.
If you must nevertheless take your car into the Old Town centre,
please observe the special vehicle access regulations in force:
At certain times of the day and for certain seasonal periods, access
by passenger car is restricted to a specific group of individuals
(Monschau Card holders).
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When is the Access Control System in operation? |
During the day from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m.
- from May 1 through to October 3 on Saturdays, Sundays and legal
holidays
- every day from July 13 through to August 31
- on Carnival Sunday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
on Christmas Market days during market opening hours
during special events |
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How do I know that the Access Control System is
active? |
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Access control machines are installed at the three Old Town access
roads, i.e., St. Vither Strasse (Burgau), Laufenstrasse (Seidenfabrik
multistorey car park), and Eschbachstrasse (Aukloster parking lot).
Traffic lights and red-green control lamps indicate whether the
system is active and which traffic participants are entitled to
pass.
System inactive - "Access for residents only" - lights
off
System active - "Access restricted to Monschau Card holders"-
red light
When the system is in operation, Monschau Card holders can insert
their card into the control device to request free thoroughfare.
In emergency cases or for special purposes, a "short time visitor"
ticket can be obtained free of charge from the machine even by non-cardholders.
Unauthorized access will be registered by the system as an infringement
of traffic regulations (violation of traffic signs under section
250 of the Traffic Code) that is subject to a fine. Prosecution
for an offence against public order will be initiated automatically.
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Who receives a Monschau Card? |
- Old Town residents
- Merchants and business operators as well as owners or lessees
of garages and private parking space within the Old Town
- Individuals gainfully employed in the Old Town district
- Monschau Old Town district parishioners (i.e., church members)
- Taxis, utility and postal services, emergency services, craftsmen,
etc.
- Delivery vehicle operators
- Other vehicle owners with duly substantiated access needs
- Hotel guests can obtain a "short visit" ticket at
the access control machines free of charge
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Where to obtain the Monschau Card and detailed information
on the Traffic and Parking Guidance System: |
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For information, contact the City of Monschau, Office of Public
Order (Ordnungsamt), Town Hall
Laufenstraße 84
Room 115
phone 02472 / 81-224
Alternatively, enquiries can be e-mailed to
margret.schmitz@stadt.monschau.de
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