OSN 2013 takes place in one of the most historical towns of Germany: in Aachen.

Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands. It is conveniently accessible from all directions by car and railway. Major airports in the vicinity are Cologne and Dusseldorf but also Frankfurt and Brussels are within easy to reach by fast trains.

Originally, Aachen has been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia where the Romans discovered hot sulfurous springs and established thermal baths. Even the name “Aachen” has got its etymology in the Old Germanic word “ahha”, which means water.

In the Middle Ages, Aachen got importance and fame thanks to Charlemagne. It was his favored residence and moreover the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. His throne in the Romanesque cathedral is recognized as UNESCO world heritage and still forms the heart of the old city, together with the Gothic town hall.

Nowadays, besides the historical part of the town, Aachen is famous for its University- RWTH Aachen University- one of Germany’s Universities of Excellence, especially with the focus on engineering sciences. Regarding this basis, Aachen is the perfect venue for OSN 2013.
The talks and discussions take place in the newest building of the RWTH University, called SuperC, which is directly in the center of the town and creates an excellent surrounding and atmosphere for the conference.