The village of Raeren is located right on the Belgian-German border and it is the historical core of what is now the municipality of Raeren. The village is characterised by its rough stone architecture and still has its original appearance. The name Raeren comes from roden (meaning 'to clear land') and points to the fact that Raeren originated in an area that had been cleared in the Aachener Reichswald. The village was first mentioned in official documents in 1400, and was known throughout Europe as from the 15th century for its stoneware production, which reached its climax from the mid-16th to the 17th century. The best specimens of the stoneware produced in the many potteries are now to be found all over Europe in major and more minor museums. In the pottery museum at Raeren, the history of the Raeren potteries is documented in a clear and interesting way.
