Where is the city of Magdeburg? Magdeburg is the oldest city in eastern Germany. Places for entertainment and shopping in Magdeburg

The Central German Canal connects it with the Rhine and Ruhr rivers.

It stands on the flat banks of the river, in many places overgrown with trees, descending directly to the water with a green border. There is generally a lot of greenery here - large parks, spacious fields and modest squares between residential buildings.

Story

The museum houses stone axes made in these places by Early Paleolithic people about 150 thousand years ago. At the end of the Bronze Age and at the beginning of the Iron Age, the area was inhabited by Celts, in 1 thousand BC. e. replaced by Germans who came from the north. In the 3rd century. The Saxons settled here and created a tribal duchy. Saxon Wars 772-804 ended with the submission of the Saxons to the Frankish king Charlemagne.

And already in 805 the first written mention of Magdeburg as Magadoburg appears. At that time it consisted of two streets and a small number of residential buildings in the area of the old bridge over the Elbe. Intending to make it an outpost on the border of the kingdom, in 919 the first king of the East Frankish kingdom, Henry I the Birdcatcher, built strong fortifications to protect against the tribes of the Slavs and Hungarians.

Magdeburg began to play an important role in European politics starting in 929, when the son of Henry I - Otto I - married Edith, the daughter of the English king Edward the Elder, and Magdeburg became a wedding gift from his father-in-law to his young daughter-in-law.

In 936, Otto I became king of Germany, and in 962 - emperor of the Holy Roman Empire he created, making Magdeburg the imperial residence.

Its economic recovery began in 965: the Benedictine monastery of St. Mauritius received the right to hold a market, mint coins, and collect customs duties and taxes. Its influence increased even more when in 968 it became the center of an archbishopric.

In 1035, Magdeburg received a patent to hold fairs, and traders from all over Europe flocked here. Crafts developed, corporations of tailors, tanners, and shoemakers were formed (high-quality shoe factories still operate there today).

Local businessmen no longer wanted the power of the archbishop. Thus, gradually, by 1188, the first city law in Europe - Magdeburg law - was formed. The townspeople elected the magistrate, appointed the burgomaster and the staff of municipal institutions, and determined the rules of trade. Taking this as a model, Magdeburg law spread throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

In the 13th century The city had 20 thousand inhabitants, it is one of the largest in the empire. From 1295 (and until 1666) it was a member of the Hanseatic League of German cities and was called the “grain house of the Hanse,” having a monopoly on grain trading on the middle Elbe.

In the first half of the 16th century. sided with Martin Luther, abandoning Catholicism and gaining a reputation as a stronghold of Protestantism.

The economy was seriously undermined by the Thirty Years' War of 1618-1648: in 1631, the troops of the Catholic League almost completely destroyed it, about 30,000 inhabitants died.

It was subsequently besieged by the armies of Napoleon I Bonaparte in 1806, first by Prussian and then by Russian troops in 1813.

Since the 19th century it is one of the medium-sized German commercial and industrial cities.

During World War II, it was subjected to particularly intense bombing by Allied aircraft: military factories operated there. The old part was destroyed by 90%.

Since 1990, after the reunification of Germany, Magdeburg has been the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

The historical core of the city is the Old Market Square, to which streets flow from the north, west and south. And to the east is the Elbe embankment. In the old days, the streets were the end of trade roads that led to the fair in Magdeburg, and the Elbe was a river route, and it remained that way.

Under cathedral the ashes of the one without whom Magdeburg could have remained forever a quiet provincial German town are buried.

The historical center is the Old Town, stretching along the left bank of the Elbe. In the past, surrounded by fortified walls and towers. Today, ruins remain in the Fürstenwal area and part of the tower of St. Luke. The early Romanesque tower that underlies it is mentioned in the Magdeburg Chronicle of 1279. Subsequently, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today it houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the physicist Otto von Guericke, who glorified the city.

In the north of the Old Town is the main Old Market Square. In 1283, a town hall was built on it. During the Thirty Years' War it was destroyed and restored only in 1945, preserving the architecture of the 17th century. The composition of the town hall highlights the ancient bronze gates and the bell tower with 47 bells.

In front of the town hall in the stone rotunda is a bronze gilded equestrian statue, presumably of Emperor Otto I the Great. The townspeople nicknamed her the Magdeburg Horseman. This is a copy of the original. The original is in the Historical and Cultural Museum, in the hall of Emperor Otto.

Not far from the town hall is the Church of St. John, built in the early 12th century. It is considered the oldest temple here (the first mention dates back to 941), although after the past wars nothing survived from the early Romanesque building, and now it is gothic building with numerous alterations and reconstructions. After restoration in the 1990s. a concert and ceremonial hall has been opened there.

In the south is Cathedral Square, on which stands the architectural symbol of Magdeburg - the Cathedral of Saints Mauritius and Catherine, considered one of the earliest Gothic buildings in Germany. In 937, the future Holy Roman Emperor Otto I founded the monastery of St. Mauritius, and in 950 began construction of the residence and cathedral. It was built over several centuries, the first building burned down, the second was completed at the beginning of the 14th century. and then further construction was completed in the 16th century. The architecture of the cathedral - the only one remaining from the early monastic complex - contains both High German Gothic and - reflecting the periods of its construction - features of Late Romanesque and all stages of the development of Gothic architecture.

The cathedral houses numerous works of art and often hosts concerts of sacred music. Here, in the crypt under the altar, is the burial of King Otto I the Great, from whom the glory and wealth of Magdeburg began, and the sarcophagus of his first wife Edith. Two towers about 100 m high appeared in 1477. The work was completed in 1520 with the erection of an ornamental cross on the north tower. The cathedral hosts concerts of sacred music, including on the organ installed in 2008.

There are buildings of rather strange architecture or intricately painted ones. They appeared relatively recently: for example, the Green Citadel. This is probably how residents are trying to get rid of the dull and faceless architectural heritage of the GDR era: after World War II, the city was built according to standard designs. There are also several very unusual fountains - with devils, goats and birds. And in Magdeburg there are many statues with naked girls - a visual and sensual reminder of one of the versions of the origin of its name.

Economically, Magdeburg is the center of heavy engineering in Germany, the leather, footwear and clothing industries, a major transport hub and River port.

general information

Location : northeast Germany.
Administrative location and status : administrative center of Saxony-Anhalt.
Administrative division : 40 districts.
First mention : 805 g.
Language: German.
Ethnic composition : Germans.
Religions: Protestantism, Catholicism, Islam, atheism.
Currency unit : euro.
Nearest major airports : in Berlin and Leipzig.

Numbers

Square: 200.95 km 2 .
Population: 235,723 people (2015).
Population density : 1173 people/km 2 .
The most high point : 55 m (center).
Cathedral : length - 120 m, ceiling height - 32 m, height of the North tower - 104 m (South - 99.25 m).

Climate and weather

Moderate oceanic with continental features.
Average January temperature : -0.5°C.
Average temperature in July : +17.5°C.
Average annual precipitation : about 500 mm.
Average annual relative humidity : 65-75%.

Economy

Industry: electrical engineering, metalworking, precision instrument making, chemical (paint and varnish), pharmaceutical, light (leather and footwear, sewing), food.
Transport hub and river port.
Services sector: tourism, transport, trade.

Attractions

Historical

Remains of the Kleve bastion (XVI century)

St. Luke's Tower (restored 1632, rebuilt 1900)

Cult

Early Gothic Cathedral of St. Mauritius and Catherine (1209-1520)

Gothic Walloon Church (founded 1285, rebuilt 1366)

Chapel of Mary Magdalene (founded in 1315, reconstruction at the beginning of the 18th century and after 1945)

Church of St. John (restored after 1945, restored in the 1990s)

Architectural

Old Town Hall (reconstruction 1960-1970s)

Millennium Tower (exhibition halls, 1999)

Star Bridge (2004)

Experimental residential building "Green Citadel" (2005)

Old Market Square, Cathedral Square and Hasselbach Square

Cultural

In 1657, an experiment was conducted in Magdeburg that clearly demonstrated the existence of air pressure. A similar experiment was carried out earlier, but in the history of science it remained known as the Magdeburg Hemisphere. The German physicist Otto von Guericke (1602-1686) pumped air out of the cavity between two copper hemispheres with a diameter of 35.5 cm folded together. The pressure of the external atmosphere pressed the hemispheres so tightly against each other that 16 horses, 8 each, could not tear them apart. on everyone's part. The original hemispheres are kept in the Deutsches Museum in Munich. Their copies are placed like monuments on pedestals in different areas.

There is no consensus of opinion in the scientific community regarding the interpretation of the meaning of the name Magadoburg. It is not even clear from what language it should be translated. Some suggest using Frankish dialects, and then the name can be understood as “big (powerful) castle.” A more widespread version of the translation is from Old High German, and then it would mean “Maiden City”: from “magat” (which also means “nymph”).

Having lost tax income and virtually all power in the city, the archbishops opposed Magdeburg Law. Conflicts arose. In 1325, for example, Archbishop Burchard III was killed. It ended with the clergy retreating, and in 1503 Archbishop Ernst II of Saxony moved his residence from Magdeburg to Halle.

Holy Roman Emperor Otto I the Great claimed succession to the Roman emperors, which he sought to emphasize in any possible way. Thus, he ordered columns from ancient times to be delivered to the Magdeburg Cathedral and installed in the choir of the cathedral.

Above Heaven's Gate- at the northern entrance of the cathedral there is a stone image of a shepherd and dogs. Legend says that in the second half of the 13th century. The construction of the cathedral stopped due to lack of funds, but was resumed thanks to the gold treasure found by the shepherd Thomas Coppele. In gratitude, his image is placed above the entrance to the cathedral.

Magdeburg Roland is a sandstone figure 4.8 m high. Behind his back, for contrast, is a small figurine of Till Eulenspiegel, a hero of medieval Dutch and German folklore.

Everyone has heard about Magdeburg, even those who do not know what country it is in. First of all, thanks to the Magdeburg Law - the autonomy that individual cities received, and which was named after the laws formed in Magdeburg in the 13th century.

Magdeburg is also known as the birthplace of the German physicist, engineer and philosopher Otto von Guericke. In 1650, he invented vacuum pumping of air, which is now used at every step. And in 1654, he conducted a famous experiment with the Magdeburg hemispheres, which many read about in physics textbooks. Two copper hemispheres were connected and the air was pumped out of them. Eight horses on each side were unable to tear the hemispheres apart, and thus the existence of atmospheric pressure was proven. There are monuments to the scientist in the city, and hemispheres can also be found everywhere, such symbols of the city. The original ones are kept in the German Museum in Munich.

Emperor Otto I the Great is also associated with the city, who chose it as his residence and founded a Benedictine monastery in 937.

The city was completely destroyed in 1945, only Dresden suffered more severely. Most of the buildings in the center were built during the GDR era and the “Soviet” trace is clearly visible in them.

Some large historical buildings have survived, although they were badly damaged. Now cathedrals and churches are the only islands of history in the old city.

However, many Soviet-era buildings are being renovated. The updated facades look much better.

The task of building the majestic Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Mauritius and St. Catherine) was given by Otto I the Great in 955. Here he married his wife and soon died. His tomb is located in the cathedral. In 1207, the original building was destroyed by fire and in 1209 construction began on a new Gothic cathedral. Upstairs there is Observation deck, but you can only get in as part of organized excursion, which takes place a couple of times a day.

The Church of St. John (941) is the oldest in the city. Has been preserved since then West Side and the Gothic rear church. Martin Luther once preached here. There is an observation deck at the top.

On the road to the station there is a monument to Igor Belikov. At that time he was a Soviet military man and served in a neighboring city. On the morning of March 13, 1969, Belikov arrived in Magdeburg and, walking along the empty streets, saw a little girl who had almost fallen out of a 6th floor window. Having reached the house, he managed to catch her in his overcoat. Now Igor Belikov lives in Lugansk and is an honorary resident of Magdeburg, he keeps in touch with Katherine, who is now 48 years old (2013).

If you cross the Elbe across the bridge, you can look at Old city from a new angle.

Drone photo

The Hubbrücke Bridge was abandoned a few years ago, but now you can walk along it.

IN last years A new, modern area has appeared near the bridge. Magdeburg is being built very actively.

Here, attention is drawn to the huge graffiti depicting the Elbe River and all the cities through which it flows.

An interesting monument with a clock showing the time in different cities of the world.

The city has a new attraction, built in 2005 - the Green Citadel by the architect Hundertwasser, about it.
More photos of Magdeburg

Magdeburg is a city at the intersection of the Elbe canals, has a large inland port and is an industrial and shopping center. The bombing of World War II and the socialist system affected the appearance of Magdeburg, and only a few buildings remained of its former luxury.

Founded in 1200, it remains one of the oldest German cities and is home to Germany's first Gothic cathedral. It is also the second greenest city in the country. Like Magdeburg itself, the river has changed significantly. The Elbe is now an important artery lined with beaches, cafes, bars, beer gardens and cycling paths.

View of the architecture of Magdeburg, in the foreground is the sculpture “Year ’65” by Jenny Mucci-Wigmann, Germany (Photo© Hoger / commons.wikimedia.org / License CC-BY-SA-3.0-DE)

Overview of the main attractions of Magdeburg

Due to severe destruction in 1631 during the Thirty Years' War and during the Second World War, Magdeburg retains significantly fewer historical attractions than others German cities. Many monuments of architecture, art and culture were destroyed. Only thanks to large financial investments were monuments of architecture and art restored, including the city hall, the Magdeburg Horseman, the cathedral or monastery of Our Lady.

Cathedral in Magdeburg, Germany (Photo© Torsten Maue / commons.wikimedia.org / License CC-BY-SA-2.0)

Popular places to eat in Magdeburg

Local culinary favorites include pork knuckle with sauerkraut, mashed peas and boiled potatoes, onion sausage, dark gravy with mixed mince and baked potatoes, and Pottsuse, a mixture of pork, lard and spices.

Things to do in Magdeburg

City of Magdeburg on the banks of the Elbe River, Germany (Photo above © Carlarocaoporto / commons.wikimedia.org / License CC-BY-SA-3.0)

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Magdeburg is a famous city located on the territory of the former GDR. This city has rich history associated with international wars and religions. Architectural monuments such as the Imperial Cathedral, famous for its grandeur, and the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, testify to the pre-existing wealth of the imperial city.

Geographical location of Magdeburg

Magdeburg is the capital of the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt, characterized by its greenery and has twenty picturesque parks.

Climate of Magdeburg

The climate in these places is continental and temperate. The weather is no different from the rest central regions Germany. The average temperature here in summer is +220C, and in winter - zero temperature.

Historical information about Magdeburg

Magdeburg was first mentioned in historical information have been meeting since 805. Here the city passes through as a trading post. A Benedictine monastery was founded here by Emperor Otto I in 937. Adalbert-Vojtech studied at the MacDeburg Cathedral School for ten years (970-980) under the leadership of Adalbert of Magdeburg.

In the 11th century (1013) the city was sacked by the Polish king Boleslaw I the Brave. Thanks to its participation in the League of Schmalkalden, Magdeburg was besieged by the troops of Moritz of Saxony for ten months (October 1550 - August 1551), and was eventually forced to accept an enemy garrison.

During the Thirty Years' War, Magdeburg was besieged by Wallestein's troops for seven months (1629). It was only in 1631 that the troops of the imperial commander Tilly were able to take the city by storm. Having burst into the city, the imperials committed outrages and exterminated the townspeople. As a result, Magdeburg turned into a pile of ash.

Its religious life also played an important role in the development of the city. Thus, after the founding of the city in 968, the Magdeburg archbishopric was formed, whose representatives constantly fought with their neighbors, the Slavs and the Brandenburg margraves.

Already at the end of the 15th century, the archiepiscopal region had two parts, which were divided by the possessions of Anhalt, and had total area 5.4 thousand sq. km. By the 16th century the office of archbishop was electoral. A similar appointment system applied to Magdeburg administrators. In the form of a duchy, the Archbishopric of Magdeburg was annexed to Brandenburg in 1648, which received full power only in 1680.

In the 19th century (1806), the city was again subject to sieges, now by the French corps of Ney. At the same time, two sieges were unsuccessful, and on the third Magdeburg was forced to surrender. Occupied by the French, the city was attacked by Prussian and then Russian troops. The blockade was lifted only after a truce was concluded.

In 1814, Magdeburg was again under siege, but was cleared only in May by the French after receiving news of the capture of Paris.

During World War II, the city already had 350 thousand inhabitants. During this period, it suffered greatly from Allied bombing, due to which the northern outskirts of Magdeburg were almost completely destroyed.

After the war, the buildings that survived the bombing were dismantled, and only some buildings near the Cathedral could be preserved in their pre-war condition. Before the reunification of Germany (1990), Magdeburg was the center of the district of the same name and was located on the territory of the GDR. Subsequently, the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt is formed, the capital of which is Magdeburg. At the same time, the city center is being formed only in a modern style.

In 1994, Magdeburg becomes the seat of a diocese.

Sights of Magdeburg

In Magdeburg there was initially a division into two parts: “spiritual” and “secular”. This same division has persisted to this day. In the “secular” area there is the Market Square with an early Baroque town hall on two floors, dating from the 17th century. Directly in front of the Town Hall, under the stone canopy itself, stands the guardian of the city - Roland.

Back in the Middle Ages, it was customary to install a statue of the European hero-knight Roland in the main square, called upon to protect the city from wars or plague. Roland was also considered to be a symbol of the city's justice. The sculpture of Roland in Magdeburg dates from 1240.

In the southern part of the city there is a “monastic” part, which is represented by the presence of the Cathedral and the Monastery of St. Mary, which are the pearl of German Romanesque. These complexes date back to the construction of the 11th - 13th centuries and form a significant part of the German tourist route called the Romanica Road. Both the Cathedral and the monastery are famous for their organ concerts. The exclusivity of the Cathedral is represented by the rich interior decoration - the carved oak choir and the sculptural design of the cathedral portals.

On the peninsula between the old and new currents of the Elbe, opposite the Old Town, there is the beautiful Rothehorn city park, created at the end of the 19th century.

Excursions around Magdeburg

City tours will be provided great amount impressions. A Gothic cathedral, which is central in Germany, was erected here, and the fairly ancient Hanseatic city of Stendal is also well preserved. There are other buildings in Magdeburg that attract the interest of tourists.

Wonderful places for tourists to visit are located directly in the city itself. So, right on the Domfelsen rocks (translated as “cathedral rocks”) is the oldest building in the city, founded by Emperor Otto - the Cathedral of St. Catherine and Mauritius. Once upon a time, the cathedral, together with Kaiserpatz Square, was the center of the “Third Rome”.

The Historical and Cultural Museum houses a collection of crafts and art. This collection contains over 40 thousand archaeological finds and medieval values, 10 thousand exhibits from the history of the city, over 11 thousand medals and coins, about one and a half thousand military items, 800 furniture exhibits, over a thousand paintings, etc. Visiting the museum is allowed on any day except Monday.

The Technical Museum contains exhibits that tell the economic and social history of Magdeburg. The opening hours are the same as those of the historical and cultural museum.

Another rather interesting museum is located on the steamship Württemberg, which anchored near the island of Rothehorn after its last voyage along the Elbe (1974). In such a museum you can see interior spaces steamship, and also admire an exhibition about shipping on the Elbe.

The Museum of Art houses a permanent exhibition covering exhibits from ancient times to the modern era. Visitors can also see 20th-century sculpture and other modern art here.

In the Elbauenpark there is a 60 m high Millennium Tower called the Jarthauzendturm. It is the tallest wooden structure in Germany, containing five exhibition halls in which you can see the pyramids of Giza, an ancient Roman road, a medieval crane, fiberglass optical sensors, and a Newtonian mirror telescope. Visiting the museum is available from April to October, closed on Mondays.

The Museum of Art, located in the monastery of St. Mary, houses the famous exhibition hall of contemporary art from Saxony-Anhalt. It contains works by Anselmo, Castellani, Tzorio, Brelo, Holzner and Ikemura.

Places for entertainment and shopping in Magdeburg

The main places for shortening are the main shopping alleys (Breiter Weg, Ernst Reuther Allee) and the shopping arcades located on Halberstäter Strasse and the Sudenburg quarter.

How to get to Magdeburg

Magdeburg has an airport that accepts both domestic and international flights. Leipzig Airport is located just a hundred kilometers from the city. Also Magdeburg, thanks to federal highways and railway, has communication with the outside world.

Conclusion

Thus, Magdeburg is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Saxony-Anhalt, located on the Elbe River and has a rich history and cultural and architectural heritage. This city was considered to be one of the most important cities of the Middle Ages.

Holidays in Magdeburg provide an excellent opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of opposites that reigns in the city. At the same time, cultural and historical attractions will appear before guests in all their glory.

The most interesting sights of Magdeburg.

Cathedral of St. Catherine and Mauritius - one of the symbols of Magdeburg, a grandiose medieval Gothic cathedral. This is one of the largest sacred buildings in Germany and one of ancient masterpieces Gothic style. The foundation of the cathedral dates back to the 10th century, when Emperor Otto founded a Benedictine monastery here. The first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire brought many ancient relics from Northern Italy to the cathedral. Otto I was buried here in a stone sarcophagus. At the beginning of the 13th century, the church was badly damaged by a strong fire. In the 13th-14th centuries, the building was significantly rebuilt in the Gothic style and received high 100-meter towers. Inside you can see ancient Romanesque tombstones and early Gothic sculptures. Currently the church is Protestant.

The Monastery of Our Lady is an ancient monastery founded in the 11th century. It is part of the "Roman road". In the Middle Ages, the monastery belonged to the Norbertine order. Currently, it houses a museum that contains historical exhibitions from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

Church of St. Joanna is an ancient church founded in the first half of the 12th century. In 1131, the first three-nave Romanesque basilica was built, later rebuilt after several fires. There is an observation deck on the south tower. To climb to a height of 52 meters and enjoy the view of Magdeburg, you need to overcome more than 270 steps.

Town Hall - Historical building in the old town. The first town hall building was built in the 12th century. After the Thirty Years' War, the town hall was almost completely destroyed. The new building was built in the Italian and Dutch Renaissance style and was significantly rebuilt in the 19th century.

The Green Citadel is a striking landmark of Magdeburg, an ensemble of Baroque facades in a modern style. The complex was built in the early 2000s. There are restaurants, cafes, shops and a small hotel here.

South of the Elbe Bridge and close to the cathedral, you can find the remains of an old medieval fortress with two towers. The fortifications date back to the 15th century. The oldest surviving residential building is also located here.

Magdeburg is one of the greenest cities in Europe. Rothehorn City Park is one of the most beautiful garden landscapes in Germany and the green heart of the city. Located in a picturesque location on an island in the middle of the Elbe. It is a favorite place for residents and tourists.

Magdeburg is a city in Germany, located on the banks of the Elbe River, the capital of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt. Magdeburg has about two hundred thirty-five thousand inhabitants.

The first mention of Magdeburg in historical references dates back to 805. Here the city passes through as a trading post. A Benedictine monastery was founded here by Emperor Otto I in 937. Adalbert-Vojtech studied at the MacDeburg Cathedral School for ten years (970-980) under the leadership of Adalbert of Magdeburg.

Already at the end of the 15th century, the archiepiscopal region had two parts, which were divided by the possessions of Anhalt, and had a total area of 5.4 thousand square meters. km. By the 16th century the office of archbishop was electoral. A similar appointment system applied to Magdeburg administrators. In the form of a duchy, the Archbishopric of Magdeburg was annexed to Brandenburg in 1648, which received full power only in 1680.

In 1814, Magdeburg was again under siege, but was abandoned only in May by the French after receiving news of the capture of Paris.

Magdeburg often entered into alliances with cities. In 1315, a union was concluded between the cities of Magdeburg and Halberstadt. The city later joined the league of Saxon cities (from 1357, 1400 and 1416) and, together with Brunswick, was recognized as a suburb of Saxon cities within the Hanseatic League.

Town unions allowed for unhindered trade among their members. The city's prosperity was largely due to the Magdeburg staple law (“Stapelrecht”), which monopolized the grain trade on the middle Elbe. Because of its leading position in the sale of grain, the city was called the “Grain House of the Hansa”. His international trade relations during the era late Middle Ages extended to northern France, Flanders, England, Poland, Russia, Sweden and Norway.

The legal rules governing trade activities, along with the general law of Magdeburg, have been considered the basis of justice in many European countries for many centuries. For more than 800 years, Magdeburg Law has been considered an integral part of cultural heritage. Thanks to the Magdeburg Craftsmen's Guild, a law was created that, centuries later, became one of the most famous “Export Hits”.

Geographical location, good quality of goods and freedom of trade were decisive factors for strengthening trade relations. Until 1666, Magdeburg was part of the Hanseatic League, and in April 2003 the city rejoined the Hanseatic League.

Magdeburg is also known as the birthplace of the German physicist, engineer and philosopher Otto von Guericke.

In 1650, he invented vacuum pumping of air, which is now used at every step. And in 1654, he conducted a famous experiment with the Magdeburg hemispheres, which many read about in physics textbooks. Two copper hemispheres were connected and the air was pumped out of them. Eight horses on each side were unable to tear the hemispheres apart, and thus the existence of atmospheric pressure was proven. There are monuments to the scientist in the city, and hemispheres, symbols of the city, can be found everywhere. The original ones are kept in the German Museum in Munich.

In Magdeburg, the original division of the city into “secular” and “spiritual” parts has been preserved. In the “secular” area there is the Market Square with a two-story early Baroque town hall from the 17th century. In front of the Town Hall, under a stone canopy, stands Roland, the guardian of the city. This is the first one separately standing sculpture Germany, it dates back to 1240.

The “spiritual” part of the city is represented by numerous monasteries and churches, among them: the monastery of St. Mary, the Cathedral of St. Mauritius and St. Catherine. Magdeburg was the favorite residence of Emperor Otto I the Great, who became Holy Roman Emperor in 962. Otto I loved this city so much that he even presented it to his wife Edita as a marriage gift. Residents of Magdeburg carefully preserve the memory of “their Otto.” The emperor is buried in the city Cathedral of St. Mauritius and St. Catherine, a most valuable monument of history and culture. The powerful towers of the cathedral are visible from afar.

Magdeburg Cathedral is one of the most outstanding architectural monuments of Central Germany and is the first cathedral in Germany built in the Gothic style. The interior and portals of the cathedral are richly decorated with sculptural carvings. The cathedral is a recognized symbol of Magdeburg.

Thanks to these majestic buildings, Magdeburg is called the pearl of the “Romanesque Architecture Route” (Straße der Romanik). Opposite the Old Town, on a peninsula between the old and new flows of the Elbe, is the magnificent Rothehorn city park, laid out at the end of the 19th century.

Somewhat separated from the main attractions is the Otto von Guericke Museum. It occupies several floors of the research center of the same name. The entrance is free. The scientist’s office has been restored in the museum, and materials from his experiment with hemispheres are clearly presented.

The Magdeburg Bridge in Germany is a unique structure that serves not for cars and trains, but for barges, ships and pedestrians. This is the largest water bridge in Europe. It is of great practical importance for German inland navigation. The bridge provided unhindered communication between the inner Berlin port and industrial facilities on the Rhine. The Magdeburg Bridge passes over the Elbe and connects the country's two most important waterways - the Central German Canal and the Elbe-Havel Canal, and thus relieves ships of the need to make a long and sometimes dangerous journey along the river.

The construction of the bridge was planned at the beginning of the 20th century. By 1938, the first stage of the project was implemented. However, then the Second began World War, and a long break in work followed. They resumed only in 1997 and lasted for six years. In October 2003, the bridge was opened with the launch of the first barges across it. The length of the Magdeburg Bridge is 918 meters, of which 228 are over water and 690 are over land.

The richness of architectural decoration is also characteristic of another building on the Domplatz cathedral square: for residential complex"Green Citadel", the latest and perhaps most remarkable brainchild of the Austrian architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The complex, decorated in the recognizable Hundertwasser style, stands out against the background of the ancient walls of the cathedral and the spacious central square Magdeburg.

Magdeburg presents a colorful variety of architectural styles. City houses in Baroque, Art Nouveau, Post-Modern styles, as well as the architecture of Bruno Taut create an incredible cityscape.

Magdeburg is a very green city. Many majestic parks with ancient, incredible tall trees, such as Rothehorn City Park or Herrenkrug Park are ideal for long walks, bike rides or picnics.

Fans of theatre, literature and music in Magdeburg will find numerous and varied cultural events, often taking place not only in museums and salons. The city carefully preserves the memory of its natives - poet Erich Weinert, playwright Georg Kaiser and composer Georg Philipp Telemann - and continues their traditions. Unpredictable and capricious, Magdeburg is capable of touching the soul and captivating its guests forever. One of the opportunities to experience the charm of the city is to walk through the well-created cultural and entertainment landscape in the picturesque Elbauenpark.