Cities of Germany - Erfurt. Erfurt is a beautiful city in the center of Germany. Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Internal division

53 urban areas

Mayor Square Center height Population Density

758 people/km²

Timezone Telephone code Postcode Vehicle code Official code Official site

In ancient times, there were settlements of Germanic and Slavic tribes on the territory of the region. The first documentary mention of Erfurt "Erphesfurt" - "Erf Ford" (across the Gera River) dates back to 742. In that message, Archbishop Bonifacius of Mainz appeals to the Pope with a request to create a bishopric here.

In 1906, Erfurt already had 100 thousand inhabitants and was one of the largest cities in Germany. During the First World War, 3,579 Erfurt citizens died.

In 1946, Erfurt became the capital of the state of Thuringia. In 1949, Thuringia became part of the German Democratic Republic. In 1952, during the administrative reform carried out in the GDR, the state of Thuringia was abolished and divided into administrative districts, and Erfurt became the center of the administrative district of the same name.

In 1990, after the reunification of Germany and the restoration of the federal state of Thuringia, Erfurt again became its capital.

Attractions

Erfurt Cathedral and Severikirche

Erfurt has kept its medieval center intact. The city is famous for two temples - Erfurt Cathedral and Severikirche (Church of the Holy North), which stand side by side and together form the symbol of the city. Both church towers rise above the city landscape and are accessible thanks to the huge open staircase of Domstuven.

Another notable site is the Krämerbrücke, a bridge crossing the narrow river Gera. There are 32 residential buildings on the bridge. It was built in 1325 with a church on each bridgehead, one of which, the Egidenkirche (Church of St. Egidius), is still functional. Augustinerkloster is an old monastery of the Augustinian Order. Martin Luther attended university and lived in a monastery for several years after 1505.

The 19th-century Erfurt synagogue is considered the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe. It now functions as a museum displaying the Erfurt Treasures.

Science and education

University of Applied Sciences Erfurt

Erfurt University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1991. It is distinguished by its combination of scientific teaching and practical programs. During the winter semester 2008/09. About 4,600 students studied.

Faculties

• Faculty of Architecture
• Faculty of Construction and Conservation/Restoration
• Faculty of Building Engineering and Computer Science
• Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Forestry
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Economics, Logistics, Transport

University of Erfurt

The University of Erfurt was founded in 1994 and is thus the youngest public university in Germany. It positions itself as the successor to the historical university that existed from 1392 to 1816. The historical university is considered the third oldest university in Germany (after the universities of Heidelberg (1386) and Cologne (1388)). During the winter semester 2008/09. approximately 4,700 students were registered.

Faculties

• Faculty of Philosophy
• Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Education
• Catholic Theological Faculty
• Collegium named after Max Weber Center for Cultural and Social Scientific Research

Transport

The main mode of transport in the city is the tram (Strassenbahn/Stadtbahn). It performs the functions that in larger cities belong to the metro. There are six tram routes, all of which pass through the city center (Anger Square, the modern center of city life, which should not be confused with the historical center - Domplatz) and connect the main areas of Erfurt. Trams run on schedule, but may deviate from it, so at all stops there are electronic boards indicating how many minutes are left before the arrival of trams on each route. In addition to the tram routes, there is bus number 9 - the "city line", operating on the same principles, with electronic displays at all stops. The rest of the buses run according to an exact schedule, which is posted at each stop. Also, the timetable for each tram and bus route can be obtained free of charge from the central urban transport office on Anger Square. You can also buy tickets there - regular and season tickets. Also, tickets for city transport are sold from vending machines at almost all stops and from vending machines inside trams and buses.

There is a taxi service in the city. The main parking lot is near the main train station and bus station.

The main intercity and international transport in Erfurt is by rail. There is a modernly equipped main station (Hauptbahnhof), located in the city center and connected to all areas by tram and bus routes (tram tracks and bus routes pass directly through the station building). In 2009, Erfurt Station won the German-wide competition “Best Stations of the Year” (Bahnhofe des Jahres 2009) in the category of large cities.

Erfurt Airport (connected by tram number 4) performs mainly transit functions, is not very busy and is almost deserted most of the time. It operates flights to some cities in Germany and Europe and to selected countries outside Europe. There are no flights connecting it with Russia yet.

Long-distance bus service in Germany is poorly developed, until recently it was generally limited by law, which is why there is also no developed long-distance bus service in Erfurt. Local intercity routes originate from the bus station, located next to the main railway station. Near the bus station, the arrival point for buses of private Russian companies offering routes to Germany (mainly from Moscow and St. Petersburg) is also usually designated.

Gallery

Twin Cities

Links

• Official website (German) (English) (French)
• Erfurt City Panoramas - Panoramic Views and virtual Tours (German) (English)
• Kraemerbruecke (German) (English) (French) (Russian)
• Photos of World Cities. Germany. City of Erfurt. (Russian) (English) (Hebrew)
• Erfurt Thüringer Zoo website (German)
• Thueringen.ru - Erfurt. Information, attractions (Russian)

Districts in Thuringia

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Synonyms:

Erfurt is a city in central Germany, the administrative center of the federal state of Freistaat Thüringen (Thuringia). The first written mention of the settlement of Erphesfurt dates back to 742. The "Erf Ford" (across the Gera River) gave its name to the future city (similar to Frankfurt). Erfurt is a major educational center and the seat of the Catholic bishop. Unlike many other cities in Germany, Erfurt escaped major destruction during the last war.

After the war, Erfurt became part of East Germany. There are practically no migrants flooding Western European cities in Erfurt: they tend to settle in the economically more developed cities of the former West Germany. From this point of view, Erfurt can be called a truly German city, free of kebab shops and migrant shops.

A traveler who finds himself in Erfurt for the first time can be recommended to start exploring the city from Benediktplatz. The Tourist Information Center is located there. Here you can get a guidebook in Russian, a map of the city with attractions, and book an excursion. After this, the first attraction awaits tourists: after all, the information center is located a few steps from the entrance to Krämerbrücke.

Erfurt tourist information

Erfurt is generally a compact city that is easy to explore on foot. But you need to walk slowly: in the historical center almost every house, wall, door and window is originally decorated. If desired, the walking tour can be diluted with trips on nice city trams that fit well into the city environment. There are six tram routes running through the city center.

Erfurter Mariensdom – Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (on the left in the photo). The oldest building in the city began to be built in the second half of the 12th century. on what is now Cathedral Hill. At the end of the century, the wide main staircase Domstufen of 70 steps leading from Domplatz to it and Severikirche (on the right) was built. The towers of Erfurt Cathedral appeared a century after construction began. In the XIV century. The Romanesque building was expanded and reconstructed in the High Gothic style.

Erfurter Mariensdom

The architectural dominant of the cathedral is three elongated towers surrounded by pinnacles. In the middle, highest, tower there is a belfry. It still rings the largest medieval bell, the Gloriosa, famous for its purity of tone. Its diameter and height are 2.5 m each, and its weight is 11.5 tons.

The entrance to the cathedral at the top of the stairs is designed in the form of a triangle with two portals decorated with sculptures. On the left portal they depict Mary and the 12 apostles, and on the right they illustrate the Gospel parable about the wise and foolish virgins.

Inside the cathedral, the huge windows of the cathedral, covered with stained glass paintings from the 14th–15th centuries, attract attention. They form a single composition with a two-tiered main altar in the Baroque style, at the end of the 17th century. replacing the original Gothic. The top-tier painting depicts the Ascension of the Mother of God, and the lower one depicts the adoration of the Magi. On both sides of the paintings there are sculptures of the four evangelists and the apostles Peter and Paul.

Interior of the cathedral

Among the interior decorations, what stands out are the details preserved from the original Romanesque church. This is a Romanesque sculpture of the crowned Virgin Mary and Child, and a bronze candlestick in human size, dating from the 12th century. It is made in the form of a priest holding large candles in his raised hands.

The rows of oak seats in the choir, preserved from 1329, are of extraordinary artistic value. Their headboards are decorated with gospel scenes.

Address: Domstufen, 1. Opening hours: from 9:30 (on Sunday - from 13:30) to 17–18 hours. Directions: by tram No. 3, 4 and 6 to the Domplatz stop.

Severikirche is named after the 4th century Bishop of Ravenna. Severia (or North). In the 9th century. the Archbishop of Mainz transported his relics to the Benedictine monastery of Erfurt, located on the site of the current church. Similar to Erfurt Cathedral, the original Severikirche church was subjected to destruction in the 13th–14th centuries. reconstruction in the Gothic style. At the same time, a memorable stone sarcophagus with high reliefs depicting scenes from his life was built for the relics of the saint, his wife and daughter, and a statue of St. appeared on the central column of the main portal. North.

Sarcophagus of Saint Severus

The church suffered serious damage from a fire in the 15th century. During the subsequent restoration, new rooms appeared, and the towers acquired faceted, pointed domes. A belfry with five bells was placed in the tallest middle tower.

The interior decoration of the Severikirche is significantly inferior to the Cathedral. In addition to the sarcophagus, the 15th century font attracts attention. with a huge canopy 15 meters high, almost reaching the ceiling, and an alabaster relief from the same 15th century. on the south wall, depicting the Archangel Michael.

Erfurt is famous for the curious “residential” bridge Krämerbrücke over the Gera River. Along the "Shopkeepers' Bridge" in the 14th century. 62 buildings were built in which merchants lived and kept shops. Initially, churches were located at both ends of the 120-meter street-bridge. One of them is the Church of St. Aegidia has been preserved: a popular observation deck is equipped on its tower. The number of houses over the past centuries, as a result of fires and unification, has almost halved - to 32. But they still sell, only saffron and pepper have been replaced by crafts, antiques and souvenirs.

When entering Kremerbrücke from the Benediktplatz square, the bridge itself is not visible: it seems that in front of the tourist there is an ordinary medieval street. While walking along the bridge, this illusion is repeated several times.

Relatively recently, opposite the half-timbered houses on the bridge, a modern building made of glass and concrete was built, which stylistically does not fit into the overall ensemble.

The architect “avoided reprisals” from the indignant residents of neighboring houses only thanks to his resourcefulness. The windows of the new building actually reflect the opposite half-timbered houses, creating the illusion that they are on both sides of the street.
Another interesting touch: some buildings in Kremerbrücke retain names typical of the Middle Ages (at that time houses were not numbered), for example, “Angel and Christoph” or “At the Red Tower”.

Zitadelle Petersberg is located in the center of Erfurt, 200 meters from Domplatz. The city defensive structure was built in several stages. In the second half of the 17th century. bastions, ravelins and gates were erected. After some time, barracks were built for the garrison of neighboring Mainz, stationed in Erfurt. In the 18th century defensive ditches were deepened, a watchtower was erected and an additional powerful fence was built.

The next modernization of the citadel at the beginning of the 19th century. was already carried out by the authorities of Prussia, to which Erfurt had by that time passed. However, this did not prevent Napoleonic troops from entering Erfurt. A few years later, the French themselves took refuge in the citadel from the troops of Russia, Prussia and Austria. After a long siege, the French abandoned the city to Prussia. After this, gunpowder warehouses were built in the citadel and an artillery yard was equipped. By the middle of the 19th century. the need for a powerful defensive structure disappeared. Subsequently, the Wehrmacht troops were stationed in the citadel, then the GDR.

Currently, the former fortress is used as a tourist site. A pedestrian path was laid along the fortress wall. The entrance to its citadel territory is via a stone bridge through the gate of St. Peter, built in the 17th century. The facade of the gate, made in the Baroque style, is decorated with pilasters, cornices and sculpted heads of lions, and the coat of arms of the then Elector is depicted on the pediment. Of tourist interest are the 12th-century Peterskirche, the labyrinth of underground tunnels of the citadel and the observation deck on its tower.

Fortress wall

Church of St. Peter's on the territory remains from the Benedictine monastery, which existed on this site long before the citadel. The facade of Peterskirche has preserved an arched frieze, a relief with a crucifix from the 14th century, as well as, in fragments, Romanesque frescoes and geometric patterns. The church is now used as a space for periodic exhibitions.

Evangelisches Augustinerkloster, built in 1277, was a prominent religious center with a ecclesiastical college and a large library. The monastery is famous for the six-year (1505–11) stay of the main figure of the Reformation, Martin Luther, within its walls. Here he became a monk, and later a priest. The Reformation initiated by Martin Luther directly influenced the history of the monastery. From 1535 Augustinerkloster was transferred to the Evangelical Church, and in 1559 to the state. The premises of the monastery were successively used as a school, an orphanage, a public library, and a meeting hall. From the middle of the 19th century. the monastery became active again.

Since 1988, the monastery has combined the functions of a cultural ecumenical center, a Luther Memorial Museum and a pilgrimage hotel. In the chapel of St. Elizabeth, paintings from the 14th century have been preserved.

Address: Augustinerstraße, 10. Directions: by tram No. 1 and 5 to the stop “Augustinerkloster”.

The ancient Fischmarkt square is the main square in the city. It has long been the center of commercial and public life in Erfurt. Mostly in the square they sold fish, which gave it its name. Local aristocrats built their mansions on it, the most beautiful of which even received their own names. The following photo shows two such houses. The orange and white building on the left is called Zum Breiten Herd (“At the Spacious Hearth”), and the one on the right is Gildenhaus (Guild House), built much later in stylistic unity with the first.

The Zum Breiten Herd building, built at the end of the 16th century, is considered the most beautiful in the city. It impresses with its color scheme, beautiful stucco moldings and paintings, gilded winged lions on the pediment, graceful columns, and the top figure of a knight. The façade sculptures on the second floor appear to grow from the columns. The frescoes above the name of the house are allegorical paintings of the five human senses. They depict women with a mirror (vision), with a lute (hearing), with flowers (smell), with a glass (taste), with a bird (touch).

Haus zum Breiten Herd

Like many other German cities, Erfurt's town hall is one of its landmarks. The current Gothic Town Hall was built in the 19th century. architects Tiede and Sommer in stylistic harmony with the beautiful mansions of the Fischmarkt square. On the first floor of the building there is a columned hall, and on the second there is a ceremonial hall, painted with scenes from the history of Erfurt. Between the halls there is a wide staircase with large windows on the walls of the stairwell. These walls depict illustrations of Faust and Tannhäuser, as well as portraits of the city's nobility.

In front of the Town Hall, on a high pedestal, there is a figure resembling a Roman warrior in gilded armor. On a sculpture from the 16th century. depicts the patron saint of the city, St. Martin (and not the North German Ronald, as you can hear and even read) in battle armor. In the background on the left you can see another named house – Zum Roten Ochsen (“At the Red Bull”). If you look closely, above the entrance you can see an image of a dark red bull with golden horns. And this building now houses an art gallery.

Statue of St. Martina

Erfurt Gartenbauausstellung (EGA) or simply Egapark is a combination of a landscape park, an exhibition center and a botanical garden. It was built in 1920 in the southwestern part of the city on an area of ​​36 hectares around the old fortress of Kiriaksburg. Its preserved walls and buildings are now organically integrated into the park landscape. There are many thematic objects in the park - Houses of orchids, roses, tropics, herbs, butterflies, Japanese Water and Rock Gardens.

Exhibit of landscape art

The park contains the largest flower arrangement in Europe with an area of ​​6 km2 with one and a half thousand flowers. The park's children's playground with farm animals is the largest in Thuringia. The park's Landscape Design Museum presents an exhibition introducing visitors to various aspects of landscape art.

Address: Gothaer Straße 38. The park is open from 9–10 to 16–18. You need to pay 6 EUR for entry. Directions: tram number 2.

Among Erfurt's museums, one can highlight the Naturkundemuseum Erfurt, located near Domplatz. The originality of the Natural History Museum is manifested in the exhibition space, which combines the natural and the man-made in the truest sense of the word. Through all four floors of the building grows an oak tree 14 m high, which is three and a half centuries old. A spiral staircase is built around it, along which visitors climb.

The museum was created in 1922 by entomologist Otto Rapp to demonstrate the relationship of plants and animals in the environment. After his death in 1953, the museum did not have a zealous owner for some time. The rebirth of the museum dates back to 1995, in which it moved to the current tree building. In the current exhibition, in addition to 350 thousand insects, you can see 4.5 thousand specimens of amphibians, many reptiles, birds, mammals, minerals and fossils.

Address: Große Arche, 14. Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, from 10 to 18 hours.

Conclusion

Erfurt creates a picture of the old pre-war Germany to a greater extent than other German cities. There are few attractions in Erfurt, but most of them are first class. Cathedral and Church of St. The Severas are spectacular even on foggy days, when they look like ancient sailing ships sailing on the sea. The architectural ensemble of Fischmarkt Square and Egapark are magnificent.

Erfurt is the capital of the Thuringia region. It is located on the banks of the Gera River, in the eastern part of Germany. It has a cool temperate climate. The most favorable weather in Erfurt is in July and August. However, tourists should be prepared for regular precipitation at any time of the year.

The settlement of Erphesfurt was first mentioned in the middle of the 8th century. Its good location at the intersection of trade routes ensured its rapid economic development in the Middle Ages. The main export was a substance made from woad leaves, used to make indigo, a blue dye. With the permission of the Pope, a Catholic bishopric was created here and today the main residence of the bishop is located in this place. Like any other city, Erfurt was subject to periods of prosperity and decline, but it always remained a center of artisans and merchants. That is why there are no luxurious villas and palaces of rulers here, but there are unique beautiful houses of burghers and many outstanding architectural monuments.

• Founded: 742;
• Area: 270 km²;
• Time zone: UTC+1, summer UTC+2;
• Population: 211,100.

Transport connection

You can get to Erfurt from Munich by plane, covering a distance of 318 km. At the same time, airlines offer tourists both direct and cheaper flights with transfers. Most travelers prefer trains. Numerous trains from Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt, Leipzig and Düsseldorf arrive daily in the capital of Thuringia, at the central railway station Hauptbahnhof. There are also direct connections to Meiningen, Mühlhausen, Weimar and Eisenach. Along the streets leading from the station square, you can walk to the very center.

If you travel by car, then getting to Erfurt will also not be difficult, since it is connected with other regions of Germany by expressways, two of which are federal: Hamburg-Bamberg and Kassel-Gera.

Within the city, the most popular means of transportation are buses and trams, which run around the city at intervals of 10 minutes. Since the city center is quite compact, the best way to explore it is to walk on foot, admiring the enchanting beauty and variety of many architectural structures.

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What to see

The majestic Erfurt Cathedral serves as a symbol of the capital. It rises on a small mountain called Cathedral Hill. This holy monastery is designed in the classical Gothic style, with magnificent and exquisite stained glass windows. Its main asset is a wooden pulpit with artistic carvings, which dates back to the 14th century. Next to the city's main religious relic stands the Church of St. Severi, another of Germany's most outstanding Gothic buildings. Here you can find an impressively sized musical organ, tombstones and the sarcophagus of St. Severi. The tower houses the largest medieval church bell in the world, weighing approximately 11.5 tons. Together, this architectural ensemble not only decorates the urban landscape, but also acts as a kind of landmark for lost tourists, since it is clearly visible from anywhere in Erfurt.

Going down the hill along the stairs, which in the summer turns into a concert venue, you can get to Cathedral Square - one of the largest squares in Germany. In close proximity to it, there is the military fortress of Petersberg, built in the 17th century. Today, medieval festivals and processions are held here. This structure not only represents a historical defense system, but is also a wonderful place to explore the city. The fortress wall offers views of the most beautiful landscapes.

Another Erfurt landmark is the Kremerbrück Shopkeepers' Bridge, built in the 14th century. On both sides there are medieval houses, between them there is a street with workshops of local artisans, where you can buy interesting souvenirs and handmade jewelry. This is one of the longest and most colorful bridges in Europe.

The educational structure is of great importance in the life of a city. The main educational institution is the University of Erfurt - one of the oldest universities in Germany, opened in 1392. Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran Church, studied here. A few tens of kilometers from the city is the majestic Wartburg Castle, within the walls of which the great reformer worked on translating the Bible into German.

Where to go

Garden lovers should visit Egapark, which is both an exhibition center and a beautiful botanical garden. It is built around the Kiriaksburg fortress, while its walls and buildings blend seamlessly into the modern landscape of the park. A small zoo and a huge playground were built here for children. One of the fort's towers was converted into an observation platform from which a magnificent view of the park and Erfurt opens. In addition, the park has an unusual fountain that anyone can operate.

The Erfurt Natural History Museum was built next to Cathedral Square, which, in addition to its exhibits, is known for its unusual design. A huge oak tree grows in the center of the museum, a spiral staircase is built around it and, going up it, visitors examine the exhibitions on display.

To the east of Cathedral Square is the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe, most of the buildings date back to 1270. In 1998, a large and well-preserved Jewish treasury was found near it. In 2009, the building was restored and opened as a museum for the history of Erfurt's Jewish diaspora, housing an impressive collection of 14th-century Jewish jewelry.

Erfurt is one of the most visited cities by tourists in eastern Germany; it can rightfully be called the pearl of Thuringia and an open-air museum. The old quarters have retained their classic medieval look, with narrow streets intertwining with each other. The Second World War caused significant damage, but most of the attractions remained intact. In the historical center of Erfurt there are about 15 monasteries, 36 churches, and many Renaissance buildings. For such a variety of cultural heritage, the city received the name Rome of Thuringia. It’s definitely worth coming here for that feeling of real medieval Germany, which is now rarely found in this country.

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Cathedral of St. Mary's is Erfurt's oldest religious building, located on Domplatz in the heart of the old town. It is one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Germany. It was founded in the 8th century during the reign of Charlemagne. An old bell hangs in the cathedral tower, which is the largest medieval bell in the world.

Church of St. Severia is another pearl of German Gothic architecture, an ancient religious building from the 12th century. Located next to the cathedral, the Church of St. Severia forms almost a single architectural complex with it and is a symbol of Erfurt. It was founded as a monastery church.

The Kremerbrücke or shopkeepers' bridge is a unique ancient structure. The longest built bridge in Europe. It was built in the 15th century on the site of the old bridge over Gera. It has a length of 120 meters. Currently there are 32 houses on it.

Petersberg is a citadel that is one of the best preserved Baroque fortifications in Europe. Located on the site of the old Benedictine monastery. Petersberg is one of the most significant monuments of defense architecture.

The Old Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Europe, founded in 1100. It is interesting that to this day it has been preserved almost in its original form. There is a museum of Jewish culture with unique exhibitions here.

The Augustinian monastery is an ancient monastery complex of the 13th century, which belonged to the Augustinian church order. It was here that the famous church reformer Martin Luther took monastic vows. Now there is a Luther Museum and a hotel for pilgrims. In the chapel of St. Elizabeth, ancient manuscripts from the 14th century have been preserved.

The Town Hall is a neo-goic building on the Fish Market Square, built in the 19th century. The interior of the town hall is decorated with paintings from the life of the city and Martin Luther.

The university building is a medieval building of one of the oldest universities in Germany.

Egapark is one of the most interesting examples of landscape design in Central Germany and one of the largest parks in Erfurt.

Examples of sacred architecture in Erfurt

Reglerkirche is an early Gothic church built in the 13th - 14th century.

Lorenzkirche is a Catholic church located in the old town. It was founded in the 12th century. It received Gothic features after a fire in the 13th - 14th centuries.

The Allerheiligenkirche or All Saints Church is an ancient Gothic church from the 12th century with a high 53-meter spire.

Kaufmannskirche is a 14th century Gothic church.

Schottenkirche is an ancient church that combines Gothic and Baroque styles. Located on the site of an old monastery.

The real medieval city of Erfurt (German: Erfurt) is the capital of the former duchy. In ancient times, the trade routes of Europe and Germany crossed here, trade flourished and markets were located, and the development of the city was facilitated by the construction of the palace. Tourists are attracted here by narrow streets where houses stand touching the upper floors, churches from different eras and thoughtful bridges that span the river. The size of the old city can only be compared with Prague; Erfurt is so big and different.

Geographical location of Erfurt.

Erfurt is located in the center of Germany, on the Gera River (German Gera), is the capital of the federal state of Thuringia (German Thuringen) and the seat of the Catholic bishop. The city is located in a hollow, which is surrounded by low forested mountains.

Climate of Erfurt.

The city's climate is moderate, with an average annual temperature of 8 °C. The warmest months are July and August, at which time the thermometer reaches +23°C. The coldest month is February - minus 4°C. June sees the most rainfall in the city, but March is dry.

Historical background of Erfurt.

In ancient times, the region was home to settlements of Slavic and Germanic tribes. The first mention of the city dates back to 724, its name translated as “Erf Ford” across the river. Charlemagne placed trading warehouses here in 805, and then the Church of St. Mary was built in this place. Under the kings of the Saxon dynasty and the Carolingians, Erfurt was the seat of the palatine (count who ruled the palatinate, i.e. the palace).

In 1392, the third university in Germany opened here. Erfurt fell under Prussian rule in 1803, was later occupied by French troops, but then returned to Prussia. During the First World War, many citizens died here, and during the Second World War, the losses were several times higher. As a result of air raids, the architectural monument was destroyed. Since 1946, Erfurt became the administrative center of Thuringia, and in 1949 this land became part of the GDR.

Sights in Erfurt.

Erfurt can be called a city of bridges and churches. There are 142 bridges across the Gera River, its canals and tributaries, which is why the historical center is called little Venice. In the Middle Ages, goods were transported across the Lange Brücke and Lemansbrücke bridges, which played a very important role.

The most famous pedestrian bridge is the Krämerbrücke. This interesting and ancient architectural monument was originally made of wood (circa 1117). The stone bridge was built a little later - in 1325, it connects two squares in the historical center of the city, Benediktplatz and Wenigermarkt. On the spans of the bridge there were residential half-timbered houses where they sold sugar, saffron, pepper and other groceries. The upper floors were occupied by the merchants themselves. Currently, Kremerbrücke sells antiques, works of applied art, souvenirs and various funny little things.

The Augustinian monastery (German: Couvent des Augustins) was built in 1277 and has survived to this day. Martin Luther was a monk here, so this architectural monument is associated with his name. An exhibition is now open, which you can visit on a guided tour, also looking at Luther’s cell. The monastery library is considered the richest in Germany; it includes more than 60 thousand volumes, 13 thousand printed publications and manuscripts that appeared before 1850, including the works of Martin Luther himself.

The old synagogue (German: Alte Synagoge) has survived to this day in excellent condition. This is a valuable architectural monument telling about the life of the local Jewish community in the Middle Ages. The oldest parts of the building date back to 1904. A mid-13th century mikveh (water tank for ablution), ancient manuscripts and the largest Hebrew treasure were found here.

Petersberg Fortress (German: Zitadelle Petersberg) is located in the city center, built in the 17th century in the New Italian style. The well-preserved architectural monument was once a northern bastion that protected the electorate from Protestant raids. The fortress performed its direct function until 1871.

The untouched medieval center is famous for the temples of the Severikirche (German: St. Severikirche) and the Erfurt Cathedral, which stand side by side to form the symbol of the city. Church towers are visible from everywhere, and the open Domstufen staircase allows you to climb the Cathedral Hill. The aesthetics of the 15th century wooden pulpit, the beauty of the medieval stained glass windows and the filigree column above the font are amazing.

Not far from Cathedral Square is the Museum of Natural History, which is famous for its unique local history exhibition and interesting building layout. A spiral staircase leads through the exhibition, entwining a century-old oak tree.

Excursions from Erfurt.

Not far from Erfurt is one of the famous German castles - Wartburg (German: Wartburg). According to legend, you can see half of Germany from the watchtower. Here Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. All the buildings of the castle are perfectly preserved; in 1990 it was included in the UNESCO heritage list.

To the east of Erfurt, between the two mountains of Naumburg and Freiburg, there is a wonderful wine region on the Saale River, light white wine and many ancient castles attract many tourists to this place.

Places for entertainment and shopping in Erfurt.

On Cathedral Hill, on long rows of steps, concert performances are held in the warm season. Orchestras play here and interesting cultural events are organized. Erfurt hosts a rock music festival called the Highfield Festival in August.

Erfurt also has a market square, where the old houses of wealthy citizens and the town hall are located. In spring, the city hosts a pottery sale, and during floriculture and gardening days, Domplatz Square is transformed into a bright, blooming carpet. In autumn, fruits, vegetables, honey and other local products are sold on the streets of the city. Every year on November 10, whole processions of singing children walk around the city, and a market opens on Domplatz Square. This custom dates back to the Middle Ages; the day before began the celebration of St. Martin Luther's Day (November 11).

In the pre-Christmas time, the city begins to smell pleasantly of cinnamon, ginger and roasted almonds in sugar. All in the same square they exhibit figural groups that illustrate popular fairy tales, and a Christmas nativity scene, fairground delicacies, gingerbread houses, bright lights and play Christmas songs. This delightful and famous market is considered one of the best in Germany.

On Kremerbrücke Street you can buy souvenirs and unique handicrafts. Large shopping centers are located in the city center.

The world-famous Thuringer Bratwurst sausages were born in Erfurt; there are many kiosks in the city where you can try this delicious delicacy. German cuisine is served in the restaurant at Lange Brücke 53 called "Tolle Knolle" or in the "Erfurter Brauhaus" located in the city center. Haus Zur Pfauen has its own small brewery.

Conclusion.

The medieval city of Erfurt is very pleasant to stroll around on foot. Ancient facades and dizzying church spiers make you wander, lost in time. It’s worth staying here for a few days to have time to see all the sights of this cute town.

Erfurt(German) Erfurt) is a city in Germany, the administrative center of the federal state of Thuringia. Population 204.0 thousand people (2010). The city is a university center and the seat of the Catholic bishop.

Geography

The city is located in the center of modern Germany, in the valley of the Gera River.

Story

Erfurt, Schedel's World (Nuremberg) Chronicle, 1493

In ancient times, there were settlements of Germanic and Slavic tribes on the territory of the region. An anonymous Bavarian geographer (Geographus Bavarus) who lived in the 9th century believed that Erfurt was founded by the Slavic tribe of the Wersites.

The first documentary mention of Erfurt “Erphesfurt” - “Erf Ford” (across the Gera River) dates back to 742. In that message, Archbishop Bonifacius of Mainz appeals to the Pope with a request to create a bishopric here.

In 805, Charlemagne organized trading warehouses here, and soon the Church of St. Mary was built next to them. Under the Carolingians and the kings of the Saxon dynasty, Erfurt became the seat of the Count Palatine.

In 1392 (or a little earlier) a university opened in Erfurt - the third in Germany.

In 1803, after the division of the former Archbishopric of Mainz, which then included Erfurt, it came under Prussian rule. In 1806 it was occupied by French troops and later returned to Prussia.

In 1808, the so-called Erfurt meeting between Russian Emperor Alexander I and French Emperor Napoleon I.

In 1906, Erfurt already had 100 thousand inhabitants and was one of the largest cities in Germany. During the First World War, 3,579 Erfurt citizens died.

After A. Hitler came to power in 1933, NSDAP control was established over the city. In 1938, Erfurt was one of the largest garrison cities in Germany. During the all-German Jewish pogrom on the night of November 9–10, 1938 (the so-called Kristallnacht), the Great Synagogue was burned and approximately 800 Jewish residents were deported. Between 1939 and 1945, 10,000–15,000 prisoners of war, as well as women and men from various countries captured by Germany, were forced to work in the city's military factories.

During World War II, Erfurt suffered 27 air raids, killing approximately 1,600 people and destroying many buildings, including listed buildings. On April 12, 1945, the city was occupied by the American Third Army, and on July 3, in accordance with the decisions of the Yalta Conference of the Allied Powers (February 4 - 11, 1945), Erfurt became part of the Soviet zone of occupation of Germany.

In 1946, Erfurt became the capital of the state of Thuringia. In 1949, Thuringia became part of the German Democratic Republic. In 1952, during the administrative reform carried out in the GDR, the state of Thuringia was abolished and divided into administrative districts, and Erfurt became the center of the administrative district of the same name.

In 1990, after the reunification of Germany and the restoration of the federal state of Thuringia, Erfurt again became its capital.

Attractions

Erfurt Cathedral and Severikirche

Erfurt has kept its medieval center intact. The city is famous for two temples - Erfurt Cathedral and Severikirche (Church of the Holy North), which stand side by side and together form the symbol of the city. Both church towers rise above the city landscape and are accessible thanks to the huge open staircase of Domstuven.

Another notable place is the Kremerbrücke, a bridge crossing the narrow Gera River. There are 32 residential buildings on the bridge. It was built in 1325 with a church on each bridgehead, one of which, the Egidenkirche (Church of St. Egidius), is still in use. Augustinerkloster is an old monastery of the Augustinian Order. Martin Luther attended university and lived in a monastery for several years after 1505.

On Mount Petersberg (“Peter’s Mountain”) there is the Church of St. Peter (a former Benedictine monastery), built in the Romanesque style.

The 11th-century Erfurt synagogue is considered the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe. It now functions as a museum displaying the Erfurt Treasures.