Thuringia Erfurt. Amazing city of Erfurt. Erfurt Cathedral and Domplatz

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I would like to remember the three days of last summer that I spent in the amazing German city of Erfurt. Looking through photographs from six months ago, I understand that I had the opportunity to visit a very wonderful and unusual city in Germany.

In the city of Erfurt, Germany // lavagra.livejournal.com

Our impressions of the city are also enhanced by the fact that we got there just on the traditional City Days. For three whole days, rainbow fun reigned here, various events and concerts took place, and the streets of the city were crowded with residents and guests of Erfurt from morning to late evening. The Germans really know how to have fun, and they do it with great respect for each other and everyone around them. But first I will try to tell you a little about the city itself.

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Erfurt has a very original and memorable appearance. This city was lucky not to be bombed and destroyed during World War II. In addition, Erfurt entered the territory of the GDR. What's good about this, you ask? Due to these circumstances, since East Germany is considered a more economically backward area, you will hardly meet Turks or blacks in Erfurt. And this is now a big plus for visiting tourists.

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The city has not lost its spirit. There are no traditional West German kebab shops or minimarkets here. But in Erfurt, the half-timbered architecture of the medieval center and the real German spirit of beer gardens, hearty restaurants and small themed shops have remained intact.

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The main symbol of the city is the cathedral mountain with two beautiful churches. Erfurt Cathedral and the Severikirche (Church of the Holy North) stand side by side here. The wide Domitufen staircase leads to them from the city square. We were only able to get inside the cathedral.

In Erfurt Cathedral, Germany // lavagra.livejournal.com

As rich as the cathedral looks from the outside, the interior is just as modest. The history of the cathedral dates back more than 9 centuries. This is the oldest building in the city. It is also surprising that inside, objects and interiors that are many hundreds of years old have been preserved completely intact.

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It is worth looking at the giant bronze “Tungsten” candlestick in the form of a monk with outstretched arms. It is already more than 700 years old. I looked in awe at the oak seats of the choir with amazing carved decorations, which are also many centuries old.

Severikirche (Church of the Holy North) in Erfurt, Germany // lavagra.livejournal.com

A lot of interesting things can be seen in Severikirche. Just look at the sarcophagus with the relics of the Holy North itself or the huge bells. But, as I said earlier, we were unable to get inside.

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But we managed to visit the neighbor of Cathedral Hill - the Petersberg citadel. This fortress was built in the shape of an irregular star back in the 17th century. It was then built by Prussian troops as an outpost against the Swedes. At that time it was a powerful fortification. Even today, its high bastions impress unsophisticated minds. And this is considering that the citadel was partially dismantled and destroyed more than 100 years ago. This fortification did not withstand the onslaught of Napoleonic troops, who took it on the move. But later, the French themselves defended within the walls of the citadel for five whole months, surrendering the fortress only after Napoleon’s complete surrender. Even before this, somewhere inside the Petersberg citadel, Napoleon conducted personal negotiations with the Russian Emperor Alexander the First. During the Second World War, the Wehrmacht administration and a military tribunal, as well as a prison for political opponents of the Nazis, were located within the walls of the fortress. About 50 deserters were shot on the territory of the citadel at that time. During the GDR times, this strengthening was also useful. The state security service and the people's militia were located here. It was only in the 90s that the Petersberg citadel began to serve as a tourist attraction.

Petersberg Citadel in Erfurt, Germany // lavagra.livejournal.com

We entered the fortress, like most visitors, through the main gate of St. Peter's along a stone bridge. The entrance, decorated with lion heads and a majestic coat of arms, attracts attention from afar.

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There are not many buildings at the top of the citadel. Just some abandoned warehouses and a modern exhibition center, which looks a little strange here.

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Only the church of the same St. Peter attracts attention. This building is all that remains of the Benedictine monastery that occupied the top of the hill before the construction of the citadel began.

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The main thing worth going up inside the fortress for is, of course, the unforgettable panoramas of the Old Town with the Cathedral Hill. The views from the top are magnificent. But we are in a hurry to return back to the center of Erfurt to the medieval streets filled with crowds of people. We wandered around the city for several days in a row, each time finding something new.

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Erfurt itself is small. Sometimes it was even unclear where so many people came from. It seems that these days none of the townspeople are staying at home, preferring noisy companies, crowds of people and the cacophony of city sounds to quiet solitude.

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Erfurt has a very convenient transport system. The entire city is connected by six tram lines that run through the very center. The trams themselves, in my opinion, fit well into the cityscape.

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A cozy modern train station is also located not far from the main attractions. But parking for cars in the very center is more difficult. And why should they, when you can get around everything at a leisurely pace within a few hours.

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We visited the town hall square Fischmark, the main square Anger with a large modern shopping center in the middle, and the small medieval square Domplatz.

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We also looked at one of the main city attractions - the bridge over the Gera River Kremerbrücke, built up with medieval houses. True, it is unlikely that you will be able to feel that you are walking across a bridge without a good imagination. An ordinary narrow street filled with souvenir shops.

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By the way, the river itself is an undoubted fetish for Erfurt residents. Since Gera is too shallow for any navigation, it is considered especially chic for city residents to sit in cafes located directly on small floating balconies. There are many such establishments in the city.

10.04.2018

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.

Erfurt climate

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.

Attractions 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 astounding.

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.

Entertainment and shopping spots 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.

Many people compare Erfurt with the beautiful and unique Prague. Probably because of his same fabulous unpredictability. It's hard to imagine what the next step will reveal. Narrow medieval streets of the city with buildings practically touching overhead, with an abundance of churches, a bizarre and very harmonious interweaving of eras over which nothing has power here. And time itself flows here as thoughtfully and calmly as the Hera River crossing the city.

Visiting Erfurt for a few hours is tantamount to simply refusing to visit here. You need to walk slowly and calmly around the city. Trying to see more by wandering through its streets is pointless. Every house, every wall, the design of every door or window will require attention. Everything here is unique.

Among the city's attractions is a museum with an oak tree growing in its center. To view the exhibition, you will have to move along the spiral staircase going around the tree. The steps of Cathedral Hill often become theatrical stages, and the city itself serves as an amazing backdrop for performances. The Shopkeepers' Bridge is also unique, with half-timbered houses. This 14th-century bridge is longer than all other famous street bridges in Europe. Copyright www.site

The oldest religious building in the city is St. Mary's Cathedral, located in the very center of the historical district. This luxurious Gothic cathedral was recognized as one of the most beautiful in the country; it was founded back in the 8th century, by order of Charlemagne. One of the main symbols of the cathedral is the huge old bell mounted on its tower. It is the largest medieval bell in the world.

An equally impressive Gothic monument is the Church of St. Severius. It was built in the 12th century and is located in close proximity to the cathedral. Often these two religious monuments are considered as a single complex. The church was founded as a monastery; its austere building with a tiled roof remains virtually unchanged after hundreds of years.

A special historical site is the ancient citadel of Petersberg. It was built in the Baroque style and has been perfectly preserved over the centuries. Among the monuments of European defense architecture that have managed to be best preserved in Europe, the citadel occupies one of the leading positions. Once upon a time there was a Benedictine monastery in its place; today the entire territory of the citadel is available for excursions.

Erfurt is home to the oldest synagogue in Europe; it was founded at the beginning of the 12th century. The historical synagogue building is one of the few in the city that has been preserved in its original form since its construction. Nowadays, a museum dedicated to Jewish culture is opened in the synagogue building; absolutely everyone can visit it.

The town hall building is located on one of the main city squares; it was built in the 19th century. The building itself is made in the neo-Gothic style, while its interior is a combination of a variety of stylistic trends. On certain days, tours are held in the building, during which you can admire the ancient frescoes and antique decorations.

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.

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 is also not 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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