Erfurt, Germany – an old student town in the heart of the country. Known for the University of Erfurt and the Cathedral of St. Mary, which was built by decree of Card the Great in the 8th century.
General information
Erfurt is the capital of Thuringia, a city in central Germany. It is located on the Gera River. It is an ancient university town, with the first mentions dating back to 742.
Since the Middle Ages, the city has been considered a center of science and education, and in 1392, the third university in modern Germany was established here. Today, it is known as the University of Erfurt, where future teachers, philosophers, theologians, economists, lawyers, and sociologists are trained.
The city is also known as a religious center, as it is home to St. Mary’s Cathedral, founded in the 8th century and considered one of the oldest cathedrals in Germany.
The city has a population of 214,000 (more than 6,000 of them are students). Its area is 269.91 km².
Attractions
Erfurt is not the most popular city among tourists, but it is located in an extremely convenient place, and thanks to St. Mary’s Cathedral, it definitely deserves a visit.
Merchant’s Bridge
The Merchant’s Bridge, or Kremerbrücke, is one of the few surviving bridges in Europe, and its primary function is not only to connect two banks but also to provide housing for people. Today, 700 years after its construction, the bridge still houses people.
In the past, this area was inhabited exclusively by shopkeepers, who would open their shops during the day, turning the bridge into a bustling marketplace. In the evening, after a long day of work, they would return home. Today, the area is home to a diverse range of modern professions.
Tourists love walking along the bridge, which is not only the main symbol of the city, but also one of the most beautiful and atmospheric places in Erfurt.
By the way, there is a museum at 31 Bridge Street, where you can see how the city’s appearance has changed over time and learn why residents chose to build their homes on the bridge rather than on land.
By the way, the most famous bridge of this type is the Pont des Changeurs in Paris, which was demolished in the late 18th century.
Address: 99084, Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany.
Erfurt Cathedral
St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of the main attractions in Erfurt. It is located on Domplatz, but can be seen from almost any point in the city. Construction began in 1152 and was completed more than 200 years later. The cathedral has been fortunate enough to survive only two partial destructions (during the Napoleonic Wars and during Nazi Germany).
The Erfurt Cathedral is built in the Gothic style: the building seems to stretch up to God, and the windows are decorated with bright stained glass. Inside, the church is decorated in the Baroque style: there is a lot of gold (which is not typical for Gothic), and a lavish altar. The rows of seats and pews are decorated with carved images of biblical scenes. The altar is covered with a golden vine, and at its top is the “Triptych with a Unicorn”.
Anyone can enter the temple.
- Address: Domstufen 1, 99084, Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany.
- Working hours: 10:00 – 19:00.
Domplatz
Domplatz is the main square in the city of Erfurt, located in the center. As in most European cities, it hosts fairs, a farmer’s market, and street performances on weekends.
The square is surrounded by attractions on all sides, so if you come here in the morning, you won’t be able to leave until lunchtime. However, it’s better to visit this place in the evening, as the Cathedral of St. Mary and the Church of St. Severius are beautifully illuminated, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere.
In winter, the Domplatz hosts a Christmas market, with dozens of stalls selling souvenirs, sweet pastries, and hot drinks. There’s also a Ferris wheel, which is a significant event for a small German city like Erfurt.
Egapark (Egapark Erfurt)
Egapark is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Germany. It is located near the Kyriaksburg Fortress (the center of Erfurt). The park is known for its largest flower bed in Europe, which covers an area of 6,000 square meters.
It is recommended to spend at least 3 hours walking around the park. During this time, you can see the main sculptural compositions and the most interesting flower beds.
The park is divided into several zones, including the Orchid House, the Tropical House, the Rose House, the Herb House, the Rock Garden, the Water Garden, and the Landscape Design Museum. The architecture of each part of the park is meticulously designed, and the exotic plants are beautifully complemented by German-made fountains and sculptures.
For children, the garden has a playground, a shallow swimming pool, and a petting zoo. Tourists recommend spending a full day in the park, as there are many benches for relaxation.
- Address: Gothaer Str. 38, 99094, Erfurt, Federal Republic of Germany.
- Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00.
- Ticket price: 7 euros for adults, 4 euros for children and students.
Petersberg Citadel (Zitadelle Petersberg)
The Petersberg Citadel is a unique example of a medieval fortress. Firstly, it is in excellent condition. Secondly, it was built in a style that was atypical for Germany at the time: the facade is in the Baroque style, while the rest of the building is in the Romantic style.
The fortress was founded in 1665 by the Elector of Mainz, and it was completed in 1728. Interestingly, the fortress is not an impregnable citadel, as the French took it without a fight in the early 19th century, and Napoleon himself visited the fortress on several occasions.
In 1873, the citadel was supposed to be demolished, but there wasn’t enough money for it. For the past 100 years, it has served as a military base, military archive, and prison, but they have since left the building. Today, the fortress is open to visitors as a tourist attraction.
Don’t hesitate to climb the Leonard Bastion, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area.
Tourists who have visited the Petersberg Citadel in Erfurt note that it is worth spending at least 4 hours to visit this attraction. During this time, you can not only explore the fortress, but also walk through the park and visit the monastery, which currently hosts art exhibitions.
- Working hours: 10:00 – 19:00.
- Price: 8 euros for adults, 4 euros for children, students, and pensioners. The price includes a guided tour.
Where to stay
In the German city of Erfurt, there are only 30 accommodation options (most hotels and inns are located at a decent distance from the city center), most of which are 3-star hotels. It is necessary to book accommodation well in advance (usually no later than 2 months in advance).
The average 3-star hotel room for two people per night during the high season costs between 70 and 100 euros (the price range is quite wide). This price includes free parking, Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a kitchenette in the room, and all necessary appliances. Most rooms also have facilities for guests with disabilities.
Public transport links
Erfurt and Erfurt Airport are only 6 km apart, so there will be no problems getting to the city.
As for the nearest major cities near Erfurt, they are Frankfurt am Main (257 km), Nuremberg (170 km), Magdeburg (180 km), and Dresden (200 km).
From all of these cities, you can get to Erfurt either by bus or by train. There are the following carriers:
- Flixbus. You can purchase a ticket on the carrier’s official website (where you can also find the prices): www.flixbus.ru. As a rule, buses run 3-5 times a day, and the cost starts at 10 euros. A ticket from Erfurt to Dresden costs 25 euros.
- Eurolines. It is more convenient to buy tickets on the official website of the carrier: www.eurolines.eu. A ticket from Erfurt to Dresden will cost 32 euros.
Please note that all carriers in Germany offer promotions from time to time, so if you regularly visit their websites and stay updated, you can save a lot of money.
As for the railway connection, it is well-established. Every day, dozens of trains pass through Erfurt on their way to Austria and Switzerland. For example, there are 54 daily trains from Dresden to Erfurt, and the ticket price is around 22 euros.
Useful tips
- The Petersberg Citadel is located on a hill, so dress appropriately: wear comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothing.
- Try to book a hotel room in the center. There are no noisy cars or loud parties, so even families with children can relax in peace. However, if you rent a room several kilometers away from the city center, you may have trouble getting to your destination.
- It will take you 1-2 days to explore Erfurt, as there are not many attractions, and locals recommend visiting for the atmosphere rather than for numerous tours.
Erfurt, Germany is a well-preserved medieval town in the central part of the country. This place is worth visiting for anyone who is tired of big, noisy cities and crowds of tourists.
![10 Fun Things to Do in Erfurt, Germany [Summer Travel] 4K](https://waypointwonder.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/1576d3335a7adb080a049deda6deae0e.jpg)
