Street after street of ornate facades line this capital city, the Thüringisches Rom (Thuringian Rome). Erfurt (pop. 200,000) benefited from its strategic position on the trade route connecting medieval Europe with the Silk Road. The city’s wealthy merchants funded the construction of 37 churches and several monasteries, one of which housed Martin Luther during his formative years as a monk. As a capital, Erfurt has a dynamic political history: Napoleon called a meeting of princes here and chatted with Goethe in what is now the Thüringer Staatskanzlei. More recently, West German Chancellor Willy Brandt met here in 1970 with East German leader Willi Stoph, commencing Ostpolitik, the arduous process of East-West reconciliation.
Flights: Flughafen Erfurt, Take tram #4 toward “Bindersleben.” Flights to major European airports via Munich. Bike Rental: Radhaus am Dom, Kettenstr. 13. A stone’s throw away from the Mariendom. ...more
Erfurt lies in the heart of Thuringia, only 15min. from Weimar. Its large train station and proximity to the Thüringer Wald make it a convenient gateway to the forest. The train station is south of the ...more
Re_4 Hostel, Puschkinstr. 21 (☎ 0361 600 0110; www.re4hostel.com), From the train station, turn on Bahnhofstr. toward the steps in front of the Stadtpark, right on Schillerstr., and right on Puschkinstr ...more
The region’s specialty, Thüringer Bratwurst, is a plump, oversized sausage on an small roll sold at stands all over the city (€1.50-2). Check out the many outdoor Eiscafes, especially on the Fischmarkt ...more
SEVERIKIRCHE. The muted sandstone interior and Gothic exterior of this church are similar to, and outshone by, the Mariendom, for which it served as a model with its unusual three towers. The smaller ...more
For nightlife, the German-language monthly Blitz lists upcoming shows, concerts, parties, and special events. The Theater Erfurt puts on shows, ranging from operas and ballet to youth theater, at the Schauspielhaus ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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