The capital city of Thuringia, once an important trade center in the Middle Ages, now retains many of the picturesque old buildings of former times.
Close to the geographical center of Germany, Erfurt has long enjoyed a key place within the country. Its narrow streets offer countless examples of medieval German architecture, from pretty houses to ancient churches.
Home to the Federal Labor Court of Germany, a major university, as well as Erfurt Cathedral and the oldest synagogue still standing in all of Europe, the city dates back well over a millennium.
Some of that heritage can still be seen, with a medieval city center comprising traditional timber-framed houses and over two dozen Gothic churches. Explore the Cathedral and the Severikirche overlooking the main market square, which is used for fairs including the Christmas Market in December. Become enraptured by Erfurt’s famous Kramerbrucke, a bridge lined on either side with half-timbered buildings, spanning the Breitstrom in the Gera River. The bridge dates back to 1117 and today the houses lining it are occupied mostly by artisan and antique shops. Explore the Petersberg Citadel, another important sight, a huge baroque fortress on the Petersberg Hill above the town. Erfurt Synagogue was built around the year 1100, and is thought to be the oldest synagogue still standing in Europe. Recently it has been transformed into a museum, where you can head to explore its permanent exhibit of the Erfurt Treasure, a hoard of coins and jewelry that belonged to the Jews who concealed them at the time of the Black Death pogroms in the 1340s. The jewels were discovered in the wall of an Erfurt house in 1998.
As well as seeing the famous sights, there is plenty to do around town: visit the botanical garden at Egapark, watch an opera or play at the newly refurbished Erfurt Theater, or take a respite at the Wenigemarkt, one of the many beautiful open spaces the city has to offer.
