Architecural Treasures

Erfurt became a pilgrimage destination of sorts with the reunification of Germany. Thousands of travelers poured into this former East German city to see where Martin Luther studied, to bow heads where he prayed, to walk the same medieval streets, and even to sleep where he slept. But there is far more to this city than Luther, particularly when it comes to masterpieces of medieval architecture, and the compact Old Town makes for easy exploration of the many neighboring historic sights.

Erfurt’s landmark is the unique ensemble of both the Dom St. Marien (St Mary's Cathedral) and the Severikirche (St Severus Church) that majestically dominate the cityscape. These architectural masterpieces of German Gothic style are imposing examples of the art of church architecture. Erfurt became one of the richest cities of the Middle Ages thanks to the woad plant, which provided the primary source of blue dye for textiles.

In more recent times, this beautiful city has bloomed into the reputation of Europe’s "Flower City", and a visit in springtime is a delight for the senses. A city of parks and gardens, it boasts Germany’s largest flower bed (6,000 square meters) in the ega-Park. The egapark impresses visitors with its fascinating plant life and the architectural design of gardens.

The late Gothic "Dom St. Marien" (St Mary's Cathedral) with its high-Gothic choir replaced the church built on this site for Bishop Boniface in 742. The central tower houses the "Gloriosa", the world's largest medieval free-swinging bell, which is over 500 years old.

The "Severikirche" (St Severus Church), a five-naved early Gothic hall church, was a collegiate church for the regular canons of St. Augustine during the 12th century.

Throughout the year many organ concerts take place in the fascinating nave of St Mary´s Cathedral, especially during the Thuringian Bach Weeks or the Festival of Church Music.

Around the "Domplatz" (Cathedral Square), many historical buildings survived the artillery attack of 1813 and numerous city fires. Among these are the "Grüne Apotheke" (Green Pharmacy) of the 18th century and the "Haus zur hohen Lilie" (High Lily House) of 1538.

On the east side of the broad square, which is crowded today with the bustling activity of the market, is the entrance to Marktstrasse, which was a port of the "via regia" (High or King's Road) and a preferred spot for traders and buyers.

Further information on St Mary

Further information on St Severus

The "Krämerbrücke" (Merchants' Bridge) is Erfurt's most interesting piece of secular architecture and 120 meters long.

The stone, arched bridge was constructed in 1325 over the Gera River ford, built through and following the trading route of the "via regia".

The "Krämerbrücke" is the longest bridge of its kind in Europe entirely built over with houses that are still used as residences. In medieval times there were churches built at either end of the bridge, one of which, the "Ägidienkirche" (Aegidien Church), is still in existence.

Today it is a popular meeting point for tourists and residents. It is lined with galleries, cafés and boutiques offering traditional handcraft, Thuringian blue printed fabrics, hand-painted ceramics, glassware, jewellery, wood carvings, antiques and delicious Thuringian specialties - perfect for browsing.

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Martin Luther lived here as a monk from 1505 to 1511. The monastery complex houses an important library with rare books and a permanent exhibition about the life of Luther. Today the "Augustinerkloster" (Augustinian Monastery) is a renowned reformation center and is used as a parish church, an ecumenical conference center and a pilgrims' hostel.

The "Augustinerkloster" (Augustinian Monastery) possesses valuable stained glass windows dating back to the beginning of the 14th century.


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The "Alte Synagoge" (Old Synagogue) is one of very few preserved medieval synagogues in Europe. Thanks to the extensive preservation of the original structure, it has a special place in the history of art and architecture and is among the most impressive and highly rated architectural monuments in Erfurt and Thuringia. The synagogue was constructed during the Middle Ages on the "via regia", one of the major European trade routes, at the heart of the historical old quarter very close to the "Krämerbrücke" (Merchants' Bridge). Many parts of the structure still remain today. After extensive restoration, the building was reopened in 2009. On display in the exhibition rooms is a collection of medieval treasures discovered during archaeological excavations. This includes 3,140 silver coins, 14 silver ingots, approx. 6,000 works of goldsmithery from the 13th and 14th centuries and an intricately worked wedding ring of the period, of which only two others are known to exist anywhere in the world. A mikveh (Jewish bath) has been excavated close by (13th/14th century). The "Alte Synagoge" (Old Synagogue), the "Kleine Synagoge" (Small Synagogue) and two Jewish cemeteries together form a network of historical buildings and sites which vividly portray the role of Jewish life in the history of Erfurt and are the bases for the application for UNESCO´s World Heritage.

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The "Zitadelle Petersberg" (Petersberg Citadel), one of the few almost completely preserved Baroque citadels in Europe, represents the architectural mastery of fortress construction from the 17th to 19th centuries.

On June 1st, 1695, the first foundation stone was laid for one of the few remaining 17th-century city fortifications to be found in Germany. Today the "Zitadelle Petersberg" is impressive proof of the art of European fortification construction from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Visitors can walk or tour the greater part of the casemates, esplanades and bastions inside the area of the fortifications. The citadel itself overlooks Old Town of Erfurt. The Petersberg plateau also includes the "Peterskirche" (St Peter's Church), a three-nave, pillared, Romanesque basilica.

The renovation of the citadel and the Petersberg plateau has been one of the most ambitious historic restoration projects undertaken by the city of Erfurt.

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The people of Thuringia are very proud of the 99-acre egapark, a magnet for visitors that is often referred to as "the garden of Thuringia." A walk through this diverse, attractive gardenscape can be combined with a visit to the 500-year-old "Cyriaksburg" (a former fortress now housing the German horticultural museum) with its watchtower and ancient fortification walls.

In former times, the castle was sanctioned to be built by Emperor Friedrich III as a fortress on the grounds of an old Benedictine Nunnery. It served as a protector of its inhabitants until 1873 when the people began to disperse. The barracks and two towers are the only remaining parts of the old castle.

The center point of the egapark is the (very) "Large Flowerbed", planted to be an impressive blooming ornament. It is unique in Thuringia for its size and beauty. Tropical plants, cactuses and succulents, orchids and many other kinds of plants can be admired in the greenhouses, which are open year round. The most recent attraction of the egapark is the butterfly house and Japanese Garden.

Children are welcome to play, wade, paint and engage in handiwork in the largest children's playground in Thuringia. Close by is also a children's farm. The greenhouses and exhibition halls also host flower shows addressing certain themes as well as exhibitions in the areas of art and culture, science, technology, nature and environment.

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The "Predigerkirche" (Prediger or Preacher's Church) was built in several stages between 1270 and 1400. Along with the sections of the Prediger monastery that have been preserved, this is one of the foremost examples of mendicant order architecture in the German-language area. Master Eckhart was once prior of the order here. The church has some interesting interior furnishings: choir stalls (13th century) and stained glass windows made with fragments retrieved from the war-damaged church windows (20th century). Regular organ recitals on Wednesdays during the summer.

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The neo-gothic "Rathaus" (City Hall) at the "Fischmarkt" (Fish Market) was built between 1870 and 1874.

Inside the stairwells and the "Festsaal" (Main Function Hall) are numerous wall paintings depicting legends and scenes from the life of Luther as well as pictures illustrating history and tales of Thuringia and Erfurt.

The "Festsaal" is frequently used as a venue for concerts, lectures and receptions, which are held over the whole year.

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In Erfurt's "Waidspeicher" (Woad Storehouses), blue textile dye was once extracted from the dried leaves of the woad plant. Woad has been cultivated in the Thuringian Basin and processed and traded in Erfurt since the 13th century. There are still historical Woadhouses in the Mettengasse, Johannesstrasse and in the "Kulturhof Krönbacken" in the Michaelisstrasse.

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The Barfüßerkirche (Blackfriar's Church) is right beside the bridge that crosses the broad stream of the River Gera on Schlösserstraße.

Most of the church was destroyed in 1944. The long uninterrupted saddle-backed roof of this former Franciscan monastery shaped the picture of Erfurt for centuries.

Even in the present condition the church is one of the greatest examples of German ecclesiastical architecture of the 14th and 15th centuries. After the Reformation (Luther preached here in 1529) the monastery was discontinued.

After extensive reconstruction was completed in 1982 the choir has been used as an external exhibition space for the Anger Museum and is open to visitors. The church also contains Erfurt's oldest surviving stained glass windows and two altars.

In summertime it is used for open-air performances of Shakespeare's plays.

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