Things to do in Magdeburg
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Dom
This grand cathedral is Magdeburg's main historical landmark and traces its roots to 937 when Otto I (912-73) founded a Benedictine monastery and had it built up into a full-fledged cathedral within two decades. Alas, fire destroyed the original a couple of centuries later. But by then the Gothic style was all the rage, which is why its successor is a three-aisled basilica with transept, choir and pointed windows. The burial place of Otto I and his English wife Editha, it's packed with artistic highlights ranging from the delicate 13th-century Magdeburg Virgins sculptures to a haunting antiwar memorial by Ernst Barlach. The church also has impressive eco-credentials: in 1…
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Grüne Zitadelle
It's piglet pink and resembles an iced birthday cake accidentally stuck in the oven for a few minutes. It has towers, turrets, golden spheres, trees growing from its facade and meadows sprouting on its rooftops. Right across from the cathedral, the Grüne Zitadelle is Magdeburg's newest, brightest and most inspired landmark. Completed in 2005, it was the final design of Viennese artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and perfectly reflects his philosophy of creating highly unique spaces in harmony with nature, an 'oasis for humanity', as the master himself put it. Inside are offices, flats and shops, as well as a small hotel and a cafe. If you understand German, join the one-…
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Magdeburg Cathedral
Magdeburg was established as a trading post by Charlemagne in 805, but the city was made great by King Otto I, whose tomb is found in its weather-beaten Gothic Magdeburg Cathedral. Apparently the first of its kind on German soil when it was erected between 1209 and 1363, the twin-towered Dom features an impressive high-ceilinged interior and art spanning eight centuries.
Highlights include a pensive WWI memorial by Ernst Barlach and, through the doors beside it - push hard, the latch jams - the sculpture of the Magdeburger Virgins (dating from the 13th century and undergoing renovation).
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Jahrtausendturm
The conical Jahrtausendturm at the Elbauenpark is an unusual attraction. It soars 60m high and bills itself as the world's tallest wooden tower. It's fun to walk up its external spiral walkway and it looks wonderful when lit up at night. German-speakers will also be attracted by the fun, hands-on experiments and physics exhibits within.
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Kunstmuseum Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen
Magdeburg's oldest building, a decommissioned medieval monastery, is now the Kunstmuseum Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen and presents regional sculptures and contemporary art from Saxony-Anhalt. The front door, designed by popular local artist Heinrich Apel (b 1935), is fun: you knock with the woman's necklace and push down on the man's hat to enter.
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Liebig
Tattooed hipsters to helmet-headed grannies, everyone loves Liebig, a trendy cafe-bar-restaurant with a large outdoor terrace. Thanks to substantive breakfasts, global fare and cool cocktails it's a good spot no matter where the hands of the clock are.
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Amsterdam
There's a slight Italian influence detectable in the bruschetta and paninis served in this fashionable modern bistro, but the cuisine also has its Californian touches, with the likes of tuna steaks, a dedicated vegetarian selection and smoothies.
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Café & Klub Luise
There's a young and relaxed vibe to this ever-so-slightly retro café where, despite the menu, most come to drink. The club below has a wide-ranging programme, from house, indie and '60s flower power, to karaoke and table tennis competitions.
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Café Central
This hip bar-cum-literary salon recreates the early 1900s with antique velvet sofas, flock wallpaper and Persian carpets. There are comedy shows, public readings, films or lectures on many evenings, but the decor means it's always worth a visit.
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House of Steaks Ortega
Surrender helplessly to your inner carnivore at this woodsy pub-style eatery where you'll join a mostly local crowd tucking into yummy cuts of aged Argentine steaks. Cholesterol-watchers can choose from a variety of pizza, pasta and salads.
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Die Saison
Classic German cuisine gets a modern international twist within the ornately detailed dark-green walls of the Herrenkrug Parkhotel's art-deco dining room. Gourmets on a budget can opt for the three-course menu for €16.50.
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Vienna
If you thought a schnitzel is a schnitzel is a schnitzel (with apologies to Gertrude Stein), you'll know better after tucking into the huge and juicy contenders at this popular Austrian outpost.
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Factory
On weekends, shaggy-haired students and skinny-jean hipsters invade this industrial space for concerts and a Happy Feet- inducing mix of indie rock, techno and hip hop.
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Strandbar
Grab a deck chair and sink your toes into tonnes of sand lugged to this riverside beach bar that's a fine spot for chilling down the day with cocktails and electro beats.
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Deep
This dimly lit basement bar is trendy but extremely friendly, with DJs at the decks Thursday to Saturday and killer cocktails nightly. Enter via Einsteinstrasse.
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Stern
For the cheapest beer around Hasselbachplatz, make a beeline to this alt-chic boîte with two floors of lounges and a dance floor. High flirt factor.
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Elbauenpark
One of Magdeburg's finest green patches, the Elbauenpark has rose, sculpture and other gardens, plus a butterfly house.
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Mausefalle
The crowds spilling out of here on weekends prove that Mausefalle's relaxed mix of drinks, music and the occasional bit of communal TV hits the spot.
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Bingöl Grill
In the wee hours, this unassuming Turkish shop gets howling with night owls hoping to restore balance to the brain with bulging doner kebabs.
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Stadthalle
From Mozart to Motörhead - as Magdeburg's premier venue, this 2000-seat venue in the leafy central park has pretty much heard it all.
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Johanniskirche
Popular for classical music concerts, this atmospheric church dates back, in parts, to 1131.
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Theater Magdeburg Opernhaus
The Magdeburg Philharmonic plays here, and it's also a venue for opera and ballet.
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Ratskeller
Average German food but all dishes are half price between 3pm and 5pm.
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