Sights in Erfurt
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Krämerbrücke
The 18m-wide and 120m-long medieval Krämerbrücke is Europe's longest bridge with houses. It was originally constructed from wood but rebuilt in stone in 1325 and adorned with churches at each end. Today the only church building remaining is the deconsecrated Aegideuskirche remains, now part of the Sorat Hotel.
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Dom
The Dom has origins as a simple chapel founded in 742 by St Boniface, but the Gothic pile you see today has the hallmarks of the 14th century. Check out the superb stained-glass windows (1370-1420) featuring biblical scenes; the Wolfram (1160), a bronze candelabrum in the shape of a man; the Gloriosa bell (1497); a Romanesque stucco Madonna; and the 14th-century choir stalls. The steps buttressing the cathedral make for a dramatic backdrop for the popular Domstufen-Festspiele, a classical music festival held every August.
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Alte Synagoge
The Alte Synagoge in Erfurt is one of the oldest Jewish houses of worship in Europe, with roots in the 12th century. After the pogrom of 1349, it was converted into a storehouse and, after later standing empty for decades, has now been restored as an exhibit space and museum. Since late 2009, a new exhibit documents the history of the building, although an even bigger draw is the treasure unearthed during recent excavations in Erfurt's Jewish quarter. It includes 600 pieces in all: rings, brooches, cutlery and, most famously, a super-rare golden Jewish marriage ring from the early 14th century.
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Augustinerkloster
It's Luther lore galore at the Augustinerkloster. This is where the reformer lived from 1505 to 1511, and where he was ordained as a monk and read his first mass. You're free to roam the grounds, visit the church, with its ethereal Gothic stained-glass windows, and attend the prayer services held by the resident Protestant sisters at 7am, noon and 6pm daily except Tuesday. Guided tours get you inside the monastery itself, including the cloister, a recreated Luther cell and an exhibit on the history of the Bible and Luther's life in Erfurt.
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Egapark
It's easy to spend hours amid the kaleidoscopic flower beds, romantic rose garden, Japanese rock garden and greenhouses of the rambling egapark, about 4km west of the city centre (take tram 2 from Anger). It's so huge that there's even a little trolley to whisk around the foot weary. Part of the park is the medieval Cyriaksburg citadel, now home to a horticultural museum. Climb to the top for fantastic views.
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Zitadelle Petersberg
One reason why Erfurt today has so many towers without churches attached, is that parts were demolished to erect the Zitadelle Petersberg, situated on a natural hill north of the Dom complex. The fortress has a fascinating series of subterranean tunnels within the walls, which can be viewed on a guided tour from the tourist office. The nearby Romanesque Peterskirche can be visited separately without a tour.
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Michaeliskirche
Erfurt's churches give an interesting insight into the city's history. The old university church Michaeliskirche boasts a magnificent organ (1652), made by local master Ludwig Compenius, and was a key gathering place of leading local dissidents during the final days of the GDR.
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Angermuseum
The Angermuseum has been undergoing restoration forever and we don't dare venture a guess at when it will again present its fine collections of medieval art, landscape paintings and Thuringian faience (glazed earthenware). 'Soon', say the tourist office folk.
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Severikirche
The Severikirche is a five-aisled hall church (1280) that counts a stone Madonna (1345), a 15m-high baptismal font (1467), and the sarcophagus of St Severus among its most prized treasures.
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Rathaus
The neo-Gothic Rathaus was built in 1870-75, has a series of murals depicting scenes from Luther's life, as well as the Tannhäuser and Faust legends. On the 3rd floor is an extravagant festival hall.
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Predigerkirche
Erfurt's churches give an interesting insight into the city's history. The Predigerkirche was completed in 1400, and has regular organ recitals in summer on its reconstructed baroque organ.
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Stadtmuseum
Inside the magnificent portal of the Haus am Stockfisch, the Stadtmuseum has exhibits ranging from a medieval bone-carver's workshop to displays on Erfurt in GDR times.
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Museum Für Thüringer Volkskunde
Swing by the Museum für Thüringer Volkskunde for folkloric costumes, painted furniture and other items illustrating village life throughout the ages.
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Kunsthalle Erfurt
Contemporary art mixes well with the Renaissance setting of the Haus zum Roten Ochsen now home to the Kunsthalle Erfurt.
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ega
West of the city centre is the ega, a huge garden showground centred on Cyriaksburg castle (Gothaer Strasse 38). Take tram 2 from Anger.
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Barfüsserkirche
The bomb-damaged Barfüsserkirche has a small collection of medieval art and hosts a summer theatre in its courtyard.
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Galerie Waidspeicher
Changing exhibitions of contemporary art can be found at Galerie Waidspeicher, inside the Kulturhof Krönbacken cultural centre.
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Galerie Haus Dacheröden
Changing exhibitions of contemporary art can be found at Galerie Haus Dacheröden.
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