Citadel Petersberg and other Erfurt, Germany Things to Do Tips

In 1695, the first foundation stone was laid for one of the few remaining 17th century city fortifications to be found in Germany. Today the Petersberg Citadel is an impressive example of European fortification construction dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
More than 100 imperial diet (Reichstage) there meant importance for our German history.

After reunification 1990 it was extensively renovated. Today the greater part of the casemates, esplanades and bastions inside the fortification area are now open to visitors. The completion of the citadel and the Petersberg proved to be Erfurt’s largest undertaking. The area of the Petersberg including the Peterskirche (Romanesque basilica) overlooks Erfurt’s old city centre.
Had in summary an alternating history, was also a monastery, or garrison for Swedish army, French and Napoleon, in WWII or of GDR.

The view from Petersberg to the town is breathtaking!

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Directions: Above the center, direction of Cathedral
Website: http://www.petersberg.info/citadelle.php

Its exceptional meaning and its high importance are not to be looked on first view at the apparently simple building without a tower on the Petersberg, highly above the city Erfurt. Yet the former church of the once influential monastery of Benedicts St. Peter and Paul represents one of the earliest and most important Romance church buildings in Thuringia. Beginning of the 8th century had been established here the monastery of St. Paul which was in connection with a Franconian Königspfalz. It was transformed 1060 into a monastery of Benedicts.

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Address: Erfurt, Petersberg
Website: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterskirche_(Erfurt)

"Erfurt Cathedral is the most beautiful Church in the City and it is unique in Germany. St. Mary's Cathedral was and is Thuringia's main Catholic Church. After World War II, it attracted many Pilgrims and after Germany's reunification, it became Diocesan Church of the Erfurt Bishopric." This is the official description about that unique cathedral in Erfurt. From the far you see that special ensemble of the charming town. The Dom (Cathedral) and Severi church is so much impressive and the landmark of the town.

Another unique you can hear, seldom but than it is an event: the famous bell Gloriosa.
"The Gloriosa (of Erfurt Cathedral) is the outstanding specimen among the older bells to have survived. This is one of the finest achievements of European bell-casting and one of the largest bells to emerge from the Middle Ages , being about 2 meters high and 2.57 m across. "

During the XMas time the market is on the place of Cathedral, what an unique scenery, you should not miss that! And don´t miss the great festival in August (see that tip), too.

By the way, on website you can hear the voice of that great bell.

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Address: Erfurt, centre
Website: http://www.erfurt-guide.de/

Official description: "The Krämerbrücke / Merchants’ Bridge is Erfurt’s most interesting example of secular architecture. This arched stone bridge was constructed in 1325 over the river Gera where the original ford was located along the "via regia" trading route. The Krämerbrücke is the only bridge north of the Alps to be built over entirely with houses that are still used as residences. In medieval times there were two churches built at either end of the bridge, one of which, the Ägidienkirche, is still in existence."

Nothing more to add. Sitting at mild evenings and nights close to that bridge, or in a restaurant outside, that means pure romance. On six arches stood originally 62 narrow houses which were summarized, meanwhile, on 32.

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Address: Erfurt, centre
Website: http://www.kraemerbruecke.de/

The neo-Gothic town hall on Fischmarkt was built between 1870 and 1874. Inside is a series of murals depicting legends, scenes from Luther's life and images from Erfurt's history.

Official description: " The Fischmarkt is located at the historical intersection where the "via regia" (the Royal Road) met the old north-south trading route. Besides the town-hall, there are several beautiful Renaissance houses in the same area such as the "Haus zum roten Ochsen" (1562) and the "Haus zum Breiten Herd" (1584) as well as a statue of St. Martin dressed in the attire of a Roman soldier. The statue was nicknamed "Roland" by the people of Erfurt."

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Address: Erfurt, center
Website: http://www.erfurt.de/ef/en/sightseeing/part2/

The "Prediger" Church , which is now the main Protestant church in Erfurt and the city’s second largest church (after the cathedral).

The church of the Dominican or Prediger monks 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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Address: Erfurt
Directions: center
Website: http://www.erfurt.de/ef/de/erleben/sehenswertes/dom/00614.shtml

The church and monastery of the Augustinian hermits was built around 1300.

Martin Luther, the famous Augustinian monk, was admitted to the monastery on 17 July 1505. The Augustinian Monastery pays tribute to Martin Luther with a new exhibition whose theme is Bible-Monastery-Luther.
The Lutherzelle (Luther's cell) can be visited as part of the exhibition. Since 1988 the monastery has been used as an ecumenical conference centre and a memorial to Luther.

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Directly on Fish Market in center of town and in front of town hall is that hose of art, inside of the "Hauses zum m Roten Ochsen". That building is an famous historical one.
Klassical and modern Art!

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Address: Erfurt
Directions: center, Fischmarkt
Website: http://www.kunsthalle-erfurt.de/

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