| Erfurt | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms and flag   | ||
| State | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Federated state | Thuringia | |
| Region | Central Germany | |
| Altitude | 194 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 269.17 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 204.880 (2013 estimate) | |
| Prefix tel | 49 361, 36208, 36202, 36203, 36204, 30361 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 99084–99099 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Erfurt it is the capital of the federated state German of Thuringia.
To know
Geographical notes
Erfurt is located in the center of Germany, after reunification it is in fact the closest large city to the geographic center of the country.
It is located in the southern part of the Thüringer Becken, in a broad valley of the Gera River, a tributary of the Unstrut River. To the south the city is surrounded by wooded hills (Steigerwald). The municipal territory extends for 21 km from north to south and for 22.4 km from east to west.
How to orient yourself
Erfurt: full screen map.How to get
By plane
Erfurt is served by a local airport but it is small enough to serve only very few destinations, all within a short radius except for tourist charters for Turkey. For international flights and for those who want to visit the city from Italy, therefore, it is advisable to look for flights to the largest airports in Leipzig-Halle (Saale) or for Frankfurt am Main, both well connected to the city.
On the train
There 1 Central Station of Erfurt is an important railway hub of the Frankfurt-Halle line and is located where this line intersects with trains coming from the Ruhr, in particular from the cities of Kassel, Erfurt is ChemnitzFurther connections are available with the cities of Göttingen is Würzburg through ICE fast trains.
On foot
For centuries Erfurt has stood on an ancient Roman road, called "Via Regia"which in addition to being a pilgrimage route, was also the ancient trade route to and from the Hanseatic cities. Today it still serves as a connection route and is used by those brave adventurers who decide to take a medieval itinerary for some of the most beautiful German cities.
How to get around
By public transport
In the city there is a well-designed tram transport system managed by the EVAG company. On the official website you will find maps and information on the main stations, arranged along the 6 lines, all with a single origin near the central railway station.
What see
- 1 Cathedral of S. Maria, Domstufen 1, ☎ 49 361 576960.
09:30-17:00. The cathedral is undoubtedly the most famous sacred building in Erfurt and together with the towers of San Severino stands out for its beauty in the city panorama. The entrance to both churches is preceded by a long staircase (48 steps), which is why the square has taken the name of "Vor den Graden" (in front of the steps). What makes this cathedral unique is its irregularity, the result of many extensions and restorations that have taken place over time. An example is the wide nave (or rather the "hall" of the ancient church): built in 1153 and completely rebuilt in the 15th century in the Gothic style. In addition to the architectural masterpiece that the church itself represents, a whole series of real treasures that you can admire inside are added. One for all is the monument to Count Ernesto III. The north tower also houses a bell weighing almost 12 tons while to the west, almost hidden, you can see a niche with a mosaic representation of the Madonna, a Venetian work of a genius like Salviati.
09:30-17:00. The cathedral is undoubtedly the most famous sacred building in Erfurt and together with the towers of San Severino stands out for its beauty in the city panorama. The entrance to both churches is preceded by a long staircase (48 steps), which is why the square has taken the name of "Vor den Graden" (in front of the steps). What makes this cathedral unique is its irregularity, the result of many extensions and restorations that have taken place over time. An example is the wide nave (or rather the "hall" of the ancient church): built in 1153 and completely rebuilt in the 15th century in the Gothic style. In addition to the architectural masterpiece that the church itself represents, a whole series of real treasures that you can admire inside are added. One for all is the monument to Count Ernesto III. The north tower also houses a bell weighing almost 12 tons while to the west, almost hidden, you can see a niche with a mosaic representation of the Madonna, a Venetian work of a genius like Salviati.Museums
- Angermuseum. City history museum.
- Civic Museum (Stadtmuseum Erfurt), Johannesstraße 169, ☎ 49 361 65556 59, @[email protected].
€ 6 (reduced: € 4, family price: € 13). Tue-Sun: 10 am-6pm. In a nutshell: 1250 years of history, well documented, enclosed in a single building. - Natural History Museum (Naturkundemuseum Erfurt), Große Arche 14, ☎ 49 361 65556-80, @[email protected]. € 6 (reduced: € 4, family price: € 13). Tue-Sun: 10.00 - 18.00.
- German Gardening Museum (Deutsches Gartenbaumuseum), Gothaer Straße 50, ☎ 49 361 223 990, @[email protected]. Tue-Sun: 10.00 - 18.00 (only from February to November, the rest of the year by reservation). Over its 1500 square meters of extension, the gardening museum represents nearly 30 styles of gardening.
€ 6 (reduced: € 4, family price: € 13). Events and parties
- Spring festival in the old town (Altstadtfrühling). April.
- Magdeburger-Allee-Fest. first week of June. During this festival the city fills up, especially near the historic center, with street vendors and street musicians.
- Fête de la Musique. June 21st. Festival dedicated to music; a whole series of concerts for music lovers are organized during this day and in the days before and after, all absolutely free. An opportunity to take advantage of!
- Domstufenfestival. various events throughout the month of July. The cathedral festival sees rock concerts and events for all ages every year enliven the Piazza del Duomo.
- Feast of San Martino (Martinsfest). November 10-11.
In December then, as in all large German cities, countless - and often spontaneous - markets, small neighborhood parties and events full of lights, decorations and sweets are organized.
What to do
- 1 Going to the theater (Theater Erfurt), Theaterplatz 1, ☎ 49 361 22 33 155, @[email protected].
Shopping
How to have fun
- [link not working]Tarantula, Johannesstraße 149. Pub aimed at a young audience who love Hardrock music.
- Klanggerüst, Borntalweg 3. Local managed by the association in support of artists. It is one of the few places where you can listen to a wide choice of musical genres, where German clubs "specialize" in a genre by gathering only a certain clientele. Here, however, the diversity of music, audiences and styles are the masters.
- Engelsburg, Allerheiligenstr. 20/21. Typical Studentenpub, frequented by young university students for an evening beer and to listen to some music.
- C1, Steigerstrasse 18. Black & House oriented music venue.
- CENTRUM, Marbacher Gasse 10. One of the best nightclubs in Erfurt, much loved by the young crowd.
- Joue Joue Houseclub, Winzerstrasse 52. Musale entirely devoted to house music.
- MusikPark, Willy-Brandt-Platz 1. A stone's throw from the central station, it's a great place if you are an R&B music lover.
- [link not working]ETC- Test it Party, Marbacher Gasse 10. Gay-friendly place
Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- Weimar - the city of German romantics can be reached in a quarter of an hour by train.
- Jena - second only to Weimar in terms of literary importance it is - as well as Leipzig - one hour by train.
- Arnstadt - (20 km South-West, on state 4) - is the oldest city in the Land Thuringia; retains a historic center of the thirteenth century.
- Gotha - (25 km West, state 7) - fifth largest city in the Land, it houses an interesting castle and a natural history museum.
- Wurstel Museum - (30 km south-west along the A 4 motorway and taking the exit for the village of Wandersleben).
- Sömmerda - (31 km North on the A 71 motorway) - historic city, with its fortifications dominates the geographic center of the region.
- Bad Langensalza - (36 km north-west on state 4, exit Andisleben) - the city is located not far from the Hainich National Park;
- Ilmenau - (44 km South on the A 71 motorway) - one of the cities that have taken the name of the great German scholar as a nickname: Goethe.
- Hohenfelden is Stausee Hohenfelden are two places about twenty kilometers south of Erfurt, much loved by the Germans for the many recreational activities that are organized here and fill the free time not only of their inhabitants but of all those in the surrounding area.
