Summary of Best Activities in Erfurt
A city boasting over 1,200 years of history, Erfurt serves as the capital of the Free State of Thuringia and hosts one of Germany’s most intact Medieval centers.
Here, St. Mary’s Cathedral captivates visitors with its Romanesque and Gothic artistry, while the Krämerbrücke stands as a striking bridge adorned with charming timber-framed merchants’ houses.
It was in Erfurt that Martin Luther entered the Augustinian Monastery as a monk. Furthermore, in the late 18th century, the city was a prominent center for the Enlightenment, drawing renowned figures such as Goethe, Schiller, and Wilhelm von Humboldt.
Erfurt is also home to one of Europe’s oldest preserved synagogues, alongside a complete Baroque fortress, picturesque squares, and poignant memorials commemorating the GDR era and Holocaust.
Let us explore the top attractions in Erfurt:
1. Krämerbrücke (Merchants’ Bridge)
This enchanting Medieval bridge features a line of half-timbered houses crossing a branch of the River Gera.
At 79 meters, it is the longest Medieval bridge in Europe that continues to support inhabited houses.
The quaint merchants’ houses now serve various purposes, including galleries, cafés, antique shops, studios, wine merchants, delicatessens, and boutiques, with apartments located on the upper floors.
The bridge was first mentioned in the 1100s and was reconstructed with limestone and sandstone in 1325 after surviving seven fires in the 12th and 13th centuries. This crossing formed a significant part of Europe’s medieval trade network, the Via Regia, highlighting its enduring association with commerce.
2. Erfurt Cathedral
Perched atop a hill, Erfurt’s impressive Gothic cathedral was primarily constructed during the 1300s and 1400s.
There has been a religious edifice on this site since 742, when St. Boniface established a church.
The cathedral is remarkably adorned with Medieval artistry, starting with the 18-meter tracery windows in the high choir, which are largely original and were installed between 1370 and 1420. The oak stalls in the choir are particularly exceptional, carved in the 1360s and featuring 89 seats arranged in twin 17.5-meter rows.
Notable artifacts include a stucco retable depicting the Virgin and Child from 1160 and the remarkable Wolfram candelabra, dating from around the same period.
The cathedral’s middle tower houses the Maria Gloriosa, recognized as the world’s largest free-swinging Medieval bell, cast in 1497 and weighing an impressive 11.45 tons.
3. Domplatz
The city’s largest square, this expansive 3.5-hectare plaza lies beneath the cathedral.
From Monday to Saturday, a market offering an array of fruits, vegetables, sausages, eggs, honey, cheese, and specialty delicacies takes place in the mornings, and this market tradition may date back to the 8th or 9th century.
Domplatz is also the principal venue for Erfurt’s notable Christmas market each December.
Several monuments attract attention, including the Erthal-Obelisk, erected in 1777 to commemorate the inaugural visit of the new Archbishop-Elector Friedrich Karl Joseph von Erthal, largely funded by Erfurt’s citizens.
Crowned with a statue of the Roman Goddess, the Minervabrunnen, constructed in 1784, stands as Erfurt’s oldest surviving fountain and was the last of the city’s original 55 public drinking fountains.
4. Zitadelle Petersberg
Encompassing 12 hectares on Petersberg hill in the heart of Erfurt, this site is recognized as the largest and best-preserved Baroque city fortress in Central Europe.
The fortress features eight bastions connected by a two-kilometer parapet wall that reaches heights of 23 meters, offering splendid views of the city.
Beneath these fortifications lie counter mines, an underground system of tunnels designed to thwart miners employed by attackers during sieges; guided tours, organized by the tourist office, allow visitors to explore these tunnels.
The citadel was established in 1665 by the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz and subsequently utilized by the Prussian Empire.
Following Reunification, the site was transformed into a tourist attraction, while its structures now serve as government offices, cultural facilities, and private residences.
5. Augustinerkloster
A noteworthy site along Germany’s Luther trail, this Augustinian monastery is where Martin Luther embarked on his monastic journey, residing here from 1505 to 1511. Luther made several returns, notably in 1521 when he delivered a sermon challenging the Catholic Church’s theology.
Visitors can explore a reconstruction of Luther’s cell and gain insight into his connection with Erfurt through the monastery’s exhibition.
The complex itself dates back to the late 13th century, with much of its architectural work completed in the early 14th century.
6. Fischmarkt
Located to the west of Krämerbrücke is Fischmarkt, which served as the social hub of the city during the Middle Ages.
The first town hall was established here in 1275, and the current Neo-Gothic structure, erected in 1875, occupies the same site.
Visitors are encouraged to venture inside to admire the stunning murals that depict significant moments in Thuringian history and scenes from Martin Luther’s life.
In front of the town hall stands the Römersäule, a monument from 1591 featuring a Roman soldier holding the city’s flag in his right hand.
Flanking the square are several exquisite Renaissance houses built by Erfurt’s affluent citizens: on the north side, Haus zum Breiten Herd showcases a splendid polychrome facade designed by the Brabantic master Frans Floris, while Haus zum Roten Ochsen on the west side features a frieze on the ground floor depicting the muses.
7. Egapark
Once dominated by a fortress, this 265-meter hill to the southwest of Erfurt was transformed into a public park in the 1880s and has undergone expansions since.
During the GDR era, the grounds were developed for the International Gardening Exhibition in 1961. The outstanding architecture and landscaping from this project, designed by Reinhold Lingner, continues to be celebrated, and post-Reunification, the park has evolved into one of Germany’s premiere horticultural destinations.
The park features the country’s largest ornamental flowerbed, which boasts 150,000 flowers during spring.
Additionally, there is a rose garden showcasing 450 different varieties, a Japanese garden, and greenhouses housing butterflies, cacti, tropical plants, and an impressive 300 species of orchids.
Two towers from the original fortress, dating to the 16th century, still stand, and one of these includes a viewing platform elevated 21 meters above the park.
8. Old Synagogue
Dating back to the 1000s, Erfurt’s Old Synagogue is recognized as one of the best-preserved Medieval synagogues in Europe.
Most of the structure originates from the 13th century, yet its role as a place of worship was abruptly halted in 1349 following the massacre and expulsion of Erfurt’s Jewish community.
After this, it served as a warehouse for several centuries.
Remarkably, due to a loss of memory regarding its significance by the 20th century, this critical piece of Jewish heritage remained untouched during the Nazi regime.
In 2009, the Old Synagogue was re-opened as a museum, enriched with artifacts discovered in Erfurt during excavations.
Among its treasures is a 13th-century Mikveh (ritual bath), facsimiles of Medieval religious manuscripts, and the Erfurt Treasure.
This collection of coins, ingots, and jewels was uncovered in the wall of a Medieval house in 1998 and is believed to date back to the time of the aforementioned massacre.
9. Angermuseum
Erfurt’s art museum is housed within one of the city’s most stunning structures, an early 18th-century Baroque facility originally designed for packing and weighing goods at Anger square.
The museum hosts an extensive collection of fine and applied arts spanning from the Middle Ages to contemporary works.
Particularly noteworthy is the sacred art from the latter half of the 14th century, specifically the sandstone sculptures and four panels from the altar of the Augustinerkloster.
Visitors should also seek out the later Renaissance altar paintings believed to have been created by Lucas Cranach the Elder or his workshop.
Additionally, make sure to view Erich Heckel’s striking Expressionist mural and the porcelain collection featuring Thuringian figurines, tableware, sculptures, and reliefs from the 1700s to the 1900s.
10. Wenigemarkt
At the eastern terminus of Krämerbrücke lies another picturesque square, which closely resembles Fischmarkt on the opposite bank of the Gera.
The Ägidienkirche, located on the square’s north side, represents the eastern approach to Krämerbrücke, with its current structure dating to the 16th century.
In pleasant weather, the square is adorned with seating from nearby bars and restaurants, while during Christmas, Wenigemarkt transforms into a quaint market village illuminated by festive lighting.
Additionally, there is a fountain, Raufende Knaben (scuffling boys), crafted by the Magdeburg sculptor Heinrich Apel in the mid-1970s, located on the southeast side of the square.
11. Predigerkirche
For those who retain an interest in religious architecture, the Predigerkirche (Preacher’s Church) is likely to hold your fascination for an hour or more.
This former monastery church was established in the 1200s and later enhanced in the Late Gothic style of the 1300s and 1400s.
In 1989, Predigerkirche served as a significant gathering place for protesters during the Peaceful Revolution: one notable meeting in October of that year attracted as many as 4,000 attendees.
Take some time to appreciate the many ledger stones of Erfurt’s noble families, which were unearthed during restoration projects in the 1960s and date from the 1300s to the 1700s.
Interestingly, Johannes Bach, the great-uncle of composer Johann Sebastian Bach, served as the organist at Predigerkirche from 1636 to 1673.
12. Erinnerungsort Topf & Söhne
The company J. A. Topf und Söhne faced insolvency in 1994, and in 2011, this memorial was inaugurated at its headquarters.
During World War II, the company supplied ovens and ventilation systems for the gas chambers at Auschwitz.
This site is distinct, as it constitutes the only memorial focusing on the complicity of private enterprises in the Holocaust.
An exhibition on the upper floor showcases intriguing artifacts such as telegrams indicating direct communication with SS officials and documents outlining orders and the delivery of the equipment.
Particular emphasis is placed on the experiences of Sonderkommandos, the work units composed of prisoners within death camps.
On the lower level, there is a conference room where videos are screened and visitors can share their insights regarding the memorial.
13. Gedenk- und Bildungsstätte Andreasstraße
Located on Andreasstraße, this former detention center operated by the Stasi during the GDR era housed over 5,000 political dissidents.
In December 2013, a three-floor exhibition was established, featuring restored prison cells, archival photographs, and videos in which former detainees recount their experiences at the center as well as the events of December 4, 1989. During that pivotal day, protesters occupied the Stasi’s district administration in Erfurt, marking a substantial moment as it was the first Stasi facility overtaken during the Peaceful Revolution.
14. Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt
A wonderful option for families visiting Erfurt, the zoo features nearly 350 different animal species and is particularly proud of its collection of large African mammals.
Among the notable residents are lions, giraffes, and white rhinoceroses; in 2014, the zoo unveiled a substantial new habitat for African elephants.
Visitors can observe these majestic creatures both indoors and outdoors in an environment artfully designed with rocks and water features.
Additionally, the Afrika-Savanne habitat showcases zebras, ostriches, impalas, and antelopes cohabiting in a spacious enclosure.
The zoo also features various monkeys, reptiles, kangaroos, emus, an open area for bison, and two farm areas with sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, and horses.
Out of the total 63 hectares, 15 are allocated for grassy areas and woodlands, providing visitors ample opportunity to find a peaceful picnic spot.
15. Thüringer Bratwurst
The local sausage in Erfurt holds Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) under EU regulations.
A Thüringer Bratwurst measures thinly and spans up to 20 centimeters in length, renowned for its distinctively spicy flavor.
This sausage, made from a blend of pork and beef, is traditionally seasoned with garlic, pepper, marjoram, caraway, and sometimes coriander and nutmeg.
By regulation, more than half of the ingredients must be sourced from Thuringia.
The preparation involves grilling the sausage over charcoal and serving it in a round roll where the ends protrude from either side.
In Erfurt, the favored condiment is mustard, supplied by the local Born brand, which has a rich heritage of nearly 200 years.
