Erfurt

Travel times from Münster:
Train – 4 hours, 30 mins.
Car – 3 hours, 30 mins.

Erfurt became a pilgrimage destination of sorts with the reunification of Germany. Thousands of Americans poured into this former East German city to see where Martin Luther studied, to bow heads where he prayed, to walk the same medieval streets, and even to sleep where he slept. But there is far more to this city than Luther, particularly when it comes to masterpieces of medieval architecture, and the compact Altstadt makes for easy exploration of the many neighboring historic sights.

Erfurt’s landmark is the unique ensemble of both the Mariendom (Cathedral of Mary) and the Severikirche (St. Severus Church) that majestically dominates the cityscape. These architectural masterpieces of German Gothic style are imposing examples of the art of church architecture. Inside the cathedral one can view the impressive Gothic choir with its colorful cycle of stained glass windows. The 13 windows are more than 40 feet high and are considered to be among the greatest works of medieval stained glass art.

The Krämerbrücke is Erfurt’s most interesting piece of secular architecture. The stone, arched bridge was constructed in 1325 over the Gera River ford, built through and following the trading route of the "via regia". The original 62 narrow houses on the bridge have over time been amalgamated to form the present 32 houses, and it is recognized as the longest bridge of its kind in Europe. In medieval times there were churches built at either end of the bridge, one of which, the Ägidienkirche, is still in existence.

The Augustinerkloster (Augustinian Monastery), dating back to 1277, houses an exhibition that shows the life and work of its resident of six years, Martin Luther. Also not to be missed is the Petersberg Citadel, the only extensively preserved Baroque town fortress in central Europe. It has an intricate maze of underground passageways waiting to be explored.

Erfurt became one of the richest cities of the Middle Ages thanks to the woad plant, which provided the primary source of blue dye for textiles. The value of the finished dye powder matched that of gold until the early 15th century, when demand fell due to imports of tropical indigo die.  In a district of old woad warehouses, one of which is open to tour, narrow alleys still show the marks of medieval wagon wheels.

In more recent times, this beautiful city has bloomed into the reputation of Europe’s “Flower City,” and a visit in springtime is a delight for the senses. A city of parks and gardens, it boasts Germany’s largest flower bed (6,000 square meters) in the ega-Park. The “ega” is a gardening exhibition center built around the 500-year-old Cyriaksburg fortress and is a testament to man’s ability to find harmony with nature in landscape gardening. Just behind the train station, City Park rises with a series of stone terraces. The old Brühl Park, built as a refuge for nobility in the 18th century and now gone quite literally to seed, is being tamed and manicured.