Erfurt can be explored through a wide range of experiences: medieval Jewish heritage, an inhabited bridge, striking churches and expansive gardens. When planning your stay, it is worth grouping these themes according to your interests. The Old Town brings together several important historic sites, while egapark and the zoo offer different focal points.
Jewish Heritage and the Krämerbrücke
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jewish-Medieval Heritage in Erfurt lies in the heart of Erfurt’s Old Town. It comprises the Old Synagogue, the mikveh and the Stone House—rare and exceptionally well-preserved examples of Jewish buildings in Central Europe. The Old Synagogue presents evidence of Erfurt’s medieval Jewish culture. Its exceptionally well-preserved structure dates largely from around 1100 to the early 14th century, when the building was used as a synagogue. The mikveh’s original function as a ritual bath is also fully perceptible. The heritage also illustrates the coexistence of a Jewish community with a predominantly Christian society during the medieval development of the city at a crossroads of important trade routes.
The Krämerbrücke offers a different view of Erfurt’s Old Town and is one of the city’s landmarks. It is Europe’s longest continuously built-up and inhabited bridge: 32 houses stand along its 120 metres. A tasting is offered at Goldhelm, right on the bridge. Thus, historic Erfurt encompasses both the history of an important Jewish heritage and the distinctive architectural form of an inhabited bridge.
Domberg: Churches and Works of Art
From Domplatz, a 70-step flight of stairs leads up to Domberg, home to St Mary’s Cathedral and St Severus’ Church. The cathedral brings together different construction phases and styles: it includes a High Gothic choir, a Romanesque tower area and a Late Gothic west hall. The central tower houses the Gloriosa, the world’s largest medieval free-swinging bell.
St Severus’ Church is a five-aisled Gothic hall church and served as the collegiate church of a community of canons from the 12th century onwards. Its works of art include the Severi sarcophagus from 1365, whose side panels depict the saint’s life. There is also a stone Madonna from 1345 and a 15-metre-high baptismal font from 1467, along with other works of art. Those interested in architecture and art history will find a range of architectural styles and historical evidence from several centuries on Domberg. When planning your visit, bear in mind the specific route up the steps if you want to link Domplatz and Domberg.
Petersberg, Garden Art and the Zoo
Petersberg Citadel offers another historic focal point. It is one of the largest and the only largely preserved Baroque city fortress in Central Europe. Its elevated location provides several viewpoints with sweeping views over Erfurt; sunsets can be seen from the western bastion of St Michael. The panoramic path to the citadel starts at Domplatz and allows independent access without additional aids. During your visit, you can also explore the exhibition in the Commandant’s House and the listening passages inside the massive fortress walls.
egapark combines gardens with other attractions, including the Danakil Desert and Jungle House, the Knowledge Forest and the German Horticultural Museum. At Danakil, visitors pass through desert and tropical environments and learn how plants and animals have adapted to extreme living conditions. The park features 20 themed gardens and Europe’s largest ornamental flower bed, covering 6,000 square metres. The grounds also include Thuringia’s largest playground, covering 35,000 square metres, a children’s farm and a water area.
The Thuringian Zoopark Erfurt offers a different focus: it covers around 63 hectares, some enclosures can be entered, and the zoo participates in breeding programmes for endangered animal species. The attractions therefore differ considerably: egapark focuses on garden art, learning opportunities and play areas, while the zoo centres on animal enclosures and species conservation. Which of these themes interests you most may help shape your choice of activities during your stay.
Getting There and Finding Accommodation
Erfurt Central Station is an important hub on Deutsche Bahn’s ICE network. Long-distance and regional services connect there with the city’s local public transport. Check current connections when planning your specific journey. This way, you can choose Erfurt as a destination based on the places that interest you most during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Salomonsborn, Alach, Ermstedt, Kerspleben, Tiefthal, Frienstedt, Molsdorf, Niedernissa.
Return to the main travel overview: Erfurt.
