Sights of Erfurt
Being the capital of Thuringia, Erfurt has unique features, such as its surprisingly intact medieval old town and its status as an important trading town at the junction between France and Russia and between Northern Germany and Italy.
Unless otherwise indicated, admission is free, opening hours are 24/7, and the sight is located centrally.
Anger
You can feel the city’s energy in the Anger. Many people cross the square every day, and you can see historic architecture while doing some shopping.
Angerbrunnen
Neuwerkstraße, 99084 Erfurt, Germany
This fountain on the west end of the Anger caught my attention because someone had placed a fresh rose in the hand of one of the statues.
Erfurt Cathedral
Domstufen 1, 99084 Erfurt, Germany
Home of the largest medieval bell in the world, Erfurt Cathedral sits on a hillside.
The front door’s knocker seems a bit Asian to me.
My favorite part about the church is the stained glass windows. Each one tells a different story.
Admission and hours
Unless you want to take part in a guided tour, you can walk in and look around for free. It’s open during the following times:
- November-April: Mondays-Saturdays 09:30-17:00 and Sundays 13:00-17:00
- May-October: Mondays-Saturdays 09:30-18:00 and Sundays 13:00-18:00
Erinnerungsort Topf & Söhne
Sorbenweg 7, 99099 Erfurt, Germany
A grim history awaits you at Topf & Söhne: it’s where the furnaces used at Auschwitz were manufactured.
Out front, you can see a model of what the area used to look like when furnace-production was in full swing.
Admission and hours
Admission is free, and exhibits are open to visitors Tuesdays-Sundays from 10:00-18:00.
Getting there and back
The site is located about 20 minutes southeast of city center if you go on foot.
Krämerbrücke
The medieval Merchant’s Bridge is still inhabited today, which is remarkable. It’s lined with half-timbered houses on both sides and doesn’t even feel like a bridge while you’re walking across it. Only when you look at it from the outside can you tell that it sits on a river.
Zitadelle Petersberg
This fort gives you a good view of the city and is just northwest of Erfurt Cathedral.
While I was visiting Erfurt, their Oktoberfest was going on, and the fort was a great place to watch the ferris wheel spinning around in the Domplatz.
Admission and hours
From what I could tell, you can walk in anytime without worrying about admission, but if you want to go on a guided tour, you’ll have to book one through the Erfurt Tourist Office.