Our top sights in Erfurt at a glance
Since almost all of Erfurt's sights are located in the Old Town, you can easily explore the top highlights in one afternoon. First of all, here is an overview of our top sights in Erfurt:
Here we present the most beautiful highlights in Erfurt. Places you simply have to see!
Krämerbrücke
Erfurt Cathedral
St. Severi Church
Fish market
Old Synagogue
Erfurt Town Hall
Aegidien Church
KiKa figures
Protestant Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt
Petersberg Citadel
1st Krämerbrücke: the TOP sight in Erfurt
It is the top sightseeing attraction in Erfurt and also the city's landmark: the Krämerbrücke. Krämerbrücke is also the oldest secular building in Erfurt (unlike a church, for example).
The Krämerbrücke is the longest continuously built and inhabited bridge in Europe and is reminiscent of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. The 120-metre-long bridge crosses the Gera river. It stretches from Benediktsplatz to Wenigemarkt.
The Krämerbrücke was once built of wood. Due to many city fires, it was then decided to use a stone construction for safety reasons. After a devastating city fire in 1472, the bridge was rebuilt with 62 half-timbered houses standing on it. Over the years, these grew into larger houses, so that today you will only count 32 dwellings on the bridge.
Nowadays, you'll mainly find small shops for individual arts and crafts, delicacies and antiques on the Krämerbrücke, which invite you to stroll around. The colourful shutters are particularly beautiful, inviting you to study the shop windows and displays right away.
The best view of the sight with its picturesque houses and impressive bridge arches is from the river. All you have to do is descend the stone steps of the bridge.
Tip: The Krämerbrücke is not only a wonderful photo opportunity, but also a paradise for those with a sweet tooth. At the Goldhelm Schokoladen Manufaktur(website), all fans of brown gold will get their money's worth. The ice cream shop next door also takes you on a journey into the world of indulgence with its unusual ice cream varieties. Vegan breakfast is available at Café Füchsen, for example.
2 Erfurt Cathedral
The imposing Domplatz (cathedral square ) is another must-see sight in Erfurt. There are about 70 cathedral steps in front of you, which take you up to the so-called Domberg. Two important highlights await you here: Erfurt Cathedral and the Severi Church.
Erfurt Cathedral (left) is another famous sight in the state capital. To the right is the Church of St. Severi
The High Cathedral Church of St. Mary in Erfurt, better known as Erfurt Cathedral, is over 81 metres high and the most important and oldest church in Erfurt. It impresses with its Romanesque and Gothic elements.
A first bishop's church was built on the site of today's cathedral as early as 742. St. Mary's was first mentioned in a document in 1117 and built as a late Romanesque basilica in the 12th century. The church was consecrated as early as 1182, but was not completed until the 13th century. Further reconstruction measures followed.
During the Second World War, the roof and some of the windows of the imposing church were badly damaged. This resulted in a lot of restoration work in the church, which somehow never stopped.
Particularly worth seeing inside the cathedral are the late Gothic stained glass cycle in the high choir and the choir stalls. Both the windows and the choir are among the best-preserved medieval examples of their kind.
Another highlight awaits you at the top of the central tower. Among the 13 cathedral bells is Gloriosa, the "queen of all bells". With a mass of 11.45 tonnes and a diameter of 2.56 metres, it is the largest free-swinging church bell in the world that dates back to the Middle Ages. You can enjoy its unique sound on certain holidays.
Tip: From April to October, guided tours of the tower and bells are offered on the last three weekends of the month. If you want to admire the Gloriosa at close quarters, you should book in good time by telephone. You can find the telephone number on the cathedral's website.
3 St. Severi's Church
Next to Erfurt Cathedral stands St. Severi's Church on the Domberg. Both churches form a unique architectural ensemble and are one of the city's landmarks.
St. Severi's Church stands right next to the imposing cathedral and is another "must see" in Erfurt.
The Severi Church is a five-nave hall church in the Gothic style. It was built around 708 AD. In 1079, the name of the church is found in writings that report how Henry IV set fire to it during his campaign of conquest.
As the church was in danger of collapsing, it had to be rebuilt again in the 1270s. In the city fire of 1472, the Severi Church was badly damaged and rebuilt in late Gothic style. During Napoleon's rule over Erfurt, the church was even put up for sale. The fact that it still stands in Erfurt today is thanks to the fact that no buyer came forward.
St. Severi also suffered major damage during the Second World War, which meant that it had to be almost completely renovated. In the interior, you can admire the sarcophagus of the church patron Severus of Ravenna, among other things. It is one of the most important pieces of furnishings in the Church of St. Severus.
4th Fish Market
From the Domberg we stroll through Erfurt's pedestrian zone to the historic centre of the city, the fish market. It is lined with many historic buildings and is one of the city's most beautiful sights.
The fish market was first mentioned in a document in 1293. In the Middle Ages, various markets were held here, so that the square developed into the social centre of the city and a first town hall was built in 1275.
In 1591, a column with an armed warrior (the "Roland") was erected on the fish market. With this, the citizens wanted to show the ecclesiastical authorities that they would defend their imperial city freedoms by force of arms if necessary.
The "Roland" is something like the Statue of Liberty in Erfurt.
Around the square you can admire magnificent patrician houses from the Renaissance. They demonstrate the wealth of Erfurt in the early modern period. The Haus zum Roten Ochsen (Fischmarkt 7) is fascinating because of the frieze on its façade, which features the muses, the ancient planetary gods and, in the centre, the red ox with golden horns that gives the building its name. Nowadays the building is used as an art gallery.
The Haus zum Breiten Herd (Fish Market 11) is also worth more than just a look. On the façade on the first floor are the personified representations of the five senses. Can you tell which sense it is?
Travel guide for your city trip to Erfurt
The following travel guide shows you the most beautiful places in Erfurt and gives you lots of helpful tips for your stay in the capital of Thuringia. With it in your luggage, your city trip is guaranteed to be a special experience.
*Advertising link / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5th Old Synagogue
Hidden in a courtyard between Fischmarkt and Waagegasse is an unusual sight: the Old Synagogue. It is over 900 years old and thus one of the oldest in Europe. According to some reports, it can also call itself the oldest synagogue in Central Europe that has been preserved up to the roof.
The oldest components date back to the 11th century. In 1349, when the plague raged through Europe, a pogrom took place in Erfurt in which almost all the city's Jews were murdered. The synagogue was also damaged. Afterwards, the sacred building was used as a warehouse.
From the end of the 19th century, the building belonged to the "Zur Feuerkugel" inn and was also given a dance hall and two bowling alleys. Due to the many changes, it was no longer even noticeable that this was a synagogue. As a result, however, the building survived the Nazi era unscathed.
In 1992, building inspections showed that the synagogue had been largely preserved and was of special architectural-historical value. After protracted negotiations with the new owner, who wanted to use it for gastronomy again, the city of Erfurt succeeded in buying the Old Synagogue in 1998.
In the same year, the Erfurt Treasure was found not far from the synagogue, presumably buried during the pogrom of 1349. The unique treasure consists of silver coins, silver ingots and forged art made of gold.
In order to make the synagogue recognisable again from the outside, intensive renovation work was carried out from 1999 onwards. In 2007, a medieval mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath, was discovered on the Krämerbrücke, which today, along with the synagogue and cemetery, is an important part of the Jewish community.
In 2009, the Museum of the Old Synagogue opened, telling the story of the Jewish community in Erfurt. Here you can learn more about Jewish life in the Middle Ages and admire the Erfurt Treasure and the Erfurt Hebrew manuscripts.
A visit to this top sight is a very special experience that you should not miss. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside.
Tip: To let the many impressions sink in, a visit to the Feuerkugel inn is a good idea. In this cosy restaurant you can enjoy traditional Thuringian cuisine. In particular, you can look forward to dishes with homemade Thuringian dumplings. At Faustfood in Waagegasse you can get another delicious speciality: the famous Thuringian Rostbratwurst. Enjoy it!
6 Erfurt City Hall
Erfurt's stately town hall is also located at Fischmarkt. The origins of the building date back to the 11th century, and the town hall was first mentioned in 1275 and repeatedly expanded until 1706.
Erfurt's town hall, located directly on the famous fish market, is enchantingly beautiful and should not be missed on any stroll through the city.
From 1830, the old Gothic town hall was demolished due to minor roof damage, and in 1869 construction began on the present town hall in neo-Gothic style. It is probably the most imposing building on the fish market and makes a great photo motif.
The interior of the town hall is adorned with many wall paintings worth seeing, which retell Erfurt and Thuringian history and legends. The richly decorated staircases are open to the public and feature works by Eduard Kaempffer, depicting scenes from the Faust and Tannhäuser sagas and also stories of the Count of Gleichen.
7th Ägidien Church
At the eastern end of the Krämerbrücke is the Ägidienkirche, a so-called bridgehead church. This means that it stood at the head of the bridge, and on the other side there was another church, which no longer exists. The Ägidienkirche was mentioned in a document in 1110 as a chapel. It too was ravaged by fire. The building that still exists today was rebuilt in 1293.
The Ägidienkirche is another exciting attraction in Erfurt that is well worth a visit.
The ground floor was an open hall in the Middle Ages and was used as a salesroom. After services ceased in 1615 and the church was sold, it was partly used as a warehouse.
In 1927, the church was bought back and since its restoration from 1957 to 1960, it has once again been used for services by the Evangelical Methodist Church. Incidentally, the Ägidienkirche is considered the oldest church in the world used by Methodists.
The 33-metre-high church tower is open daily for visitors and offers a breathtaking view of the Krämerbrücke, the Domberg and the Petersburg Citadel. You shouldn't miss this highlight.
Tip: St. Egidio's Church is located on Wenigemarkt, where cafés, bars and restaurants are lined up end to end. It's not for nothing that the area around the former trading place is called the "pub district". The Café Tikolor (aka Tiko), for example, is highly recommended for its live music in the evenings. Thuringia also has a long history of mustard production. On Wenigemarkt you'll find the traditional Born mustard shop(website) with a mustard museum.
8 KiKa figures: fun for young and old alike
Children are not the only ones who will enjoy the next sight. The KiKa figures are popular characters from children's television that can be found throughout Erfurt's old town.
The idea to erect the figures came about on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the children's channel, which is based in Erfurt, in 2007. At that time, Bernd the Bread was the first figure to be erected. Over the years, television favourites such as the Sandman, Mouse and Elephant or the Tiger Duck were added.
The KiKa figures are an absolute highlight for kids in Erfurt and a reason to visit the city with the whole family.
On a walk around the city, you will now come across twelve figure ensembles that make cool photo motifs. More are already being planned. Will you manage to find all of them?
In any case, keep your eyes open. Our tip: you'll definitely find them at the city's top sights. The Kikaninchen, for example, can be found at the Krämerbrücke playground. Exploring it turns a city tour into an exciting scavenger hunt with lots of fun for young and old alike.
9th Protestant Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt
It's not far from Wenigemarkt to our next top attraction. The Protestant Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt is not only an outstanding example of medieval architectural order, but also an important Luther site.
In 1277, the Augustinian hermits began building the Augustinian church and the extensive monastery complex. Martin Luther lived here as a monk from 1505 to 1511. He was ordained a priest in 1507 and read his first mass in the Augustinian Church.
The lion and parrot window of the church also contains the model of the Luther rose, a well-known symbol of the Evangelical Lutheran churches. In 1559, the monastery was secularised and used in parts as a school until 1820.
After the monastery briefly served as the seat of Erfurt's Union Parliament, the building became a sacred building again from 1852 and the church was consecrated once more in 1854. During the air raids on Erfurt in the Second World War, the entire monastery complex was severely damaged and subsequently had to be rebuilt.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the monastery was renovated and modernised. Since 2004, it has been considered a cultural monument of special national importance. Today, the Augustinian monastery is a conference and meeting centre as well as a memorial site. It is also possible to stay overnight within the historic monastery walls.
The tour of the monastery is possible both on your own and as part of a guided tour . Experience the special history of the buildings and follow in Luther's footsteps.
Tip: If you want to fortify yourself after visiting the monastery, I can recommend two restaurants nearby. Il Cortile offers upscale Italian cuisine in a beautiful ambience. The Abendbrot is a cosy bistro with Hungarian specialities, and its reasonably priced lunch offers are convincing.
10 Petersberg Citadel
The Petersberg Cit adel(website), a baroque city fortress dating from the 17th to 19th centuries, towers over Erfurt's old town. It is one of the largest and best preserved of its kind in Central Europe. The fortress was built between 1665 and 1707 in the neo-Italian style.
The citadel was intended to prevent revolts by the people of Erfurt against the loss of their autonomy and to serve as protection against Protestant forces. With its star-shaped ground plan, it was considered the most modern fortification of the time.
In the 1770s, the high costs of maintaining the fortress led to the idea of demolishing it. This meant destroying it so that it could no longer function as a fortress. Fortunately, this was not done. From 1802, the Petersberg citadel was occupied by Prussian troops, who had to capitulate to the Napoleonic soldiers in 1806. Until 1813, both Erfurt and the citadel were under French rule.
From 1814 it finally came into Prussian possession and was repaired and extended. Until the foundation of the German Empire in 1871, the citadel was used as a fortification and was also an important military site in the region during the two World Wars and in the post-war period.
Since 1963, the Petersberg Citadel has been open to the public and is now one of the most popular excursion destinations around Erfurt. The short climb is worth it: from the various vantage points you have a magnificent view over the roofs of the city.
In the interactive exhibition in the Kommandantenhaus , you can relive the exciting history of Petersberg and the fortress. The mysterious listening passages were intended to protect the citadel from intruders and can be discovered on guided tours.
In the former monastery church of St . Peter and Paul, once the spiritual centre of St. Peter's monastery, you can now marvel at the exhibition "Paradise Gardens - Garden Paradises".
The former monastery church of St. Peter and Paul in the Petersberg Citadel
Another popular "sight" is the swing at the fortress bakery. It gives you the feeling of floating above the city. You can also find swings with a view in my article about Lake Lugano.
More tips for your city trip to Erfurt
Egapark
Our last sight is in the south-west of the city and will delight not only amateur botanists: the Egapark. Covering an area of 36 hectares, Erfurt's garden and leisure park is one of the largest garden and leisure parks in Germany and has been a listed building since 1992.
Egapark grew out of a former city fortification on the Cyriaksberg. From 1885, the area was transformed into a public green space and is now one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Thuringia (among the most beautiful sights in Thuringia).
There is so much to discover on the grounds. The central flower bed is 370 metres long, covers an area of 6000m2 and consists of around 150,000 flowering plants. This makes it the largest ornamental flower bed in Europe.
A top attraction for young and old is the Danakil, the world's first desert and jungle house of its kind. In the Danakil, plants and animals from a wide variety of deserts and rainforest regions are on display. Here you can see meerkats, lizards, giant fish and exotic butterflies, for example.
Another highlight is the plant show houses, five interconnected warm houses that will captivate you with exotic flora and fauna.
The historical park area is characterised by the remaining buildings of the former city fortress. Here you will find the water axis with four fountain pools and the beautiful rose garden, which is divided into eight themed gardens and is home to around 500 species of roses.
One of the fortress's two turrets is now an observation tower from which you have a breathtaking view of Ega Park and the entire city.
Other attractions in the Ega Park include the observatory, the German Horticultural Museum and the Japanese garden. You definitely won't get bored here.
Young visitors also get their money's worth. They can let off steam in Thuringia's largest children's playground with an area of around 35,000m2. Next to it is a children's farm in the style of a Thuringian three-sided farm.
As you can see, Ega Park is a garden of superlatives that provides colourful and exotic moments in Erfurt.
Tip: The park is open all year round and also offers spectacular impressions in winter. During the Winter Illuminations , the Ega Park is transformed into a magical sea of light and colour and invites you on a wintry voyage of discovery.
Erfurt Christmas Markets
When travelling during Advent, a visit to Erfurt's beautiful Christmas market is a must. The main venue is the picturesque Domplatz square, where, in addition to over 200 wooden houses, a 20-metre-high fir tree and a twelve-metre-high, traditional Erzgebirge Christmas pyramid tower high into the sky. Tip: Try Erfurter Schittchen, one of the oldest Christmas stollen in Germany, with a cup of mulled wine or punch.
Memorial and Educational Centre Andreasstraße
Anyone interested in history should take a closer look at the Andreasstraße Memorial and Educational Centre (website). The building was used by the "Stasi" as a remand centre in GDR times and is a reminder of repression and resistance during the SED dictatorship in Thuringia from 1949 to 1989.
Thuringian Zoo Park Erfurt
A popular attraction for the whole family is the Thuringian Zoopark Erfurt. Covering an area of almost 63 hectares, it is the third largest zoo in Germany and home to 940 animals of 136 species.
Molsdorf Castle
A nice destination to round off your stay in Erfurt is nearby Molsdorf Castle, also known as the "Thuringian Versailles". A moated castle stood on its site from the 16th century, which was later converted into today's palace. It is considered one of the most beautiful baroque castles in Thuringia and is open to the public, as is its park, which is well worth seeing.
Molsdorf Castle is a popular destination in Thuringia.
Our hotel tips: Where to stay in Erfurt
A day trip to Erfurt is all you need for your city break. If you want to stay overnight in Erfurt, we recommend a flat at the "Mr.& Mrs. President"(check prices here*) directly on Domplatz.
This is the "Blue Room" at Mr. and Mrs. President(check prices here*).
The Hotel Krämerbrücke Erfurt is also highly recommended(check prices here*). Here you sleep in a medieval house that was probably built in the 15th century. Fantastically beautiful.
You can also find nice accommodation at Hotel Brühlerhöhe (check prices here*), a 3-star superior hotel.
Facts & figures about Erfurt
Erfurt has a population of around 214,000, making it the largest city in Thuringia.
Erfurt was first mentioned in a document in 742 in a letter from the missionary Boniface to Pope Zacharias II.
The medieval city centre is one of the best-preserved and largest in Germany.
Because of its many churches and monasteries, Erfurt was known as "Thuringian Rome" in the Middle Ages
The highest tower in Erfurt is 60 metres high and belongs to the Nikolaikirche church.
Native Erfurtians are also known as puffed beans - legend has it that in the Middle Ages, Erfurtians always had a small supply of puffed beans with them when they were out and about. Puffed beans are classic, thick beans.
In a former hotel in Erfurt, there was a famous meeting between Willy Brandt (former Federal Chancellor) and Willi Stoph (Chairman of the Council of Ministers). That's why the Hotel Erfurter Hof still has the Willy Brandt Room today.
Some of Erfurt's most famous personalities are Max Weber, Clueso and Yvonne Catterfeld.
I hope you like my sights in Erfurt and that they have aroused your interest in this really beautiful city in Thuringia. In any case, I liked the city very much and it was a little dream for me to come here.
