Salomonsborn on the northwestern edge of Erfurt

Salomonsborn: Organ and tent fair

The late Baroque Hesse organ in St. Dionysius Church dates from 1764. The instrument is currently stored outside the church. If you are interested in its condition, check on the restoration status before visiting. The tent fair in Salomonsborn also includes a fairground disco. A historic instrument and an event thus offer different ways to explore the place.

Erfurt: Jewish heritage and church art

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jewish-Medieval Heritage is located in the heart of Erfurt’s Old Town, within the broader destination of Erfurt. It comprises the Old Synagogue, the mikveh and the Stone House. These rare and exceptionally well-preserved examples of Jewish architecture in Central Europe give Erfurt’s cultural heritage a distinct architectural focus. The Old Synagogue presents evidence of Erfurt’s medieval Jewish culture. If you are planning a visit specifically for this purpose, check the current access conditions.

Erfurt Cathedral and St. Severus Church also offer distinct architectural details. The cathedral has a High Gothic choir, a Romanesque tower area and a Late Gothic west hall. Its central tower houses the Gloriosa, the world’s largest medieval freely suspended bell. St. Severus Church is a five-aisled Gothic hall church and, from the 12th century onward, was the collegiate church of a community of canons. Its artworks include the Severi sarcophagus from 1365, whose side panels depict the saint’s life, a stone Madonna from 1345, a 15 m-high baptismal font from 1467, and other works of art.

Erfurt’s Cathedral Hill and Petersberg

From Cathedral Square, a flight of 70 steps leads up to Cathedral Hill, home to Erfurt Cathedral and St. Severus Church. The panoramic route to Petersberg Citadel also starts at Cathedral Square and provides independent access to the citadel without additional aids. The citadel is one of the largest and the only largely preserved Baroque city fortresses in Central Europe. Its elevated location offers several viewpoints with sweeping views across the city; sunsets can be seen from Michael’s Bastion in the west. Erfurt’s attractions thus range from church architecture and building history to city views and fortifications.

Erfurt landmarks, green spaces and wildlife

The Krämerbrücke is one of Erfurt’s landmarks and Europe’s longest bridge continuously lined with houses that are also inhabited. A tasting is offered by Goldhelm right on the bridge. Check the current terms of the offer before planning a visit specifically for it.

Egapark Erfurt features the Danakil Desert and Jungle House, themed gardens, the Forest of Knowledge and the German Horticultural Museum. The park also has Europe’s largest ornamental flower bed, covering an area of 6,000 m². Another record-holder is Thuringia’s largest playground, at 35,000 m². Facilities and programmes may change; if you have a particular interest, it is worth checking the latest information.

The Thuringian Zoo Park offers another side of Erfurt: it covers around 63 hectares and is home to more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Some enclosures are walk-through, and the zoo participates in breeding programmes for endangered species. The number of animals may change over time. The zoo park thus combines animal watching with a commitment to conserving endangered species.

Getting to Erfurt

Erfurt Central Station is an important hub in Deutsche Bahn’s ICE network. It also connects long-distance and regional transport with the city’s public transit system. When planning your journey, it is best to check the latest timetables and connections, as schedules and services may change.

Discover more destinations: Ermstedt, Alach.

For the broader travel overview: Erfurt.