Germany: Erfurt – Around the City
Two iconic gothic churches stand overlook the large Domplatz lying seventy stair steps below with rows of pretty old houses. Further in town is the ornate Rathaus from the 19th century and the Roland statue from 1591 – both on the Fischmarkt, or Fish Market. There is also a famous university, where Martin Luther studied. Not to be missed is the famous Kramerbrucke or Merchants’ Bridge. This medieval bridge, dating back to 1325, is notable for being lined with half-timbered buildings that house shops, cafes, and artisan studios, making it one of the longest inhabited bridges in Europe. Finally, not to be missed is the Erfurt Synagogue – one of the oldest synagogues in Europe, with its origins dating back to the 11th century. The synagogue is notable for its well-preserved architecture, which includes Romanesque and Gothic elements. Today, the Old Synagogue houses a museum that features an extensive collection of artifacts, including the Erfurt Treasure, a remarkable hoard of medieval coins, jewelry, and other valuables hidden during the pogroms of 1349, when the Jewish population was completely limited in Erfurt.
