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Home , Aachen Cathedral, Bremen City Hall, Cologne Cathedral, Dresden Elbe Valley, Eisleben, Goslar

UNESCO World Heritage in

Where history comes to life

CHURCHES LANDSCAPES OLD INDUSTRY VARIOUS SITES & ABBEYS & PALACES & GARDENS

www.-welterbe.de www.germany-tourism.de/unesco www.germany-tourism.de

Epic splendour in elegant surroundings Welcome to the Germany of Palaces, Parks and Gardens © Wrba © Wrba © Wrba © Wrba

Welcome to Germany – where you can take a journey back through a thousand years of history, following in the footsteps of Kaisers, Kings and Noblemen. More than 700 palaces, parks, castles and gardens are just waiting for you to discover. Marvel at these pearls of German architecture that span every era and epoch you can think of – from Romanesque, Gothic and right up to and . Experience the fairytale thrill of history come to life in Germany. The travel destination.

© German National Tourist Board CONTENTS

CHURCHES CASTLES LANDSCAPES OLD TOWNS INDUSTRY VARIOUS SITES & ABBEYS & PALACES & GARDENS

UNESCO World Heritage sites in Lübeck Old ...... 21 Germany – where history comes to life . . . 4 – Monastery Complex . . . . . 22 ...... 6 Pit Site ...... 23 – ...... 7 ...... 24 – Island ...... 8 Upper Middle Valley ...... 25 – Town Hall and Statue on Bremen market square ...... 9 Pfaffenwinkel – The . . 26 Brühl – The palaces of Augustusburg Potsdam and Berlin – and Falkenlust ...... 10 Prussian Palaces and Parks ...... 27 und – – Old Town ...... 28 and its sites ...... 11 – Old Town ensemble Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Principality . . . . 12 and Stadtamhof ...... 29 – Valley ...... 13 Reichenau Monastic Island ...... 30 Eisenach – ...... 14 Cathedral ...... 31 Essen – The Zollverein Coal Mine and Historic Centres . . 32 Industrial Estate ...... 15 – Roman Monuments, Cathedral of – Mine of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady ...... 33 and Historic Town of Goslar ...... 16 Völklingen Ironworks ...... 34 – St. Mary‘s Cathedral Classical Weimar ...... 35 and St. ‘s Church ...... 17 , – Köln – Cathedral ...... 18 The Memorials ...... 36 The Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Würzburg – ‘s Residence ...... 37 boundary wall ...... 19 Suggested routes ...... 38 – Benedictine Abbey and Altenmünster Monastery ...... 20 Map of World Heritage sites ...... 42

Contact Imprint UNESCO-Welterbestätten Deutschland e.V. Published by: UNESCO Welterbestätten Deutschland e.V. Palais Salfeldt · Kornmarkt 6 · 06484 Quedlinburg Editors: Dr. Heinz Buri, Martina Ziesing, Manuela Lorenz Tel. +49(0) 39 46 - 81 12 - 53 /- 54 Layout: uniset Grafi k Design GmbH, Berlin Map: Claudia Döhring, kartopolis/uniset Fax +49(0) 39 46 - 81 12 - 56 Copyrights: Dr. H.-J. Aubert (title, p. 6,8-33, 35, 36, 39, 41), Archiv E-Mail: [email protected] des Bamberg Tourismus & Kongress Service (p. 7), Bayer. Verwal- Internet: www.unesco-welterbe.de tung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten u. Seen/Aubert (p. 37), Stif- tung Bauhaus Dessau/S. Hoell (p. 38), Stadtarchiv Dessau (p. 4), Fremdenverkehrsverein Eisleben/Mansfelder Land e.V. (p. 4), Stadt Hildesheim (p. 39), DZT/N. Krüger (p. 38), DZT/W. In cooperation with H. Müller (p. 4), Stiftung “Fürst-Pückler-Park ”/A. Ro- scher (p. 40), Potsdam Tourismus GmbH (p. 5), Quedlinburg Tour- ismus Marketing GmbH (title, p. 5), Der Rammelsberg/R. Rosen- eck (p. 5), Verkehrs verein Reichenau e.V. (p. 5), Regensburg Touris mus GmbH (p. 4), Ruhrgebiet Tourismus GmbH/J. Schu- macher (p. 4), Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuse- um, /Main (title, p. 5), Tourist Information Trier Stadt und Land e.V./C. Millen (p. 41), Tourist Information Weimar (p. 5), Völklinger Hütte/G. Kassner (title, p. 34), Wartburg Stiftung (p. 4) Printed by: Quedlinburg Druck GmbH 3 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN GERMANY

The Zollverein Coal Mine The Wieskirche Church Eisleben – Town of Luther

Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Principality Wartburg Castle Old Town Ensemble of Regensburg

Where history comes to life

The list of UNESCO world heritage sites con- est traces of world history at the Pit Fossil Site sists of outstanding testimonies to the history at Messel in Hessen. Combine a trip to Ber- of mankind and nature: silent but eloquent lin with an exploration of six thousand years witnesses to magnifi cent cultural achieve- of the history of mankind, or let yourself be ments and natural phenomena. won over by the clarity of the Bauhaus archi- tecture in Dessau and Weimar. Every one of The awards the Germany ’s World Heritage sites is well worth UNESCO World Heritage title to monuments, a visit. Let yourself be captivated by the very ensembles, industrial monuments and extraor- places where history was made . Set out on dinary natural landscapes and thereby places a journey on which you will trace the his- them under special protection by the inter- tory of mankind itself. UNESCO World Herit- national community. A journey to a UNESCO age is unique and so will be your journey to is a very special and unique the German World Heritage sites. This book- journey into the past. Experience the most im- let contains information and suggestions on pressive legacies of the past by visiting World how to experience history and how best to Heritage sites in Germany. Discover the earli- enjoy the delights of each individual region.

4 www.unesco-welterbe.de Quedlinburg Old Town Fossil Site Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam

Reichenau Monastic Island Mine of Rammelsberg Classical Weimar

The UNESCO receive fi nancial assistance. It is the Conven- tion’s aim to encourage cooperation between World Heritage Convention the peoples of the international community and to improve the conservation of cultural The “Convention concerning the Protection of and . Sustainable tourism too the World Cultural and Natural Heritage” was has a contribution to make to the conservation adopted by the UNESCO General Conference of world heritage sites. The German UNESCO in 1972. It places the conservation of cultural or World Heritage Sites Association wishes to in- natural monuments of “outstanding univer- crease awareness of Germany’s World Heritage sal value” into the care of humankind. By sign- sites and to promote low-impact and special- ing the Convention, each state party commits ised tourism to heritage sites on a sustainable itself to protect the sites situated on its terri- scale. This involves an opportunity to extend tory and to conserve them for future genera- the appeal and accessibility of World Herit- tions. In return, UNESCO member states receive age sites as well as to guarantee the conser- expert advice on how to preserve their sites; vation of the World Heritage on a sustainable states with insuffi cient fi nancial means also basis through income generated by tourism.

5 AACHEN

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978

When Emperor began work on and art history ensemble” in the UNESCO list his St. Mary‘s palatine in the town now of World Heritage Sites underlines the excep- known as Aachen in about 786, his dream was tional signifi cance of this magnifi cent building. to create a “New ”.

Thus he inaugurated one of the most outstand- ing buildings in all of . The cathedral’s Our Tip present form has evolved over the course of Enjoy a package deal to Aachen and more than a millennium. The nucleus of Aachen its cathedral under „Faszination Welt- kulturerbe: Der Aachener Dom“. cathedral is Charlemagne’s former palatine Info: www.aachen-pauschalen.de chapel. The single- chancel was conse- crated on the 600th anniversary of Charle- magne’s death, since when the Aachen “Glass House” has impressed generations of visitors Info & reservations with its bold architecture. For 600 years, from aachen tourist service e.v. 936 to 1531, Aachen cathedral was the corona- Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz tion church for 30 German kings, and even to- 52062 Aachen Tel.: +49(0)241/18 029-60 or -61 day the cathedral retains much of the glamour Fax: +49(0)241/18 029-30 of its historic past. The inclusion of this build- E-Mail: [email protected] ing in 1978 as the fi rst German “architectural Internet: www.aachen-tourist.de

6 www.unesco-welterbe.de BAMBERG Old Town

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993

Spread over seven hills and situated at the made their mark on Bamberg and have left heart of the Franconian cultural landscape is behind treasures of inestimable value, includ- Bamberg, a one-thousand-year-old centre of ing examples of German and European archi- episcopal and imperial power. tectural history from many different epochs in a beautiful setting of river and landscape. The town’s signifi cance can be traced back to its founder and patron Emperor Heinrich II (died 1024), who made Bamberg his power base. Our Tip Alongside such architectural gems as the ca- Learn about the history of Bamberg while be- thedral, old town hall, New Residence and St. ing entertained in the Theatre of Shadows, or plunge into the Fine Art of Bamberg Brews with Michael’s monastery, it is the River Regnitz with BierSchmecker®Touren. You will be able to enjoy its many watercourses and bridges that shapes highlights of classical music in the Bamberger the appearance of the town and emphasizes Symphoniker concerts. the romantic atmosphere that the visitor en- counters at every turn. Bamberg has essentially developed into a baroque town and yet has still Info & reservations managed to preserve its medieval structures. BAMBERG Tourismus & Kongress Service Virtually unscathed by wars, Bamberg’s old Geyerswörthstraße 3 town is now the largest ensemble of buildings 96047 Bamberg Tel.: +49(0)951/29 76-200 in Germany to have been preserved in its origi- Fax: +49(0)951/29 76-222 nal state. As a living cultural centre it appeals to E-Mail: [email protected] the visitor’s . 1.000 years of history have Internet: www.bamberg.info

7 BERLIN

Museum Island UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999

The world famous Museumsinsel (Museum Is- rebuilding and restoration. The magnifi cent re- land) lies between the Spree and Kupfergraben, opening of the Old National Gallery (2001) and and is a unique collection of buildings housing the Museum (2006) were milestones in archaeological fi nds and 19th century art. the refurbishment of the entire .

Concentrated in an area of less than one square kilometre, over a period of 100 years – from 1830 Our Tip to 1930 – the island in the middle of the River Berlin – the cultural metropolis – offers an unrivalled programme with 1.500 events daily and more than 170 Spree evolved into a temple to the arts, present- : from the temples of the arts to fi rst class ing six thousand years of cultural history in fi ve entertainment, from the avantgarde to fringe theatre. museums. It all started with the completion of From May to September the Museumsinsel Festival the Old Museum designed by Schinkel in 1830. offers an outstanding programme of fi lm, concerts, and theatre on the stage in front of the spectacularly The fi rst general building plan for Museumsin- illuminated Old National Gallery. sel was drawn up in 1841 by Friedrich August BERLIN infostores in main railway station, Branden- Stüler, a student of Schinkel’s, and his plans were burger Tor, Neues Kranzler Eck (Kurfürstendamm), used to build the New Museum in 1859 and the ALEXA Shopping Center (Alexanderplatz) and in Berlin Old National Gallery in 1876. In 1904 the Kaiser Pavillon at Reichstag. Friedrich Museum (now known as the Bodemu- Opening times and addresses at www.visitBerlin.de seum) was inaugurated, and when the Perga- mon Museum opened in 1930 the building work on Museumsinsel was complete. During the Info & reservations Second World War up to 70 % of the museums Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH Am Karlsbad 11 were destroyed. The devastating effects of the 10785 Berlin war and the division of the city are currently be- Tel.: +49(0)30/25 00 25 ing redressed by an extensive programme of Internet: www.visitBerlin.de

8 www.unesco-welterbe.de BREMEN Town Hall and Roland Statue on Bremen market square UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004

The explanatory statement for the inscription Our Tip of the Bremen town hall emphasised the „out- Each December sees the city centre around the standing architecture of the late renaissance Rathaus and Roland statue transformed into an in , the so-called Weser idyllic Christmas Market with over 170 brightly laidout stalls and booths. Renaissance“. In the month of September splendid performances are the trademark of the Bremen Music Festival. The 600-year-old-building stands nearly un- With the Market Square changed into a vibrant changed. The two magnifi cent Gothic halls, one piazza under a canopy of brilliant lights and with above the other, stand for Bremen’s political sig- culinary delights, a grand nocturnal cycle opens with nifi cance as a free Hanseatic town to this day. concerts at various venues in the historic city centre. The Roland Statue is seen by the UNESCO ex- perts as “one of the oldest and most representa- Info & reservations tive statues which were ever put up as a symbol Bremer Touristik-Zentrale of freedom and of the law of the market“. – Findorffstraße 105 „Freedom I reveal to you“ is carved into the shield 28215 Bremen of the stone statue which was erected in 1404. Service: +49(0)1805/10 10 30 (0,14 Euro/min.) or +49(0)421/30 80 010 The citizens of Bremen are convinced that the E-Mail: [email protected] town will remain free as long as their Roland will Internet: www.bremen-tourismus.de stand. Bremen town hall and the Roland Statue Tourist Information in Bremen: bear witness to civil autonomy and sovereignty Obernstraße/Liebfrauenkirchhof and as they had developed in the Holy . at main railway station

9 BRÜHL

Th e palaces of Augustusburg and Falkenlust

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984

In 1984, UNESCO included the palaces of Our Tip Augustusburg and Falkenlust with their gardens A variety of events are held in Augustus- in its list of world cultural heritage as an out- burg and Falkenlust Palaces. Special guided standing example of German art. tours, organized by the palace administra- tion, give a lively impression of everyday Today they are open to the public. Augustus- court life in the 18th century. Between May and September the international classical burg palace, the favourite residence of Clemens music festival “Brühler Schlosskonzerte” August von Wittelsbach (1700 – 1761), archbish- takes place as a summer highlight in the op and elector of Cologne, was created in 1725 famous ceremonial staircase of Augustus- by the Westphalian architect Johann Conrad burg palace. Schlaun and was transformed into a magnifi - cent palace under the direction of the Bavar- ian court master builder François de Cuvilliés Info & reservations between 1728 and 1768. The famous palace Service: +49(0)2232/44 000 staircase was designed by . Brühl Info Until 1996, it was used for offi cial state occa- Uhlstraße 1 sions. Dominique Girard planned the Baroque 50321 Brühl gardens in the French style. Between 1729 and Tel.: +49(0)2232-79 345 Fax: +49(0)2232-79 346 1737, one of the most intimate and exquisite E-Mail: [email protected] examples of German rococo, Falkenlust palace, Internet: www.schlossbruehl.de, was created according to the plans of Cuvilliés. www.bruehl.de

10 www.unesco-welterbe.de DESSAU AND WEIMAR Bauhaus and its sites in Dessau and Weimar UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996

It was for a good reason that Walter Gropius Our Tip founded his National Bauhaus in Weimar in In 2009 the 90th Bauhaus anniversary will be com- 1919. Henry van de Velde, designer, architect, memorated with a programme of various exhibi- and Bauhaus pioneer par excellence laid the tions and events. See under: www.weimar.de. grounds for its development. Every year at the beginning of , Dessau fea- tures the Kurt Weill Fest. There will be 40 events taking place all over town, with international stars His buildings – the former academy of art of music, song and theatre. and the arts and crafts school became At the beginning of September, there will be an the home of the Bauhaus and are listed by evening procession to the Bauhaus, in the tradition UNESCO now. The Horn model house, built of the 1920’s Bauhaus festivals, where there will be by Georg Muche for the great Bauhaus an all-night colour festival. Attractions and guests feature a different colour every year. exhibition in 1923, witnesses the artists’ revolutionary ideas, and is also part of the Weimar world heritage site. In 1925, the Info & reservations Bauhaus School moved to Dessau. Only one Tourist Information Weimar year later the Bauhaus Building, designed Markt 10 by Walter Gropius, was offi cially opened. 99423 Weimar Tel.: +49(0)3643/74 50 To this day it is regarded as a pioneering Fax: +49(0)3643/74 54 20 example of modern architecture in the early E-Mail: [email protected] 20th century. At the same time, the Master Internet: www.weimar.de Houses were built for the Gropius family and Tourist Information Dessau-Roßlau those of the artists Moholy-Nagy, Feininger, Zerbster Straße 4 Muche, Schlemmer, Kandinsky and Klee. Both 06844 Dessau-Roßlau Tel.: +49(0)340/20 41 442 the Bauhaus Building, home to the Dessau Fax: +49(0)340/22 03 003 Bauhaus foundation, and the Master Houses E-Mail: [email protected] are open to visitors. Internet: www.dessau-rosslau-tourismus.de

11 DESSAU-WÖRLITZ Garden Principality of Dessau-Wörlitz

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000

The Garden Principality was the brainchild of Our Tip Prince Leopold III Friedrich Franz von Anhalt- In the beginning of August, on Garden Principal- Dessau (1740 – 1817), who sought, with his ity Day, various events all over the place invite many reforms, to create a harmonious union you to stroll and inspect the entire garden prici- between man and nature. pality. In the Luisium, Mosigkau, Georgium, and Oranienbaum parks classy as well as popular entertainment will be presented. He set the Garden Principality in a landscape In Wörlitz Park, there are special traditional lake defi ned by rivers, fl ood plains, and extensive concerts from May to August. . meadows. Palaces, gardens and tree-lined al- Telefon +49 (0) 3 40/2041442 leys, park buildings, follies and other small ar- chitectural gems blend so naturally into this environment that they give the whole land- scape the appearance of one endless park. The classicistic Luisium Palace with its Eng- lish garden, Mosigkau rococo palace and park, Info & reservations Großkühnau country park, and the Georgium Touristinformation Dessau-Roßlau which houses the Anhalt Portrait Gallery, sur- Zerbster Straße 4, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau round the town of Dessau. They from a seam- Tel.: +49(0)340/20 41 442 less whole with the baroque town, palace and Fax: +49(0)340/22 03 003 E-Mail: [email protected] park of Oranienbaum and the most important Internet: www.dessau-rosslau-tourismus.de, part of the Garden Principality, Wörlitz Park. www.gartenreich.com

12 www.unesco-welterbe.de DRESDEN

Elbe Valley

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004

The with its harmonious Our Tip combination of nature and urban architecture Jazz and Dixieland cruises on the Elbe upriver was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage towards Palace aboard a historical List in 2004 under the category of developing paddle-steamer. First-class Dixieland bands provide a fi tting atmosphere, aided by their cultural landscapes. singing and swinging fans and plenty of Saxon beer in the galley. Dresden is characterised by the coherence of its historic city centre, garden suburbs and unique natural landscape. Augustus the Strong pur- Info & reservations sued the idea of turning the Elbe into a “Canale Grande” at the heart of the city and the country- Dresden-Werbung und Tourismus GmbH Ostra-Allee 11 side. This tradition of baroque court culture has 01067 Dresden been maintained, elaborated upon and handed Tel.: +49(0)351/49 19 21 00 down through the generations in an area stretch- Fax: +49(0)351/49 19 21 16 ing from Pillnitz Palace in the east to Uebigau E-Mail: [email protected] Internet: www.dresden.de/dresden-days, Palace in the west. Our Lady’s church (Frauen- www.welterbezentrum-dresden.de kirche), , Semper Opera House are the In town: Tourist Information Schinkelwache/ most striking landmarks of this city on the Elbe Theaterplatz and Tourist Information Prager Straße which holds so much more in store for visitors. (3 mins. from main railway station)

13 EISENACH Wartburg Castle

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999

Wartburg Castle is one of the best-preserved from the 11th to the 19th century. The castle and castles of the German . the delightful countryside in which it is set are charming places to visit at any time of year. Founded in 1067, it was extended over several centuries to form a sprawling castle complex Our Tip with examples of Romanesque, Gothic, and “Summer night” music events and plays at the royal 19th century buildings. On entering the Roman- theatre between May and October provide the perfect esque palace, 900 years of history are spread opportunity to soak up the romantic atmosphere of out before your eyes: the courtly art of the Mid- the castle. On Advent Weekends, a traditional Christ- dle Ages, the life and works of St. Elisabeth, mas Market charms a multitude of visitors. ’s translation of the New Testa- ment, and the castle’s importance as a symbol Info & reservations of German integration and unity. Today, Wart- Wartburg-Stiftung burg Castle draws visitors from far and wide Auf der Wartburg with its art treasures, medieval tapestries, the 99817 Eisenach “Dürerschrank” (a cabinet with intricate relief Tel.: +49(0)3691-25 00 Fax: +49(0)3691-20 33 42 carvings designed by Albrecht Dürer), paint- E-Mail: [email protected] ings by , a unique cut- Internet: www.eisenach.de lery collection, and European arts and crafts www.wartburg.de

14 www.unesco-welterbe.de ESSEN Th e Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Estate

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001

The Zollverein mine in Essen was the world’s Our Tip most modern coal- and biggest coking June: ExtraSchicht – The Long Night of plant. Industrial Culture – industrial estates all over the valley area schedule a whole night’s The two Bauhaus-inspired architects, Fritz worth of cultural programmes and entertain- ment. Schupp and Martin Kremmer, who designed eve- Last weekend in September: ry last detail of the twin-axis industrial complex “Mine Festival“ – Theatre, folklore, live-acts, to harmonise in accordance with the principles of children’s programme, and fi reworks. symmetry and geometry, created a unique mod- All year round: red dot design museum el complex in Zollverein Shaft XII and the cokery – contemporary design exhibition. in a new functional style. Since then, the site has been developed into an industrial monument of international importance with a lively arts cen- tre. At the “most attractive coal mine in the Ruhr” visitors can trace the development of modern art Info & reservations of the 1920s and 1930s alongside that of heavy Besucherzentrum Zollverein, industry. The surface plant, which has been pre- Schacht XII, 14 served in its original condition, houses the Zol- Gelsenkirchener Str. 181 lverein Museum. Here, visitors can follow the 45309 Essen “Black Trail” accompanied by expert tour Tel.: +49(0)201/83 03 60 Fax: +49(0)201/83 03 620 guides. On the tour, illustrative models, fi lms and E-Mail: [email protected] museum installations show how the coal was Internet: www.zollverein.de, processed – to a soundtrack of authentic noises. www.essen.de/Portalaktuell.asp

15 GOSLAR Mine of Rammelsberg and Historic Town of Goslar

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992

Deep in the Rammelsberg mountain once laid tant cultural monuments such as the town the world’s largest deposit of , and hall with its Hall of Homage (Huldigungssaal), . Ore was being mined here as long as municipal churches, hospitals and stately 3.000 years ago. merchants’houses, which lent the Old Town the magnifi cent appearance it still enjoys today. Today, an exceptional collection of indus- trial monuments and a unique cultural land- Our Tip scape have been preserved. Since the mine Adventure tour in the breathtaking underground was closed in 1988, the site has become home world of the Rathstiefste Gallery of 1150: darkness, to one of Germany’s biggest and most origi- rich colours, traces of human work. Incl. under- nal museums. Far beneath the ground, visitors ground dinner. Must be booked in advance. are offered fascinating insights into 850 years of industrial mining history. Goslar Old Town, Info & reservations strongly infl uenced by mining, also belongs WELTKULTURERBE RAMMELSBERG to the world heritage site. The imperial palace Museum & Besucherbergwerk built under the Ottonians was extended by the Bergtal 19 Salian emperors to form their biggest palace 38640 Goslar complex. The mine and town reached a peak Tel.: +49(0)5321/750-0 Fax: +49(0)5321/750-130 of their prosperity around 1200, and then rose E-Mail: [email protected] again to enjoy a second heyday around 1500. Internet: www.rammelsberg.de This latter period saw the building of impor- www.goslar.de/tourismus.htm

16 www.unesco-welterbe.de HILDESHEIM

St. Mary‘s Cathedral and St. Michael‘s Church UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985

St. Michael’s, one of the most beautiful Early Our Tip Romanesque churches in Germany, and the Guided tours on themes such as “In the - cathedral are outstanding monuments of Ro- steps of Bishop Bernward” really help to bring manesque architecture. the architectural monuments to life. Organ concerts in the churches, with their incompa- rable acoustics, are a special experience. They stand as a testimony to the creative energy Further Highlights: of Bishop Bernward, and house a number of un- Jazz time (Whitsun), usual historic exhibits: The monumental bronze St. Magdalenen garden party (June), casts in the cathedral, the Column of Christ and Marienrode Convent concert (Juli), the Bernward door depict scenes from the New International Freden Music Days (August), and Old Testament, and from the works of Je- Christmas market (December). sus. The wings of the door, almost fi ve metres tall and one metre wide each, were cast in a single piece – a groundbreaking achievement at that time, and a technical innovation. The most gorgeous show-piece inside St. Michael’s Info & reservations church is the painted wooden ceiling depicting tourist information Hildesheim Christ’s family tree. This fl at ceiling – the only Rathausstraße 18-20 one of its kind in the country-gives a fascinating 31134 Hildesheim insight into Romanesque monumental paint- Tel.: +49(0)5121/17 98-0 Fax: +49(0)5121/17 98-88 ing. Unfortunately, because of restoration work, E-Mail: [email protected] until 2010 viewing of the St. Michael’s World Internet: www.welterbe-hildesheim.de, Heritage Site might be restricted at times. www.hildesheim.de

17 KÖLN

Cologne Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996

Cologne Cathedral (on which work began in shrine housing the of the Three Kings 1248) is one of the worlds’s greatest churches, (1180 – 1225), an exceptional example of the re- exemplifying the High Gothic cathedral style in gional goldsmiths’art and the of the city the purest and most perfect way. patrons (around 1450) by Stephan Lochner, the masterpiece of the Cologne school of artists. The size of Cologne cathedral is presaged by the mighty pair of which have dominated Our Tip the city and its surroundings like no other archi- Once a month from September to June, performances tectural work ever since they were completed by well-know guest choirs or the ‘s own choirs in 1880. When work was fi nally completed in are staged in front of the Sarcophagus of the Epiphany, in the 19th century, the cathedral was the big- the intimate setting between the stalls. gest building in the world. The design of the Every Tuesday during summer organ concerts west façade defi ed all convention: the biggest in the cathedral. church façade in the world, it had a surface area of 7.000 square metres and was fl anked Info & reservations by two mighty spires each 157 metres high. The KölnTourismus GmbH cathedral contains a wealth of important art Unter Fettenhennen 19 works: the colourful windows 50667 Köln Tel.: +49(0)221/22 13 04 00 that fl ood the cathedral with their mysterious Fax: +49(0)221/22 13 04 10 light, the Gero cross (around 970 A. D.), the old- E-Mail: [email protected] est large sculpture in the , the Internet: www.koelntourismus.de

18 www.unesco-welterbe.de LIMES Th e Upper Germanic-Rhaetian boundary wall Limes – of the Roman Empire

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005

The Upper Germanic-Rhaetian boundary wall, Our Tip Limes, is one of the most outstanding archaeolo- Roman festivals, Roman guided gical monuments in Central Europe as evidence tours and hikes, special exhibitions, of the Roman era and its culture about 2000 happenings and family days. years ago. Numerous events scheduled in the towns and villages along the Limes The German “Limes” Road runs close to the Upper information under Germanic-Rhaetian “Limes” from the Rhine to the www.limesstrasse.de/Termine. area of Regensburg on the . Along the 550 km road there are well preserved Roman relics, restorations, excavations and reconstructions. In some places the Limes itself is still identifi able, crossing straight through forests and fi elds. To- day the German Limes trail combines all impor- Info tant stations on a diversifi ed tourist route. More Verein Deutsche Limes-Straße than 80 cities, communities and administrative Marktplatz 2 districts along the Limes have syndicated in order 73430 Tel.: +49(0)7361/52 23 61 to manage this heritage. With its beautiful land- Fax: +49(0)7361/52 19 07 scape and enlightening insight into history, the E-Mail: [email protected] Roman region offers excellent recreation. Internet: www.limesstrasse.de

19 LORSCH Benedictine Abbey and Altenmünster Monastery of Lorsch

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991

The famous Carolingian Lorsch gate house, centres of learning. One of the most well-known also known as Königshalle, is one of the most Lorsch manuscripts is the so-called Lorscher important pre-Romanesque architectural relics Arzneibuch (Lorsch pharmacopoeia), which is in Germany. regarded as seminal to scientifi c medicine.

Although neither the construction date nor the original function of the Carolingian build- Our Tip ing are known, the splendour of the decoration Get in touch with the Middle Ages: on its facade and upper fl oor give an indica- In Lorsch there are special interactive events for schools and families scheduled all year round. tion of the quality of the lost buildings of one of the grandest and most eminent monaster- ies in Central Europe: . Founded Info & reservations around 764, it survived until the Touristinfo Nibelungenland (1556) before being completely destroyed in Altes Rathaus, Marktplatz 1 the Thirty Years War. Its estates extended from 64653 Lorsch Tel.: +49(0)6251/17 52 60 what is now the Dutch coast right Fax: +49(0)6251/17 52 626 down to . Lorsch housed a very im- E-Mail: [email protected] portant library and was one of the medieval Internet: www.lorsch.de, www.kloster-lorsch.de

20 www.unesco-welterbe.de LÜBECK Hanseatic City of Lübeck

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987

Lübeck, Queen of the , was cultural heritage site. The heritage status found in 1143 as the fi rst “occidental city on even extends to the ground beneath the the Baltic coast”. old Town, where archaeological excavations have unearthed almost three million fi nds. The medieval atmosphere and historically im- portant cultural sights shape the face of the city and testify to Lübeck’s great past as a Free Imperial and Hanseatic City. The picturesque Our Tip oval Old Town, surrounded by water, contains In December, when the air is permeated some of Germany’s most outstanding Gothic by the scent of roast almonds, mulled wine, and gingerbread, the Christmas buildings. The seven church spires have arts and crafts market in Heiligen-Geist- dominated the city skyline ever since the Mid- Hospital is well worth a visit. dle Ages. The Holsten Gate, the former west- ern gate in the city walls, is known throughout the world and is now the symbol of the city. The Buddenbrookhaus, home of the grandpar- Info & reservations ents of writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann, is Welcome Center der Lübeck und one of many stately merchant houses in the Travemünde Marketing GmbH city. Two more citizens who were awarded Holstentorplatz 1 the Nobel Prize are remembered in Guenter 23552 Lübeck Tel.: +49(0)451/88 99 700 Grass Haus and in Haus. Lübeck Fax: +49(0)451/40 91-992 was the fi rst Old Town in the Federal Repub- E-Mail: [email protected] lic of Germany to be offi cially designated a Internet: www.luebeck-tourismus.de

21 MAULBRONN

Maulbronn Monastery Complex

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993

The former Cistercian Abbey is not just the the abbey was converted into a Protestant mon- most completely preserved monastery com- astery school whose alumni include Johannes plex north of the , but is also a perfect Kepler, Hermann and Friedrich Hölderlin. example of medieval architecture. Our Tip Construction work began in 1147 and the The Monastery Festival and the “Maulbronner Zehnt- church, a Romanesque with three tage”, a medieval market, are celebrated in June in al- , was consecrated to Mary, Mother of ternate years. The monastery courtyard is fi lled with God, in 1178. The men’s chancel features or- colourful market activity, inviting visitors to take a nately decorated oak stalls. At the beginning journey back in time to the Middle Ages. of the 13th century, a triple-nave entrance hall (the Paradies) was added to the church, built in Info & reservations a transitional style between Romanesque and Stadtverwaltung Maulbronn Gothic, which opens with wide double Klosterhof 31 onto the courtyard. The monastery courtyard 75433 Maulbronn Tel.: +49(0)7043/103-0 is still ringed by the fortifi ed wall and the tow- Fax: +49(0)7043/103-45 ers, commercial buildings and living quarters E-Mail: [email protected] built within, on and above the walls. In 1556, Internet: www.maulbronn.de

22 www.unesco-welterbe.de MESSEL

Messel Pit Fossil Site UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995

The Messel Pit Fossil Site, a UNESCO Nature This window onto the past is situated approx. World Heritage site since 1995, holds some of 10 km east of , just south of Mes- the richest deposits of mammalian in sel in the forests of the Messel hills and can be the world. reached from Frankfurt in around 30 minutes by car or by train via Darmstadt and Messel. To date, geoscientists have unearthed approxi- mately 50.000 individual fi nds from the former Our Tip volcanic crater lake (or “”) that was formed The Messel pit Infostation opens daily from 11.00 am around 47 million years ago and silted up since. – 4.00 pm. Admittance to the fossil site is only by The fi nds include mammal predecessors (includ- guided tour. One-hour guided pit walks in season Sat- ing a relative of the horse), fi sh, insects, reptiles, urdays, Sundays, and holidays at 12.00 o’clock, 1.30 pm, amphibians and plants. The unique feature of 3.00 pm, 4.30 pm. Solid shoes are obligatory. this site is the preservation of fully articulated Further tours by appointment. skeletons, skin, hair, unborn foetuses and stom- achs containing the animals’last meal. There are museums in Darmstadt, Frankfurt and Messel Info where fascinating exhibits from the Messel pit Welterbe Grube Messel gGmbH are on display and preserved for future genera- Roßdörfer Str. 108 tions. A new gallery called “Zeit und Messsel- 64409 Messel Tel.: +49(0)6159/71 75 35 Welten”, scheduled to open in 2009, will give Fax: +49(0)6159/71 75 36 visitors a fascinating insight into the research E-Mail: [email protected] activities and other areas of interest at Messel. Internet: www.grube-messel.de

23 MUSKAU PARK Muskau Park

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004

Muskau Park is a world-wide exceptional Our Tip example of a landscape park. The park was laid Visit the German as well as the Polish parts out between 1815 and 1845 to plans drawn up of the park, using the twin bridges in Muskau by Hermann Fürst von Pückler-Muskau, a land- park for the border crossing. Horse and carriage scape garden artist, prince and travel writer. rides in the park. Highlights: Subsequent owners continued to develop and Annual German-Polish park festival (end of May) substantially extend the park in accordance “Open Air & Picknick” (beginning of July) with von Pückler’s original plans. The grounds New permanent exhibition “Fuerst Pueckler und of the park are situated either side of the River der Muskauer Park” in the New Palace from late Neisse, straddling the German-Polish border. summer 2008. The park covers an area of approximately 830 hectares. Its defi ning features include its spa- cious layout, broad vistas, varying intensity of Info landscape design and artifi cail watercourses. Stiftung „Fürst-Pückler-Park Bad Muskau“ On a stroll through the park, visitors experi- Besucherinformation Muskauer Park ence a constantly changing, three-dimensional – Schloßvorwerk – scene that has been shaped out of the natural Bauhof 13 landscape. Intensive combined efforts by con- 02953 Bad Muskau Tel.: +49(0)35771/51 525 servationists in Germany and in recent Fax: +49(0)35771/51 526 years have resulted in a holistic, cross-border ap- E-Mail: [email protected] proach to the continuing restoration of the park. Internet: www.muskauer-park.de

24 www.unesco-welterbe.de UPPER VALLEY

Upper Middle Rhine Valley

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002

In 2002 UNESCO included in its World Heritage Our Tip List the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, one of the “Middle-Rhine-Musical-Moments” from most beautiful parts of Germany which has mid July until the end of August. been cultivated since ancient times. Concerts at castles in the Central Rhine Valley from Koblenz to Bingen and Rüdesheim. A sequence of castles and palaces extends along the romantic river valley, from the old Roman town of Koblenz, passing the legendary Loreley Info & reservations to Bingen and Rüdesheim, along the steep bluffs Rhein-Touristik Tal der Loreley where the famous Rhine wines are grown. The Loreley Besucherzentrum Rhine, the German “river of destiny”, has con- 56346 St. Goarshausen veyed peoples from all parts of the known Tel.: +49(0)6771/59 90 93 Fax: +49(0)6771/59 90 94 world as well as their goods, their traditions, E-Mail: [email protected] and their artistic infl uences, as testifi ed prima- Internet: www.tal-der-loreley.de rily by the sacred buildings all along the river. www.welterbe-mittelrheintal.de

25 PFAFFENWINKEL

Th e Wieskirche church at Pfaff enwinkel

UNESCO World Heritage since 1983

The “pilgrims’ church of the Scourged Saviour” but never pompous decoration contributes to (Wieskirche) at the foot of the Alps is widely the overall look. The Wieskirche brings togeth- regarded as one of the most perfect examples er architecture, imagery and stucco to form a of Bavarian rococo. whole that is greater than the sum of its parts; a work of art that provides a splendid setting for It is one of the few 18th century churches pre- the miraculous fi gure of the Scourged Saviour. served in its original style, and it is described in the art historic literature as a “miracle of space”. Dominikus Zimmermann enlisted the help of a Our Tip number of other leading artists of the time to The height of musical pleasure – from May create the undisputed highlight of this very Ba- to September classical concerts are held in the Wieskirche with music ranging from the varian style of rococo architecture in 1745 – 1754. Baroque to the Late Romantic. After tears were fi rst seen on the fi gure of the “Scourged Saviour” on 14 June 1738, the Wi- eskirche quickly became the most popular 18th Info & reservations century place of pilgrimage. The church can be Tourismusverband Pfaffenwinkel seen from far away, perched atop a small rise in Bauerngasse 5 the middle of a meadow (Wiese in German). Its 86956 Schongau Tel.: +49(0)8861/77 73 architecture and interior are shaped by the idea Fax: +49(0)8861/20 06 78 of the pilgrimage, redolent with suffering, pen- E-Mail: [email protected] ance and salvation. Every detail of the exquisite, Internet: www.pfaffen-winkel.de

26 www.unesco-welterbe.de POTSDAM AND BERLIN Prussian Palaces and Parks

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990

The cultural landscape of Potsdam and Berlin Our Tip is the most extensive among all of Germany’s April: Tulip festival in the Dutch Quarter world heritage sites. June: Potsdam Sanssouci music festival and Bohemian weavers’ festival in Babelsberg The parks, created over hundreds of years in August: Potsdam palace night with preceding Potsdam and Berlin under ’s Electors, concert Kaiser and Kings, form an ensemble which is September: Potters’ market in the Dutch Quarter unique. Great architects, famous artists and November and December: “Blue lights” Potsdam landscape designers have all left their mark Christmas market in the historic old town, Ba- on this work of art, whose elaborate gardens belsberg Bohemian Christmas market, Bornstedt Crown Estate Christmas market and numerous buildings are linked together in more events under www.events-in-Potsdam.de. myriad ways, both geographically and aestheti- cally. The Berlin and Potsdam world heritage site consists of Sanssouci Park, the New Garden, Babelsberg Park and Glienicke Park surround- Info & reservations ing their respective palaces. Also included are Tourist-Information des Potsdam Tourismus Service the village of Klein-Glienicke, Glienicke Hunting Brandenburger Straße 3 Lodge, Peacock Island and Sacrow Palace and 14467 Potsdam Park with the Curch of the Redeemer, as well as Tel.: +49(0)331/27 558-0 Fax: +49(0)331/27 558-29 numerous other areas of Potsdam, for instance, E-Mail: [email protected] the Pfi ngstberg, Lindstedt Palace, the Russian Internet: www.potsdamtourismus.de Alexandrowka colony and the Bornstedt estate. www.potsdam-tourism.com

27 QUEDLINBURG

Old Town with the Castle Hill, the Münzenberg and St.Wiperti‘s Church

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994

This former imperial on the Romanesque oped into a major centre of European politics, Route is one of the most important historical education and culture. The Lyonel Feininger sites in Germany. Gallery, which has Europe’s largest collection of works by the artist, is well worth a visit. The main attraction is the town itself: with its original ground plan and more than 1.300 half- Our Tip timbered buildings dating from eight centuries The traditional “Quedlinburger Musiksommer”, held it is an exceptional example of a well-preserved for more than 25 years, continues between June and medieval town. The Timber-frame Museum September: a feast of classical music performed by (Fachwerkmuseum) is housed in what is one top-class artists in the collegiate church. of Germany’s oldest half – timbered build- ings, (around 1340). The collegiate church of Info & reservations St. Servatius – with the tombs of the fi rst Ger- Quedlinburg Tourismus Marketing GmbH man King, Heinrich I, and Mathilde, his queen, Markt 2 and also a famous church treasury – is a Ro- 06484 Quedlinburg manesque masterpiece. In a 10th-century im- Tel.: +49(0)3946/90 56 24 Fax: +49(0)3946/90 56 29 perial charter, Quedlinburg is referred to as the E-Mail: [email protected] “metropolis of the Empire”. Under Heinrich I Internet: www.quedlinburg.de and his Ottonian successors, the town devel- www.adventsstadt.de

28 www.unesco-welterbe.de REGENSBURG Old Town ensemble and Stadtamhof

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2006

Regensburg, the 2000 year old Roman city, is lo- and the street cafés one senses southern ambi- cated at the northernmost point of the Danube. ence and realises why this Danube metropolis is also known as “Italy’s northernmost city”. Since it was not destroyed during World War II, it bears many treasures of Roman and . No other city in Central Europe Our Tip refl ects important political, economic and re- Sundays & holidays 10.00 am: Mass in St. Peter’s cathe- ligious developments of the high Middle Ages dral with the Regesburger Domspatzen (boys’ choir) in its remaining historical buildings in such Whitsun: Days of old music a lively way. The most outstanding architec- June/July: Regensburger Spectaculum, a medieval tural monuments of the City such as the ca- market on Jahn Island thedral, the town hall, the courtyards and pri- July: Thurn und Taxis castle festival, concerts and theatre in the castle courtyard vate of the medieval burghers houses, Regensburger Domspatzen Christmas the princely palace of Thurn & Taxis, the Ro- December: concert, in the university main lecture room manesque sacral buildings or the mendicant orders’ Gothic churches are all accessible on foot, walking along the charming alleys in the Info & reservations pedestrian zone of the Old Town. The several Tourist-Information centuries old stone bridge is to be counted Altes Rathaus / Rathausplatz 4 among the masterpieces of European bridge 93047 Regensburg Tel.: +49(0)941/507-44 10 architecture and offers a picturesque setting Fax: +49(0)941/507-44 18 for a city walk. Glancing at the nearly twenty E-Mail: [email protected] well-preserved towers, the colourful houses Internet: www.regensburg.de/tourismus

29 REICHENAU Reichenau Monastic Island

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000

The cultural landscape of on The monastery library, the Reichenau School bears outstanding witness to of Painting (manuscript illumination and wall the religious and cultural role of a great medie- painting) and the art of goldsmiths’ work at val Benedictine monastery. Reichenau became extremely well known.

The island’s three romanesque churches are Our Tip fi ne examples of monastic architecture be- Reminders of Reichenau’s great past are three tween the 9th and 11th centuries. Their wall traditional feast days when are processions across paintings reveal that, during the 10th and 11th the island: 25 April: St. Mark’s Festival centuries, Reichenau was a cultural centre of the Monday after Trinity Sunday: major signifi cance in the history of European Blood of Christ Festival art. A Benedictine monastery was founded on 15 August: Assumption Day the island in 724 by the itinerant bishop Pirmin. Under direct imperial control, it fl ourished Info & reservations from the 8th to the , and devel- Tourist-Information Reichenau oped into one of the great intellectual centres Pirminstr. 145 of the western world. The famous monastery 78479 Reichenau Tel.: +49(0)7534/92 07-0 school, where classes were given by highly quali- Fax: +49(0)7534/92 07-77 fi ed teachers, produced brilliant theologians, E-Mail: [email protected] politicians, scientists, writers and musicians. Internet: www.reichenau.de

30 www.unesco-welterbe.de SPEYER

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981

Speyer’s magnifi cent Romanesque imperial tion of its east and west ends and the symmetri- cathedral is the town’s famous landmark, visible cal arrangement of tour towers at the corners of for miles around. the structure formed by the nave and .

Built by emperors as their choice of fi nal rest- ing place, it symbolises their enormous power. Our Tip The cathedral was not dedicated until 1061, al- The International Music Festival is held in Speyer though building work began under the Salian Cathedral from August to October: a splendid festival Emperor Konrad II around 1030. One of the larg- featuring choral, orchestral and organ works est and most important Romanesque buildings in Germany, Speyer’s imperial cathedral is laid out in the form of a cross. This is where Info & reservations the Salian emperors chose to be laid to rest. The Tourist-Information Speyer imposing triple-naved vaulted basilica is the cul- Maximilianstr. 13 mination of a design which predetermined the 67346 Speyer Tel.: +49(0)6232/14 23 92 subsequent development of Romanesque archi- Fax: +49(0)6232/14 23 32 tecture during the 11th and 12th centuries. The E-Mail: [email protected] cathedral’s hallmarks are the balanced distribu- Internet: www.speyer.de

31 STRALSUND AND WISMAR

Stralsund and Wismar Historic Centres

UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002

The historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar Our Tip represent in ideal form the typical development In June, traditional sailing-vessels, as the schooner of Hanseatic Cities during the heyday of the “Atalanta”, and a reproduction of “Poeler Kogge” do Hanseatic League in the 14th century. enchanting tours round Wismar . Each August, Wismar recalls its history under The quarters have retained in more or Swedish rule with the annual “ Fest”. less unaltered form their mediaeval layout and The “Long Night of Open Monuments” is held bear ample witness to the layout of cities cen- on the fi rst Saturday in September each year in Stralsund. tred around maritime commerce according to the “Law of Lübeck” (commercial law trace- able back to the 12th century). The substance of the ancient buildings, with numerous excel- lent examples in the form of individual monu- Info & reservations ments, graphically documents the political Tourismuszentrale der Hansestadt Stralsund signifi cance and extraordinary wealth of the Alter Markt 9 Baltic cities during the middle ages. Wismar 18439 Stralsund Tel.: +49(0)3831/24 690 ist the only remaining Hanseatic City of this Fax: +49(0)3831/24 69 22 size and completeness in the southern Baltic E-Mail: [email protected] region. Stralsund’s unique island location be- Internet: www.stralsundtourismus.de tween the Strelasund Sound and the lagoons Tourist-Information Wismar formed by dams in the 13th century, emphasises Am Markt 11 the mediaeval character of the city. The com- 23952 Wismar Tel.: +49(0)3841/19 433 plex made up of six monumental brick built Fax: +49(0)3841/251-30 91 churches makes for a unique cross-section of E-Mail: [email protected] the famous sacred architecture of both towns. Internet: www.wismar.de

32 www.unesco-welterbe.de TRIER Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986

ANTE ROMAM TREVERIS STETIT ANNIS MILLE more than a town full of antiquities. The hap- TRECENTIS – “Trier existed 1.300 years before py coexistence of the old and the new is pre- Rome” states an inscription on the Rotes Haus cisely what give the place its special charm. (Red House) on the Hauptmarkt. Our Tip Although that is a medieval exaggeration, it The Antiquity-Festival (Antikenfestspiele) from the mid- contains an element of truth. There were in- dle of June to the middle of July in the historical setting deed settlements in the Trier valley as early as of the Roman Amphitheatre or Imperial Baths: grand the 3 th century B. C., and Trier was the fi rst opera and historical plays in a venue laden with history. “town” north of the Alps to bear that label with justifi cation. Augusta Treverorum, later to be Info & reservations know as Trier, was founded by the Romans un- Tourist Information Trier der Emperor Augustus around 16 B. C. close An der Porta Nigra to a place sacred to the Celtic Treveri tribe. To- 54290 Trier Tel.: +49(0)651/97 808-0 day, Trier’s world-class monuments and art Fax: +49(0)651/97 808-88 treasures bear witness to a history going back E-Mail: [email protected] more than 2.000 years. However, Trier is much Internet: www.trier.de/tourismus, www.welterbe-trier.de

33 VÖLKLINGEN Völklingen Ironworks

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994

Völklinger Hütte World Heritage Site is the Our Tip only remaining iron-foundry from the heyday March/April to end of October: Science Center of iron and steel industry. Ferrodrom® familiarizes the visitor with the production and transport of raw materials and The gigantic estate comprising an area of iron, as well as the history of the ironworks, 600.000 sqm. was listed by UNESCO in 1994 and the ironworkers’ workday. More than 100 interactive objects and experimental stations as the fi rst industrial monument and as a wit- complete the exhibition. ness to a bygone industrial age. Put out of serv- For special exhibitions and events, see pro- ice and protected since 1986, the Völklinger gramme under www.voelklinger-huette.org Hütte crude ore production site is now an exit- ing industrial theme park. There are highlights of engineering craft such as the dinosaur-like machines in the blast-engine hall, which covers more than 6.000 sqm., the six blast furnaces in Info & reservations the ironworks park with a 5 km system of paths, Tourismus Zentrale Saarland a world-wide unique inclined elevator from the Franz-Josef-Röder-Straße 17 beginning of the 20 th century. A scaffolded gal- 66119 Saarbrücken lery, 240m long and nearly 30m high was the Tel.: +49(0)681/92 720–0 Fax: +49(0)681/92 720-40 place for feeding coke and crude ore into the E-Mail: [email protected] furnaces. Its dimension is only surpassed by a Internet: www.tourismus.saarland.de lookout platform on a hot-blast stove 45m up. www.voelklinger-huette.org © Weltkulturerbe Völklinger Hütte/Gerhard Kassner Hütte/Gerhard Völklinger Weltkulturerbe ©

34 www.unesco-welterbe.de WEIMAR

Classical Weimar

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998

Weimar is an exceptional place. It is only a small kas Cranach, Herder’s residence, the ancient town, though it has a huge sphere of infl uence. high school. The prince’s sepulchre on the his- toric cemetery is listed as well. A unique era Just over 200 years ago, Weimar became the in German cultural history has been lovingly seminal intellectual centre of the country. You maintained and scientifi cally researched. can visit the poets’ and their patrons’ original residences, and the unique rambling parks of classical Weimar, which was established by their princes in the age of Enlightenment. The Our Tip greatest German poets Johann Wolfgang von Weimar art festival: August/September Goethe and Friedrich Schiller became world fa- Weimar onion market: 2nd weekend in October Weimar Christmas: annually from end of November. mous. In 1998 UNESCO recognizied the testi- mony of classical culture by including it in the List of World Heritage. Among the listings are the well-known Anna Amalia Library, Goethe’s Info & reservations and Schiller’s domiciles, Weimar residential pal- Tourist-Information Weimar ace, and three more palaces with their parks in Markt 10 Belvedere, Ettersburg, and Tiefurt; also Anna 99423 Weimar Tel.: +49(0)3643/74 50 Amalia’s Wittumspalais (widow’s estate), and Fax: +49(0)3643/74 54 20 the places reminiscent of the poet Herder E-Mail: [email protected] – Sts. Peter’s and Paul’s with its triptych by Lu- Internet: www.weimar.de

35 WITTENBERG, EISLEBEN

Th e Luther Memorials UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996

Visitors to Wittenberg can soak up the baptismal church, St. Peter’s and Paul’s, to St. atmosphere of the Reformation and Renais- Andrews’, the church with the original Luther sance periods. , St. Anne’s Church with the only existing stone “picture ”, and the museum com- A stroll through the Old Town takes you straight memorating Luther’s death on February 18, 1546. to the Schlosskirche with the world-famous door on which Luther nailed his Theses, and Our Tip where Luther and Melanchthon are laid to rest, Eisleben KulTour Night in June, then on to the Cranach buildings, to the Mu- Luther’s birthday party in November. nicipal Church with its impressive Cranach al- Luthers’s Wedding: In Wittenberg, every 2nd weekend tar, and to Luther’s and Melanchthon’s houses. in June you can join in one of Germany’s loveliest town Elector Friedrich the Wise ruled his country from festivals at original Reformation sites. The festival his residence in Wittenberg from the end of the celebrates the historic occasion of Luther’s marriage to 15th century. It was a combination of his politi- . www.lutherhochzeit.de cal shrewdness, the university (founded in 1502) and the infl uence of Luther and other reform- Info & reservations ers that made Wittenberg a centre of intel- Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH lectual life in Europe. From 1511, Martin Luther Schlossplatz 2 lived at Wittenberg’s Augustinian monastery 06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg Tel.: +49(0)3491/49 86 10 both as a monk and as a professor. Some years Fax: +49 (0)3491/49 86 11 after his marriage in 1525, the Elector made the E-Mail: [email protected] building over to him. His living quarters are still Internet: www.wittenberg.de preserved in their original condition today. Tourist-Information Lutherstadt Eisleben The historical market square with its medieval Hallesche Straße 4 ambience and monument to Luther is a particu- 06295 Lutherstadt Eisleben Tel.: +49(0)3475/60 21 24 lar highlight of any visit to the “Luther Town” of Fax: +49(0)3475/60 26 34 Eisleben. A walking tour through Eisleben’s old E-Mail: [email protected] town will lead you to the Luther’s birthplace, his Internet: www.eisleben-tourist.de

36 www.unesco-welterbe.de WÜRZBURG Bishop’s Residence, with the Court Gardens and Residence Square

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982

The former seat of the Würzburg prince-, Our Tip built between 1720 and 1744, counts among the May: Baroque festivals – a feast for all senses most noteworthy Baroque palaces in Europe. with Frankish wine and culinary delicacies. Info: www.frankenwein-aktuell.de It is the most beautiful compact example of May/June: Mozart festival with symphony South German Baroque palace architecture. concerts and chamber music by well-known Balthasar Neumann was commissioned by bands and orchestras. Info: www.mozartfest-wuerzburg.de Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schön- July: Italian Night with the sounds of Italian born to design and build “the palace of all Opera in the stairwell, imperial hall, and pal- palaces”. In 1752/53, the Venetian Giovanni ace grounds. Battista Tiepolo painted the worlds’s biggest Info: www.theaterwuerzburg.de ceiling fresco to decorate Neumann’s world- End of June/ beginning of July: Hofgarten famous cantilevered staircase with its vaulted Weinfest in the picturesque residential palace ceiling. Starting with the vestibule and gar- grounds. Info: www.hofkeller.de den hall, the palace features a magnifi cent sequence of rooms, from the stairwell to the White Hall and the Imperial Hall which is also Info & reservations decorated with frescos by G. B. Tiepolo. The Congress · Tourismus · Wirtschaft restored Mirrored Cabinet Room and the mar- Am Congress Centrum ble court church, a shining example of sacral 97070 Würzburg Tel.: +49(0)9 31/37 23 35 art in Würzburg, are two of the most striking Fax: +49(0)9 31/37 36 52 rooms. A stroll through the palace grounds is E-Mail: [email protected] a must for art lovers and nature lovers alike. Internet: www.wuerzburg.de

37 SUGGESTED ROUTES

Lübeck Route 1 Route 2

From Bremen via From Berlin-Potsdam via Wittenberg Lübeck, Wismar to and Dessau-Roßlau to Eisleben Stralsund Berlin, Germany‘s capital city and cultural me- This route makes for an at- tropolis, and Potsdam, both residences of the tractive combination of Prussian kings, represent the traditional axis ancient Hanseatic League along which the state of Brandenburg-Prus- monuments with classi- sia rose to power. In the past, the kings and cal turn-of-the-century Bal- their courtiers travelled between the two cit- tic seaside resorts. Tranquil towns and villages, ies by horse and carriage; today the suburban elegant mansion houses, shadowy avenues of train takes just 30 minutes to cover the same trees, and beaches with crystal clear water are distance through the Grunewald forest. The typical in this region. From the Hanseatic City of journey to Wittenberg on back roads Bremen the route passes by the mediaeval city of Lüneburg. Enjoy the multi-faceted country- side on your way to the Mare Balticum. A jour- ney along the connecting the north- ern and eastern European countries has to start at Lübeck, the Gate to the Baltic. Lübeck was a member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful medieval trading association, as witnessed by the monumental Holstentor (Holsten gate), an ancient town gate. The journey to Wismar con- tinues via Lake to Spa, one of the oldest German Baltic spas. On past Woh- lenberger Wiek with its vast beaches, through Bauhaus sites in Dessau woods and fi elds, to Wismar, the most origi- nally preserved Hanseatic town on the south- through the moorland of the Marches, partly ern Baltic. From Wismar, the journey goes on along picturesque tree-lined avenues. Both, by a pleasant little detour to two more Bal- Lutherstadt Wittenberg, with its Luther as- tic spas: Kühlungsborn, and Heiligendamm, sociations, and Dessau-Rosslau, home of Bau- which presents to this day a unique setting of haus and surrounded by the Dessau-Wörlitz imposing lodging, spa, and club architecture. garden dominion, are distinguished by the Elbe Via , and crossing the ”Vorpommer- and its extensive watery landscapes. An ideal sche Boddenlandschaft” National Park featur- area for cycling tours, on the Elbe Cycling Path ing more charming spas, you arrive at Stral- and elsewhere. The journey then follows the sund, the Hanseatic town on the Sound. The German Avenues Route via the historic Bach tall brick-built churches can be seen from afar. town of Köthen, through Könnern into Eisle- ben, another town with Luther connections. Distances: Bremen to Lüneburg ca. 133 km, Lüneburg to Lübeck ca. Distances: 112 km, Lübeck to Wismar via Boltenhagen ca. 73 km, Berlin/Postdam to Wittenberg ca. 112 km, Wittenberg to Wismar to Kühlungsborn ca. 43 km, Kühlungsborn via Dessau-Roßlau ca. 34 km, Rostock to Stralsund ca. 137 km, total: ca. 498 km Dessau-Roßlau to Eisleben ca. 97 km, total: 243 km We recommend 3 overnight stays. We recommend 2 or 3 overnight stays.

38 www.unesco-welterbe.de UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN GERMANY

St. Michaelis Hildesheim Route 4

Th rough the Upper Middle Rhine Valley to Cologne, Brühl, Aachen, and Essen

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site features magnifi cent countryside and an extraordinary cultural richness. From the tradi- tional vinery towns of Bingen and Rüdesheim you follow the River Rhine via Koblenz to Co- logne, into the cultural heart of the region which features not only the world famous cathedral, Route 3 but also an outstanding choice of museums of international renown and a lively cultural ambi- From Hildesheim via Goslar, Quedlin- ence. Right outside of Cologne, two palaces in burg and Weimar to Wartburg Castle rococo style, Augustusburg and Falkenlust, with their wonderful baroque gardens, are situated Hildesheim is the cultural centre halfway be- in the little town of Brühl. 18th century archi- tween Hannover and the Mountains. Situ- tecture and luxurious way of life can be expe- ated at the heart of the Leinebergland holiday region, this is an ideal place to combine walk- ing with enjoyment of culture. At the edge of the Harz Mountains there are the picturesque towns of Goslar and Quedlinburg, whose medi- eval cores blend harmoniously into the charm- ing scenery surrounding them. The road from Goslar to Quedlinburg leads past the ancient town of , the perfect starting point for a hike in the Hochharz/Brocken Na- tional Park. Just outside the town of Blank- enburg/Harz, Michaelstein former Cistercian Rhine Valley monastery invites visitors to take a break in the most tranquil of settings. Quedlinburg’s Old rienced in their original setting. The next stop Town bears witness to eight centuries of tra- is Aachen, where the 1200 year-old cathedral ditional half-timbered architecture. From here, can be visited. In the neighbourhood, the region the route runs over the Kyffhäuser hills to Wei- where three countries meet is worth seeing. The mar, the cradle of German Classicism. Passing fi nal part of the trip cuts across the Ruhr Mining through beautiful Thüringen landscapes and Area to Essen, where a visit to an original min- by numerous old castles and palaces you will ing surface plant („Zeche Zollverein“) provides make your way to the dominant Wartburg. an impressive experience of industrial history.

Distances: Hildesheim to Goslar ca. 60 km, Goslar to Quedlin- Distances: burg ca. 60 km, Quedlinburg to ca. 17 Bingen/Rüdesheim via Koblenz to Köln ca. 180 km, Köln km, Blankenburg to Weimar ca. 127 km, Weimar to to Brühl ca. 20 km, Brühl to Aachen ca. 71 km, Aachen to Eisenach/Wartburg ca. 83 km, total ca. 347 km Essen ca. 127 km, total: 398 km We recommend 2 overnight stays. We recommend 3 or 4 overnight stays.

You will fi nd all suggested routes in the map on p.42! 39 SUGGESTED ROUTES

Muskau Park Route 6

From Messel via the Limes to Würzburg, Bamberg, and Regensburg

The Messel – Regensburg route starts out on the eastern Rhine valley slopes, south of Frankfurt and east of Darmstadt. Messel fossil pit, featur- ing unique 47 million-year-old shale-embedded mammal fi nds, is the only UNESCO Nature Heri- tage Site in this country. It is worthwhile taking a detour en route from Messel to Würzburg to Route 5 see the Limes, the largest central European area monument. The antique fortifi cation reaches From Dresden to Bad Muskau over a length of 550 km. In several places, e.g. in Stockstadt and Aschaffenburg, stretches of A town which is at the same time a landscape the upper German-Rhaetian limes were recon- – park landscapes embracing a whole town: structed on a 1:1 scale, and were made acces- constellations which help characterise , Bamberg with the city of Dresden and the town of Bad Muskau in particular, as a “green” state. Both are situated astride a river, one on the Elbe, the other on the Neisse. Spectacular views open up from pleasant heights onto the broad river val- leys. After admiring the historical city centre, a visitor to Dresden should for this very reason sible to the public in archaeological parks. After take a stroll through the parks of the three Elbe this brief excursion you arrive at the Residence Palaces and enjoy the breathtaking city pano- town of Würzburg. As well as the golden Ba- rama. A trip on an historic steamboat is like a roque art of the prince bishop’s palace, the town journey back in time as it glides past the im- has lots more to offer: numerous wine taverns pressive villa districts of and Blase- in the original vinery tradition complementing witz en route to Pillnitz, the fascinating sum- the delicious Frankish cuisine. Then via Steiger- mer residence of Augustus the Strong. On the wald nature reserve on to Bamberg, a mag- journey to Bad Muskau you pass through Hel- nifi cent city, endowed with Germany’s largest lerau, the fi rst garden city in this country. Ar- fully preserved historic town centre. It enables riving at last at the park in Bad Muskau (at 830 its visitors an effortless time travel back to the hectares one of the largest in Europe), you can Middle Ages or to the heyday of the Baroque walk in the footsteps of the extravagant Prince era. The last leg takes the traveller past Frän- Pückler, who not only designed magnifi cent kische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland), where buildings there, but also left personal reminis- there are numerous caves and fruit groves. cences at many spots throughout the park. Distances: Distances: Messel to Würzburg ca. 115 km, Würzburg to Dresden to Hellerau ca. 8 km, Hellerau to Bamberg ca. 98 km, Bamberg to Regensburg ca. 163 km, Bad Muskau ca. 115 km, total: 123 km total: 376 km We recommend 1 overnight stay. We recommend 2 overnight stays.

40 www.unesco-welterbe.de UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN GERMANY

Wieskirche church in Pfaffenwinkel Route 7

From Trier to Völklingen and Lorsch, via Speyer to Maulbronn

Welcome to Roma Secunda, as they say in Trier. From here, the route leads southwards through the Hunsrück nature reserve into the Saarland, one of the country’s most important industrial landscapes which has been shaped by its his- tory of iron and steel production. These days the Saarlaned is one of the greenest Federal Coun- tries. It is the home of the “Iron Cathedral“, the Völklingen ironworks. The route to our next stop, Lorsch, runs along the southerly Palati- nate Forest. Continue along the Rhine to Speyer, the imperial cathedral city on the Upper Rhine. Route 8

From the Wieskirche pilgrim church in Pfaff enwinkel to Reichenau Island

This route begins in southern with the rococo splendour of the Wieskirche pilgrim church. Set on a small rise in the middle of a meadow (“Wiese“ in German), the church can be seen for miles around. The route to Lake Con- stance could hardly be more picturesque as it passes along the German Alpine Road via Füs- sen, where a visit to Neuschwanstein fairy-tale castle is well worth the detour. Then it’s on- Roman monuments in Trier wards through the heart of the Allgäu and the Allgäu Alps to on the edge of Lake Con- The fi nal stop is in the stance, and along the panoramic lake route to heart of the Swabian wine region. Nestling amid Meersburg. From here, a ferry departs every 15 the natural beauties of the Kraichgau-Stromb- minutes for . Continue on to Reichenau erg, this is an idyllic resort region, full of natural island in Lake Constance. The very trip to the is- beauty and rich in places of interest, deciduous land is an experience. A poplar-lined causeway woods, meadows and steep vine-covered hills. links the mainland to the island with its famous churches dating back to the 9th - 11th centuries.

Distances: Distances: Trier to Völklingen ca. 105 km, Völklingen to Lorsch Pfaffenwinkel to Lindau ca. 150 km, Lindau to ca. 155 km, Lorsch to Speyer ca. 52 km, Speyer to Meersburg ca. 45 km, Meersburg to Maulbronn ca. 71 km, total ca. 383 km Reichenau ca. 17 km, total ca. 212 km We recommend 2 overnight stays. We recommend at least 1 overnight stay.

You will fi nd all suggested routes in the map on p.42! 41 Stralsund Boltenhagen

Kühlungsborn Rostock LübeckLübeck Wismar

Route 1

Lüneburg Bremen

Berlin

Potsdam Hildesheim Route 2 Dessau-Wörlitz Goslar Wittenberg Bad Muskau Blankenburg Quedlinburg Essen Route 3 Eisleben Route 5 Route 4 Hellerau

Köln Dresden Brühl Eisenach Weimar Aachen

Koblenz

Upper Middle Rhine Valley Rüdesheim Bingen Bamberg Trier Messel Lorsch Würzburg 7 Route Route 6

Völklingen Speyer Regensburg Limes Maulbronn

Reichenau Meersburg Pfaffenwinkel Lindau

42 www.unesco-welterbe.de UNESCO-Themes

32 sites in Germany have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Each bears its own unique testimony to history but can be broadly grouped under the following categories.

Castles & Palaces Suggested The castles and palaces on the UNESCO list of World Heritage embody both magnifi cent royal splendour and elegance and impenetrable strength and fortitude: the Prussian Palaces and Gardens in Berlin and routes Potsdam, the Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces in Brühl, the impos- ing Wartburg Castle in Eisenach and the episcopal Residenz Palace in Route 1 Würzburg. From Bremen via Lübeck, Wismar to Stralsund Landscapes & Gardens 2 Natural heritage such as the fossil deposits at the Messel Pit Fossil Site, Route man-made landscapes in the inspiring gardens of Dessau-Wörlitz, Bad From Berlin-Potsdam via Muskau and Potsdam-Sanssouci and cultural landscapes such as the Up- Wittenberg and Dessau- per Middle Rhine Valley and the Dresden Elbe Valley that have developed Roßlau to Eisleben through the ages as a symbiosis between man and nature, the urban and the rural. All these sites that draw on both human and natural infl uences Route 3 to varying degrees are deemed to be part of mankind’s world heritage. From Hildesheim via Goslar, Quedlinburg and Weimar Churches & Abbeys to Wartburg Castle Sacred buildings have long been viewed as cultural monuments and placed under special protection. Outstanding buildings such as the Wies- 4 Route kirche , the cathedrals of Aachen, Cologne, Speyer, Trier Through the Upper Middle and Hildesheim, as well as unique abbey complexes such as the Cistercian Rhine Valley to Cologne, Abbey of Maulbronn, the Benedictine Abbey of Lorsch and the Monastic Island of Reichenau bear grand testimony to the cultural achievements of Brühl, Aachen, and Essen earlier periods. Wittenberg, Eisleben and Eisenach are closely associated Route 5 with Martin Luther. From Dresden to Bad Muskau Industry Route 6 Mining and the industrial revolution have left an indelible stamp on Ger- From Messel via the Limes man history. The legacy of striking industrial architecture is just as much to Würzburg, Bamberg, part of mankind’s heritage as other cultural achievements. These include and Regensburg the Rammelsberg mines in Goslar, which were mined over a period of 1,020 years, the Völklingen Ironworks, the largest ironworks in the Saar- Route 7 land, and the industrial complex of the Zollverein Mine in Essen. From Trier to Völklingen and Lorsch, via Speyer Old Towns to Maulbronn Monuments are only inscribed on the World Heritage List if they meet 8 the criteria of “uniqueness” and “authenticity” laid down in the UNESCO Route convention. The historical town centres and building ensembles on the From the Wieskirche pilgrim list of German sites of World Heritage are all quite unique in at least one church in Pfaffenwinkel respect. This applies equally to all the building ensembles in Lübeck, Wis- mar, Stralsund, Quedlinburg, Goslar, Weimar and Bamberg that have been to Reichenau Island placed under UNESCO protection.

Detailed descriptions of all routes on p 38-41. Various Sites TRAVEL INSURANCE COVER for visitors from abroad

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out facility under www.hmrv.de Cologne Cathedral, Germany on and take- – a world heritage building Informati