Erfurt

Erfurt is the capital of Thuringia, centrally located in Germany. The city lies on the Gera river and is known for its well-preserved medieval old town, including the Krämerbrücke, a historic bridge lined with half-timbered houses. It has a population of about 210,000 and serves as a regional center for administration, education, and culture.

Historically, Erfurt developed as a market and religious center in the Middle Ages. It gained town rights in the 13th century and became an important trading hub on regional routes. In 1505 Martin Luther joined the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt, a moment often noted in discussions of the Reformation. The core religious architecture around the Anger includes the Dom St. Marien (Erfurt Cathedral) and the Severikirche, which showcase Romanesque and Gothic elements and define the city’s skyline.

Key landmarks besides the Krämerbrücke include the Augustinerkloster and the Angermuseum, a museum of art and applied arts. The Krämerbrücke is notable as one of the best-preserved inhabited bridges in Europe, with historic houses occupying both sides of the bridge.

Erfurt is also an educational center. The University of Erfurt, re-founded in 1994, traces its origins to a medieval university established in 1379 and remains a prominent institution for humanities and social sciences. The city hosts a range of higher education and research facilities.

Today Erfurt functions as a transportation and economic hub in central Germany, with a major railway junction on the Berlin–Frankfurt high-speed corridor, integrated road connections, and a growing tourism sector focused on its historic core, museums, and cultural events.