Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, grew rich in the Middle Ages on trade and a blue dye, and so many church towers rise above its old town that it was nicknamed the Thuringian Rome. Much of its medieval centre survived the Second World War. Here are the facts and stories that make the city special.
10 fun facts about Erfurt
- Houses on a bridge: the Krämerbrücke, a stone bridge completed in 1325, is lined with 32 houses that people still live in, with shops on the ground floor. It is often called the longest inhabited bridge in Europe.
- Seventy steps to two churches: St Mary's Cathedral and the Church of St Severus stand side by side on a hill above Domplatz, reached by a broad flight of 70 steps.
- A giant medieval bell: the Gloriosa, cast in 1497 by Gerhard van Wou and hanging in the cathedral's central tower, is one of the largest free-swinging medieval bells in the world. It rings only on major feast days.
- A synagogue from the 11th century: the oldest parts of Erfurt's Old Synagogue date from 1094, making it one of the oldest preserved synagogue buildings in Europe. Today it is a museum.
- A treasure in the wall: in 1998, building work uncovered the Erfurt Treasure, more than 3,000 silver coins and over 700 pieces of goldsmiths' work, probably hidden by a Jewish family during the massacre of 1349. It is on show in the Old Synagogue.
- World Heritage since 2023: the Old Synagogue, a medieval mikveh (ritual bath) near the Krämerbrücke and the Stone House together became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.
- Luther's university town: Martin Luther studied at the University of Erfurt from 1501. Founded by papal charter in 1379, the university was closed in 1816 and refounded in 1994.
- Blue gold: woad, a plant that gives a blue dye, made medieval Erfurt rich. Its merchants traded it across Europe until indigo from overseas took over, and their grand houses still line the streets.
- A fall from grace: in 1184 the floor of a hall collapsed during an assembly of nobles called by King Henry VI, and dozens of them fell into the latrine pit below and died. The event is known as the Erfurt Latrine Disaster.
- Willy Brandt to the window: on 19 March 1970 West German Chancellor Willy Brandt met East Germany's Premier Willi Stoph at the Erfurter Hof hotel, the first meeting of the two German heads of government. The crowd outside chanted for Brandt to come to the window.
Luther and the thunderstorm
On 2 July 1505, the young law student Martin Luther was walking back to Erfurt when a violent thunderstorm caught him near the village of Stotternheim. Lightning struck close by, and in terror he cried out to Saint Anne, promising to become a monk if he survived. About two weeks later, against his father's wishes, he knocked on the door of Erfurt's Augustinian monastery. He was ordained a priest in Erfurt Cathedral in 1507. The monastery, with the cloister and church Luther knew, can still be visited and also works as a guest house.
Domplatz and the Petersberg, explained
Below the cathedral steps spreads Domplatz, the stage for Erfurt's Christmas market and, in summer, for open-air performances on the steps themselves. Behind it rises the Petersberg, a hill crowned by one of the largest baroque citadels in Central Europe, built from 1665. You can walk its walls and bastions freely, and they give the best view over the city's towers.
What to eat in Erfurt
- Thüringer Rostbratwurst: grilled over charcoal and served in a bread roll. The first written record of a Thuringian bratwurst dates from 1404.
- Born mustard: Erfurt's own mustard, made by the Born company since 1820, is the classic partner for a bratwurst.
- Thüringer Klöße: large, smooth potato dumplings, served with roast meat and plenty of gravy, especially on Sundays.
- Brunnenkresse: watercress has long been grown in Erfurt's spring-fed beds, and you'll find it in soups, salads and spreads.
Good to know before you go
- Weimar, the city of Goethe and Schiller, is only about 15 minutes away by train, so it makes an easy half-day trip.
- Visit the Old Synagogue and the mikveh together. The mikveh can usually be seen only on a guided tour, so check times in advance.
- The Krämerbrückenfest in June fills the bridge and the old town with music and market stalls, and the Christmas market on Domplatz is very popular, so book accommodation early for both.
- Climb the Petersberg late in the day for the light on the cathedral and the towers of the old town.
Explore Erfurt with World City Trail
Our Erfurt scavenger hunt turns these sights into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around two hours, with about 28 minutes of walking, and leads you to places such as the Angermuseum, the city's art museum in a baroque weigh house.
At each stop you solve a puzzle and hear a short story, at your own pace. You can start whenever you like and play in English, German, French, Italian or Dutch.
Play the Erfurt scavenger hunt →
Facts checked in October 2026.