Erfurt Germany

John King

Erfurt, Germany

The missionary Boniface founded the town of Erfurt in 742 A.D. as a bishopric. It was an important trading center throughout the Middle Ages because of its strategic location. Throughout the middle ages Erfurt and the surrounding towns were known for German woad trade, which is used in blue dye. In 1379 the University of Erfurt was opened and became the third university in Germany. The university was lucky to educate one of the most influential people in all of German history in Martin Luther. While, in Erfurt Martin Luther became a monk and an ordained priest of the Catholic empire. The city became a part of the Electorate of Mainz in the middle of the 1660’s. This was one of the largest states within the Holy Roman Empire. The city later became a part of Prussia but that was shortly lived when it was taken over by Napoleon. It was returned back to Prussia after the Napoleonic wars. From this time up till World War 2 Erfurt continued to grow as and economic center. In World War 2 Erfurt was a prime bomb location for its rail lines especially to slow down the dispersement of oil to the front lines. After the war the city fell into the Soviet Union controlled zone of Germany and was under Communist rule until the break up of the USSR.

Erfurt is a city located in the Thuringia in the heart of the country. It has a population of 205,000 people. It is located on the Gera River in the Thuringian Basin. The Thuringian basin is know for its lush soils and is a popular agriculture center. Erfurt is an important crossroads for the country since it is located in the middle of the country. This also makes it an important hub of industry, which includes metalworking. Erfurt is also a prime location of the production and research of technology. Flowerbeds and baskets riddle the city in the spring in summer because Erfurt also exports seeds and processed foods; the city hosts an annual garden show.

Sights to See

Mariendom and Severikirche:

·      Roman Catholic Domination

·      Severikirche was built sometime in the early 1100’s

·      Mariendom was re-built and added on to in the 15^th century

·      Mariendom has the largest swinging church bell built in the middle ages that is still in service

·      Cathedral is the house of the tomb of Count von Gleichen

Old Synagogue

·      Built sometime in the 11^th century

·      Thought to be the oldest synagogue still standing in Europe

·      Houses the Erfurt Treasure

Town Hall

·      Built in the 1870’s

·      Was influteial town center

·      Houses many paintings that depict the legend of Martin Luther

·      Located around the Fish Market

Augustinerkloster

·      Monastery where Martin Luther became a monk

·      Built between 1270 and 1340

·      The monastery went out of use in the 1550’s and used for various different things over the next few years.

·      During world war 2 was bombed by British

Kramer Bridge

·      Also know as the Kramerbrucker

·      Buildings line the bridges outside

·      Built within the 12^th century

·      Was originally built with wood but repeated fires took it out

·      Constructed with stone in the late 13^th century

·      32 different houses stand today

·      Mostly artisans and antique shops

Petersburg Citadel

·      Built in the 1660’s

·      Been added on to throughout time

·      Many different people have occupied it

·      Was a strong point during World War 2

·      Taken over by the Americans

Old University

·      Founded in 1379

·      Third university of Germany

·      Martin Luther attended the school

·      Closed by the Prussian government

·      Re-opened in 2000

·      Main focuses today are education and religion

·      Liberal arts college