Carl Zeiss (September 11, 1816 – December 3, 1888), an optical instrument entrepreneur, is world-renowned for founding the Zeiss company and made significant contributions to the production of modern lenses. Zeiss started his business in Weimar, Germany, and by the 18…
The Schott Glass Museum is located in Jena, the second-largest city in the German state of Thuringia. The Schott Glass Factory is a well-known German manufacturer of optical glass, founded in 1884 by Ernst Karl Abbe and Otto Sc…
Jen Tower is a skyscraper located in the city of Jena, Germany. Due to its cylindrical shape, it is also affectionately called the "gingerbread roll." It is a landmark of Jena, the tallest building in former East Germany, and the ninth tallest skyscraper in Germany. This iconic building in the city center was designed by the former East German...
Erfurt Cathedral is located on the Cathedral Hill in Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany. It is an ancient church with a history of 1,200 years. This is a church built in the International Gothic architectural style, also widely known as “St. Mary’s Cathedral,” and is the most important and oldest church building in Erfurt. In the mid-8th century…
Belvedere Palace is situated on a small hill unexpectedly located within the inner city of Weimar, a renowned cultural city in Germany. It is one of the most magnificent ancient palaces in Weimar. Originally built as a summer residence for Ernst August, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, between 1724 and 17…
Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) was a renowned 18th-century German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright, and one of the leading figures of German Enlightenment literature. Schiller was a prominent representative of the famous "Sturm und Drang" movement in German literary history and…
Franz Liszt (October 22, 1811 – July 31, 1886), a Hungarian pianist and composer, was one of the leading figures of Romantic music. Liszt’s former residence is located in Weimar, a renowned cultural city in Germany, situated at the entrance of the park by the Ilm River...
Ilmenau is known as the "Gothic City" and the "University City." It is located in the Ilm Valley, 33 kilometers southwest of Erfurt, the capital of the German state of Thuringia, and south of the Thuringian Forest. It is the largest city in Ilm County and the 12th largest city in Thuringia. For over a hundred years, Ilmenau remained relatively unknown,...
Eisenach is a city in the German state of Thuringia, located on the northern hills of the Thuringian Forest along the Hörsel River, about 50 kilometers west of Erfurt. The early history of the city is unknown, but today it is an important city in Thuringia, with automobile manufacturing as one of its…
Gera is a city in eastern Thuringia, Germany, located southwest of Leipzig. As the third-largest city in Thuringia, it forms a polycentric old industrial and steel base together with nearby Chemnitz, Zwickau, and Plauen. It was first mentioned in 995, developed into a city in the 13th century, and is currently an important city in Thuringia...
Jena is located on the Saale River in central Germany and is the second-largest city in the state of Thuringia after the state capital, Erfurt. The city is renowned for its optical industry and is a place where industrial tradition and cultural heritage, scientific research and economic development, as well as a beautiful old town and vibrant academic life, come together seamlessly. The Saale River valley where Jena is situated...
Located in central Germany, Erfurt is the capital of Thuringia. It captivates visitors with its distinctive medieval charm, rich historical heritage, vibrant lifestyle, and warm hospitality. Situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes in Germany and Europe, the city is both the hometown and meeting place of great thinkers and the proud birthplace of the Reformation, drawing travelers from around the world.
Weimar is located at the foot of the Ettersberg mountain and along the Ilm River in the central German state of Thuringia. It is here that Germany’s first unified republic—the Weimar Republic—and the country’s first democratic constitution were born. This city is also the birthplace of modern design—Bauhaus—which has had a profound impact on the development of global art and design.
The Jena Optics Museum is located in the city of Jena, Thuringia, Germany. It is a science and technology museum dedicated to research and exhibitions related to optics, and is currently the only museum of its kind in Germany. Since 1965, the museum has displayed one of the largest collections of eyeglasses in Europe, along with collections and...
Introduction Opened in 1877, it is an important museum dedicated to art, crafts, and design. In this striking yellow building, all exhibits revolve around applied arts, sculpture, print collections, and the history of photography. The museum houses treasures ranging from ancient Greco-Roman times to contemporary Europe, the Middle...
Introduction Planten un Blomen is Low German for "plants and flowers." It is a source of pride for Hamburgers and their favorite urban leisure spot. This area was originally part of the 17th-century fortifications. Between 1819 and 1820, the fortifications were demolished…
Introduction On the green shores of Lake Alster lies Hamburg’s most popular park, where there’s always something lively going on. Stroll along one of the most scenic tree-lined boulevards by Hamburg’s Alster Lake. This area was once private property—on Harvestehuder Road, the owners of the grand estates used to graze their livestock here. Today, it’s public space, drawing many locals on sunny days. A two-hour walk from Jungfernstieg to the Lattenkamp U-Bahn station along the shores of Lake Alster offers visitors a glimpse into the social life of a once privileged few. You’ll also pass numerous cafés where you can take a break, such as Cliff (on Alsterchaussee) or the little “Red Dog” near Krugkoppel Bridge—their red building was once a public facility. Transportation Take subway line U3 to Rathaus Station, or buses 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, or 102 to Rathausmarkt Station, or walk 15 minutes from the Central Station.
Introduction St. Michaelis Church is located on a high hill not far from the north bank of the Elbe River, west of the town hall. Built in the 17th century, it stands 132 meters tall, with its entire bell tower in a copper-green hue. It is the most important Baroque-style church in northern Germany, and the spire of St. Michaelis Church is an iconic symbol of Hamburg. The interior of the church can accommodate 3…
Introduction Alster Lake (Alster) is divided into the Inner Lake and the Outer Lake. The bridges between the two lakes, Kennedybrücke and Lombardsbrücke, offer great views of the panoramic skyline of Hamburg. The Inner Alster Lake is located east of the Town Hall Square, like a pearl embedded…
The Krämerbrücke is a unique bridge in Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany, featuring numerous half-timbered houses built on it — a feature that is said to be unparalleled in northern regions of the Alps in Europe. This pedestrian bridge spans the Breitstrom, a tributary of the Gera River, …