Erfurt

The state capital of Thuringia boasts over 1,270 years of history and is one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Germany. Erfurt is typified by the attractive patrician townhouses and lovingly reconstructed half-timbered buildings and has played host to many important figures including Luther, Napoleon, Goethe and the Bach family. Its two churches, the Mariendom and St. Severus, stand side by side as emblems of the city and the famous Kramerbrucke bridge never fails to fascinate. Crossing the narrow Gera River, the bridge is 120 metres long and with 32 houses along its course, it is the longest inhabited bridge in Europe.

The historical attractions continue with Petersberg Citadel, the best-preserved Baroque city fortress in Central Europe. Visitors are free to tour the underground passageways to discover the tumultuous history of this struct built in the place of a former monastery.

• Flight time from London: 1 hour 40 min
• Leipzig/Halle Airport: 138km from the city centre; transfer time about 48min by train
• Nearest railway station: Hauptbahnhof Erfurt
• Currency: Euro