2,000 years of European cultural history have certainly left their mark on Germany. Nowhere else will you find as many unique sites of natural and cultural interest situated so closely together. 33 of them have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites of "extraordinary universal interest" and have been placed under the protection of international conventions.
A journey to a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a very special and unique journey into the past. From churches and abbeys, historical Old Towns, castles, palaces and gardens to industrial monuments, every one of Germany's World Heritage Sites is well worth a visit. Let yourself be captivated by the very places where history was made.
Old Town in Regensburg
Regensburg, the 2,000 year old Roman city, is located at the
northernmost point of the Danube. Emerging from the Second World
War with little damage, it bears many treasures of Roman and Gothic
architecture. In 2006, the 'Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof'
was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, giving credit to the
city's former political role, its function as a base of medieval
trading and the excellent quality of the town's architecture
and structure.
About a thousand Romanesque and Gothic listed structures have been preserved over the centuries and help to make Regensburg a very special location. Walking along the charming alleys in the pedestrian zone of the Old Town, visitors can easily experience the culture of this historic city with it's big Patrician houses and towers, infl uenced by Italian architecture, a great number of churches and monastic ensembles, narrow alleys, surrounded by the houses of merchants and craftsmen. The several centuries old stone bridge is to be counted among the masterpieces of European bridge architecture and offers a picturesque setting for a city walk.
Things to do - Regensburg
Try a regional delicacy, the sausages, in the traditional 'Wurstkuchl', the oldest sausage tavern in the world.
Visit the Thurn and Taxis Castle Festival in July, when concerts and plays are shown in the castle courtyard.
Travel information
Munich International Airport:
2hr by train.
Special Tip:
The fastest way from Munich airport to Regensburg is by Airport Shuttle which drops you off at your hotel. Book in advance, from €29.
Bauhaus - Dessau & Weimar
As UNESCO explained in its official justification, the Bauhaus ('House of Building' or 'Building School'), with its sites in Weimar (Thuringia) and Dessau (Saxony-Anhalt), represents the so-called 'Bauhaus school of architecture' which, between 1919 and 1933, applied revolutionary ideas to building design and town planning. The school's professors (Walter Gropius, Hannes Meyer, Lazlo Moholy-Nagy and Wassily Kandinsky) founded the Bauhaus style, which made an important mark on the architecture of the 20th century. In spite of its name, and the fact that the founders were architects, the Bauhaus did not have an architecture department during its first years of existence. However, it was founded with the idea of generating a 'total' work of art in which all arts, including architecture would eventually be brought together. The Bauhaus style became one of the most influential trends in Modernist architecture and modern design.
The Bauhaus had a profound influence upon subsequent developments
in art, architecture, graphic design, interior design, industrial
design, and typography. Since 2007 the buildings have been
renovated in Dessau and a permanent exhibition shows the history of
the famous 'School of Design'.
Things to do - Bauhaus - Dessau & Weimar
See the other UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the region: the 'Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Principality' and the historical sites of 'Classical Weimar'.
Visit the Weimar Art Festival held annually in
August/September. An international festival of drama, ballet and
music.
Travel information
Weimar:
Frankfurt Airport, onward rail journey to Weimar (3hr).
Weimar Card:
3 days reduced or even free admission to museums, exhibitions, the German National Theatre and the Weimar Art Festival plus free local public transport. €10 per person.
Dessau:
Berlin Airport, onward rail journey to Dessau (1hr 40min).
Dessau Card:
3 days unlimited travel on public transport and reduction on the
Bauhaus exhibition.
€8 (valid for 1 adult and 1 child until the age of 12).
Hanseatic City of Lübeck
In 1987, Lübeck was the first Old Town in Germany to be officially designated a Cultural Heritage Site. The medieval atmosphere and historically important cultural sights shape the face of the city and testify to Lübeck's great past as a Hanseatic City. Surrounded by water, the historic Old Town is a significant symbol of brick stone architecture from the Gothic period.
Despite the damage it suffered during the Second World War, the basic structure of the old city remained unaltered. The seven church spires have dominated the city skyline ever since the Middle Ages. The Holsten Gate is known throughout the world and is now the symbol of the city. The most important buildings are listed as World Heritage Sites, such as the Town Hall, the 'Burgkloster' convent, the Koberg district, a completely preserved quarter of the late 13th century and the old salt warehouses on the left side of the River Trave.
Things to do - Lübeck
A visit to Lübeck's Christmas Markets, which were fi rst mentioned in 1648, is a must for all visitors during the festive season.
Spend a day at the seaside, Travemünde is fondly referred to as
'Lübeck's fair daughter'. A broad white sandy beach and a long
history make this seaside resort very special.
Travel Information
Fly to Hamburg Airport and onward rail journey (1hr).
Romantic Monuments in Trier
Welcome to Trier, Germany's oldest city. There were settlements in the Trier valley as early as the 3rd century B.C. and Trier was the first 'town' north of the Alps to bear that label with justifi cation. It is a fascinating travel destination with historical monuments, churches and Roman backdrops which will make any visit to this romantic Moselle city an unforgettable experience.
The most famous sites are silent but eloquent witnesses to magnificent cultural achievements, such as the Roman Amphitheatre, the Imperial and Barbara Baths, the Roman Bridge, the Church of Our Lady and of course the 1,800-year-old 'Porta Nigra'. But there is plenty more than just the inner city to discover. Embedded in the heights of the Hunsrück and Eifel Mountains are peaceful vineyards, where the Celts and Romans cultivated their vines 2,000 years ago, and the beautiful Moselle Valley is a particularly desirable travel destination for those seeking rest and relaxation.
Things to do - Trier
Visit the Palace Garden in the heart of the city, a jewel of garden architecture with several different styled sections.
Visit the Karl-Marx-House in Trier, a museum dedicated to the life
and works of the city's famous son.
Travel information
Luxembourg Airport
Just a 30 minute drive away. A shuttle service will bring you directly to your hotel in the city (reservation in advance).
Frankfurt Airport:
3hr by train.
Trier Card:
3 days free transport on the entire inner city bus network and many reductions on museum entries and sights. From €9 per person.