By Russell Horn
Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt are all places in Germany that are very popular with tourists for their historical and cultural significance, not to mention all the art museums, opera houses, shopping districts, and so forth that they have to offer. But Germany is more than its big cities. Here are five hidden gems that the average tourist might not get to, but which are definitely worth discovering.
1. Kiel, Germany
Kiel is located on Germany's northern coast, along the Baltic Sea and not far from Denmark. Because of its location, it has long been a maritime center for Germany, and in fact the sailing competitions of both the 1936 and 1972 Olympic Games were held in Kiel. "Kiel Week," an annual festival held in June, is the world's largest sailing event, and each year draws over 5,000 sailors and 2,000 sailing ships of every sort. For those more interested in land than sea, Kiel boasts two beautiful botanic gardens, the Neuer Botanischer and Alter Botanischer gardens. Both gardens date back to the mid seventeenth century, and are open daily to visitors.
Kiel is located on Germany's northern coast, along the Baltic Sea and not far from Denmark. Because of its location, it has long been a maritime center for Germany, and in fact the sailing competitions of both the 1936 and 1972 Olympic Games were held in Kiel. "Kiel Week," an annual festival held in June, is the world's largest sailing event, and each year draws over 5,000 sailors and 2,000 sailing ships of every sort. For those more interested in land than sea, Kiel boasts two beautiful botanic gardens, the Neuer Botanischer and Alter Botanischer gardens. Both gardens date back to the mid seventeenth century, and are open daily to visitors.
2. Lubeck, Germany
Located in the same northern region as Kiel, Lubeck is Germany's largest Baltic Sea port. A city with a long history, modern people first settled Lubeck in the eighth century by various Slavic tribes. In the twelfth century, the Count of Holstein and Schauenburg, Adolf II, built a castle and established a town on the site. The town traded hands over the years betweens the Danes and the Germans, but by the fourteenth century, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV named Lubeck one of the empire's five glories - the other four were Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Why did a city which was once the "Glory of the Empire" decline into relative obscurity? During the Napoleonic Wars, France temporarily occupied Lubeck, and the once wealthy city went bankrupt. Later, in part because Hitler personally disliked Lubeck, Hitler granted most of Lubeck's territory to Prussia, ending its seven hundred years of independence. In the Second World War that soon followed, Lubeck was the first German city to sustain serious damage from Allied bombing.
Located in the same northern region as Kiel, Lubeck is Germany's largest Baltic Sea port. A city with a long history, modern people first settled Lubeck in the eighth century by various Slavic tribes. In the twelfth century, the Count of Holstein and Schauenburg, Adolf II, built a castle and established a town on the site. The town traded hands over the years betweens the Danes and the Germans, but by the fourteenth century, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV named Lubeck one of the empire's five glories - the other four were Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Why did a city which was once the "Glory of the Empire" decline into relative obscurity? During the Napoleonic Wars, France temporarily occupied Lubeck, and the once wealthy city went bankrupt. Later, in part because Hitler personally disliked Lubeck, Hitler granted most of Lubeck's territory to Prussia, ending its seven hundred years of independence. In the Second World War that soon followed, Lubeck was the first German city to sustain serious damage from Allied bombing.
Today, Lubeck may not have reclaimed its status of "Glory of the Empire," but it is certainly a beautiful city that is an excellent destination for history buffs. Despite enduring warfare and bombing, much of the original medieval city of Lubeck remains or has been restored. In fact, in 1987, its city center became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Bremen, Germany
Also in the north of Germany, but on its western side, is the city of Bremen. The second most populous city in northern Germany, Bremen has much to offer but lacks the hustle-and-bustle of larger German cities such as Berlin and Frankfurt. Home to the German beers Beck and St. Pauli Girl, Bremen has long been popular with American and western European tourists. Despite taking severe damage by Allied bombing during World War II, Bremen quickly recovered and is today nearly completely restored to its former glory.
Also in the north of Germany, but on its western side, is the city of Bremen. The second most populous city in northern Germany, Bremen has much to offer but lacks the hustle-and-bustle of larger German cities such as Berlin and Frankfurt. Home to the German beers Beck and St. Pauli Girl, Bremen has long been popular with American and western European tourists. Despite taking severe damage by Allied bombing during World War II, Bremen quickly recovered and is today nearly completely restored to its former glory.
4. Munster, Germany
In the northwest of Germany, south of Bremen, is the city of Munster. With slightly less than 300,000 residents, Munster is large enough to be considered a "major city", but still small enough to feel relaxed. Less well-known as a tourist destination that Bremen, Munster nevertheless has a 1,200 year history and plenty of historic sites to see. In fact, Munster is a very popular tourist destination amongst German and Dutch tourists, but outside of Germany, very few visitors venture into the city. Like other old German cities, the city center of Munster is a blend of medieval and modern; outside the city, the surrounding countryside is very beautiful and worth touring.
In the northwest of Germany, south of Bremen, is the city of Munster. With slightly less than 300,000 residents, Munster is large enough to be considered a "major city", but still small enough to feel relaxed. Less well-known as a tourist destination that Bremen, Munster nevertheless has a 1,200 year history and plenty of historic sites to see. In fact, Munster is a very popular tourist destination amongst German and Dutch tourists, but outside of Germany, very few visitors venture into the city. Like other old German cities, the city center of Munster is a blend of medieval and modern; outside the city, the surrounding countryside is very beautiful and worth touring.
5. Erfurt, Germany
Located in the center of Germany, the city of Erfurt is the capital city of the Thuringia region. Like other cities mentioned above, Erfurt has a beautiful medieval city center, but unlike the other cities, the city center didn't have to be rebuilt or restored after World War II - Erfurt had the good fortune of sustaining only minimal damage during the war. This means that Erfurt's city center is one of the most attractive in all of Germany, and it sports so many churches that it is nicknamed "the Rome of Thuringia." But its true historic significance is related not to the Vatican but to Martin Luther - Luther received his university education and entered the priesthood in Erfurt. For Lutherans, visiting Erfurt is a true pilgrimage; for other tourists, Erfurt is a quiet, quaint city that is home to many attractive sites to see.
Located in the center of Germany, the city of Erfurt is the capital city of the Thuringia region. Like other cities mentioned above, Erfurt has a beautiful medieval city center, but unlike the other cities, the city center didn't have to be rebuilt or restored after World War II - Erfurt had the good fortune of sustaining only minimal damage during the war. This means that Erfurt's city center is one of the most attractive in all of Germany, and it sports so many churches that it is nicknamed "the Rome of Thuringia." But its true historic significance is related not to the Vatican but to Martin Luther - Luther received his university education and entered the priesthood in Erfurt. For Lutherans, visiting Erfurt is a true pilgrimage; for other tourists, Erfurt is a quiet, quaint city that is home to many attractive sites to see.
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