Germany is a country with amazing architectural treasures. It has some minor Roman and Carolingian monuments, but it is with the Romanesque and Gothic that German building craft really came to the fore. The influence of the Renaissance was limited, but Baroque and Rococo are well represented. More modern styles, including Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, Modern, and Post-Modern, can also be found, especially in German cities. Air raids in WorldWar II ruined most German cities. Many rebuilt the damaged buildings while others opted to rebuild in modern style. Half-timbered houses (Fachwerk) make some of the most romantic townscapes and are often seen as typically German and typically medieval - though most half-timbered buildings are from the 16th to 18th century. The long tradition of dividing inheritances gave Germany literally hundreds of small states and principalities, each with its own palaces and residences. More than 20,000 castles and castle ruins are scattered throughout the country. Often the largest palaces and churches are found in what are now small and insignificant towns. Germany is more than arts and culture. It is also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking is the most popular activity in Germany, with thousands of marked trails throughout the country. Cycling is also popular, with many dedicated cycling routes. Canoeing and kayaking are done on many rivers and lakes. Skiing and other winter sports are possible in the Bavarian Alps and many parts of the Mittelgebirge. Germany also has amazing natural beauty, with the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest and the Harz Mountains. This book starts in Berlin and then follows a geographical Baroque "S," with a few extra curls at the top end, first through eastern, then northern Germany, before passing through the western states to end in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in the south.
Eastern Germany
Berlin, Germany's capital and largest city, is also the most interesting destination. It has more than 170 museums, three opera houses, enormous cultural variety, and a gripping modern history. Brandenburg surrounds Berlin. It is the largest of the former East German states that joined West Germany after the Wende (the Change, as the end of the Communist regime is commonly called). It is also one of the poorest. The most popular destination here is Potsdam, which, due to its close proximity to Berlin, is more often than not visited on a day-trip from the capital. Saxony (Sachsen) is one of the most densely populated states in Germany, but has natural beauty, especially in the Saxon Switzerland area south of Dresden. Its two major cities, Dresden and Leipzig, are tourist magnets. Dresden is restoring its pre-1945 Baroque appearance and, in addition to the marvelous architecture, it has some excellent museums and art collections. The immediate appeal of Leipzig is less obvious but it is a great city to visit - giving the impression of a lived-in city rather than an artificial tourist attraction. Thuringia (Thüringen) is closely associated with German literature through the Weimar classical movement led by Goethe and Schiller. In addition toWeimar, Erfurt has a wonderfully preserved medieval town center and Eisenach has the Wartburg, the most German of castles. The Thuringian Forest is a lovely wooded low-rise mountain range of outstanding natural beauty with the Rennsteig, Germany's most popular long-distance hiking trail, at its crest. Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt) is a predominantly rural state. A large part of the beautiful Harz Mountain range is in the southern part of the state and has lovely half-timbered villages including Quedlinburg and Wernigerode. The state also has three major sights associated with Martin Luther in Wittenberg, Eisenach, and Mansfield. Saxony-Anhalt is a magnet for Romanesque architecture enthusiasts as well. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) is the northernmost part of the former East Germany. It has the lowest population density of any state in Germany and unspoiled nature is still easy to find. Highlights include the Baltic Coast, with the island of Rügen especially popular among well-heeled travelers. In the former Hanseatic cities it is the brick Gothic churches and town halls that are especially impressive. Many country
roads are tree-lined allees.
Northern Germany
Schleswig-Holstein is in the north of the former West Germany, mostly on the Jutland peninsula that ends in Denmark. Few foreign tourists travel here, but the town of Lubeck, for centuries the queen of the Hanseatic League, is worth a journey. It has marvelous examples of brick Gothic architecture. Hamburg, a city-state, is Germany's second-largest city and premier port. It is a spread-out city with mostly modern, low-rise buildings and much water and greenery. Especially popular are harbor cruises, the Alster Lake, and the elegant shopping arcades. Bremen, another city-state, is Germany's second-largest harbor. It has an impressive historic center but many modern attractions are being created to appeal to younger visitors. Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) is the original home of the Saxons. Its North Sea coast is popular with German families, but for most foreign travelers the south is more interesting. It has many small villages with wonderful half-timbered buildings such as Celle and Hann. Munden (Hannoversch Munden). The Weser Renaissance architecture of towns such as Hameln is also interesting. Hildesheim and Goslar were important towns at the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire a millennium ago and have interesting Romanesque structures as well as lovely half-timbered buildings in the old sections.
Western Germany
North Rhine Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen) is densely populated, with the Ruhr district, the former powerhouse of German industry, having the highest concentration of large cities in the country. More interesting is Cologne, with its enormous Gothic cathedral, numerous Romanesque churches, excellent museums, and the most refreshing beer in the country. Bonn has important museums and Beethoven-related sights. Dusseldorf is a modern city with high fashion and modern art, while Aachen was the preferred capital of Charlemagne. Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) boasts the most romantic stretches of the Rhine Valley, with castles or castle ruins every two km (1.2 miles). It also has the equally beautiful Mosel Valley with the meandering river in a steep, narrow valley. Speyer, Worms and Mainz have interesting Romanesque cathedrals, while Trier has the largest collection of Roman monuments in Germany. Saarland is well off the beaten track and seldom visited by foreign tourists.
Hesse (Hessen) is geographically at the center of Germany with an excellent transportation network, including Frankfurt Airport, the busiest airport in continental Europe. Frankfurt is a mostly modern city but with a couple of interesting historic buildings and a number of excellent museums. The Lahn Valley is a gem, with wonderful castles and cathedrals along Germany's most popular canoeing river.
Southern Germany
Bavaria (Bayern) is the largest state in Germany and the most popular holiday destination for domestic and foreign travelers alike. In the north of the state is Franken, with important historic cities such as Wurzburg, Bamberg, and Nurnberg. Regensburg and Passau are on the banks of the Danube and both cities have interesting historic centers that escaped damage during the World War II. The Romantic Road is a popular holiday route that passes romantic sites, including Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most romantic of all Germany's medieval towns. Apart from Berlin, Munich (Munchen) is the most interesting German city. It has a vast range of cultural offerings, including excellent art museums and spectacular, mostly Baroque, royal palaces. It is the home of beer, with many historic beer halls, beer gardens and, of course,Oktoberfest. The Bavarian Alps have the most spectacular scenery in Germany. Their natural beauty is enhanced by castles, churches, monasteries, and historic towns. Baden-Wurttemberg is also popular with tourists. Heidelberg, with its majestic castle ruin, is a must-see for most foreign visitors to Germany. Stuttgart, a major industrial city, is surprisingly beautiful and has several interesting museums and galleries. The Black Forest is the largest forested area in Germany, and contains many picture-perfect towns and valleys. It is hugely popular with hikers and cyclists. Baden-Baden is the most elegant town in Germany. The Bodensee (Lake Constance) is a popular holiday area, with the Swiss Alps providing a constant backdrop to the sights along the lake shore. In addition to picturesque villages, it has historically significant sights, including the historic old town of Konstanz and the Romanesque churches on the island of Reichenau.
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