Erfurt

Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia with nearly 200,000 inhabitants, stands as one of Germany's most historically significant cities. First mentioned in 742 when Saint Boniface founded the diocese, Erfurt evolved into a major economic center and member of the Hanseatic League, becoming renowned for its trade in woad, a plant used for blue dye.\n\nThe city's medieval center is among the best-preserved in Germany, dominated by the remarkable Cathedral Hill ensemble featuring Erfurt Cathedral and St. Severus Church. The Gothic cathedral houses the Gloriosa, the world's largest free-swinging medieval bell, and serves as the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erfurt.\n\nErfurt's most famous resident was Martin Luther, who studied law and philosophy at the University of Erfurt from 1501-1505. He later lived as a friar in St. Augustine's Monastery from 1505-1511 and was ordained in the cathedral on April 3, 1507. The city is considered Luther's spiritual home, where his theological development began.\n\nThe University of Erfurt, founded in 1379, was the first university established in what is now modern Germany and ranked among the most prestigious centers of learning in medieval Europe. Though closed in 1816, it was re-established in 1994.\n\nArchitectural highlights include the unique Krämerbrücke (Merchants' Bridge), the longest inhabited bridge in Europe, spanning the Gera River with shops and houses built directly on it. The city center features about 25 churches and monasteries, mostly Gothic, earning Erfurt the nickname "Thuringian Rome."\n\nThe Old Synagogue, dating to the 11th century, is the oldest preserved synagogue in Central Europe from basement to roof, showcasing Erfurt's significant Jewish heritage. This combination of medieval architecture, religious history, and educational tradition makes Erfurt a cultural treasure in the heart of Germany.