Magdeburg, Germany is one of the greenest cities in the country. Unfortunately, only a few really valuable historical sights have been preserved, of which there used to be a lot. Today, Magdeburg is known as a city of parks and futuristic buildings.
General information
Magdeburg is a city in central Germany, the capital of Saxony. It covers an area of 201 square meters. m. Population – 238 thousand people. It stands on the river Elba. Magdeburg is divided into 40 urban areas.
The first information about the city as a trading place dates back to 805. The heyday of the city occurred after the construction of the Benedictine monastery in 937.
In world history, Magdeburg is known as a place in which in the 13th century one of the most famous systems of city law – Magdeburg Law. The princes and kings who granted this right to a number of cities gave them the right to self-government, and hence freedom. Magdeburg Law was especially popular in the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Today, Magdeburg is very different from Magdeburg 1800 or 1900. Unlike other German cities, he was unable to preserve his rich historical heritage, and is known, for the most part, by large green parks and modern business centers.
sights
Despite the rich and interesting history, the city did not have a large number of ancient buildings – most were destroyed during the Second World War.
The Green Citadel is the main architectural symbol of the city of Magdeburg in Germany. The building was erected in 2005 according to the project of the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (he is very popular in Western Europe). The Citadel is located near Cathedral Square in the heart of Magdeburg. It is impossible to pass by this building – against the background of red-brick and concrete buildings, a bright pink structure in a gray strip stands out strongly.
On the ground floor of the citadel there are several cafes and restaurants, there is a shop. On the second and third floors there is a hotel (42 rooms), a small theater, a kindergarten and several offices. The upper floors are adapted for apartments (55).
All interior spaces are also decorated in an interesting and, in some places, fanciful. For example, in all apartments (they, by the way, have a round shape), you can see “puffed” pillars, bright mosaics on the walls and unusual “painted” bathtubs. The interiors of the cafe and restaurant will also surprise: the painted walls in the toilet are combined with oriental carpets and huge crystal chandeliers.
In the courtyard you can see no less bizarre designs: curved pillars that support the citadel, a mosaic fountain and stone paths that seem to flow down from the top of the building. On the four towers that are at the top of the complex, trees and flowers grow (hence the name of the building).
Interestingly, the Magdeburg authorities are not going to paint or repair this house anymore. According to the artist’s plan, he should naturally grow old, and, gradually, from a bright and modern building, turn into a more “refined” and “seasoned”.
Location: Breiter Weg 10A, 39104 Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
Elbaouenpark (140 hectares) is the main resting place for both local residents and visitors. Located in the north-east of the city, near the Elbe River.
It is interesting that 20 years ago there was a large dump on this place, but local residents, in anticipation of the Federal Exhibition in Magdeburg, decided to improve the appearance of the city by creating a large park in this place, which has:
- Butterfly House. This is a small greenhouse in which about 200 species of butterflies from around the world live. There are both small species and those butterflies whose sizes are larger than the human palm.
- Exhibition pavilions. They have both temporary and permanent exhibitions.
- Monorail.
- Hundreds of beautiful flower beds, as well as about 1000 species of flowers and trees.
- Concert hall.
- Green labyrinths in which it is easy to get lost.
- Rock climbing tower. Its height is 25 meters.
- The Millennium Tower (as well as the Peace Tower or “Millennium”) is a wooden building, the height of which reaches 60 meters. This is the third tallest wooden building in the world. There is a museum on six floors, where you can learn everything about the history of human development. There are exhibits from the Paleolithic era, as well as modern technical innovations. The museum is allowed to touch everything and even conduct their own experiments. You can also look at the stars through a powerful telescope, which is located on the 6th floor.
It is worth saying that it is thanks to the futuristic sculptures and the Millennium Tower that the park looks very modern and unusual. This is especially true of the dark: the construction of the building is brightly illuminated by LED flashlights and decorates the city.
As for infrastructure, the park has a bistro, 2 cafes and a beer garden. A few km from Elbauenpark, a number of modern hotels were built, which are very popular.
- Location: Tessenowstr. 5a, 39114 Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
- Opening hours (Elbauenpark): 10.00 – 18.00.
- Opening hours of the Millennium Tower: 10.00 – 18.00 (does not work in winter).
- Cost: 3 euros.
Magdeburg Cathedral is the oldest Gothic cathedral in Germany, built in the 13th century. Like all temples built at that time, it is distinguished by lancet arches, large window stained-glass windows and ivory walls. Interestingly, also in the cathedral there are many antique columns and “heavy” sculptures (this is very rare for European architecture of the 13-14th century).
Many tourists note that, in their opinion, one can see some of the most beautiful frescoes in Germany in the cathedral. The main value of the temple are sculptures of the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Otto the Great (he is buried right there) and his wife.
- Where to find: Am Dom 1, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany.
- Opening hours: 10.00 – 18.00.
The Monastery of Our Lady is one of the largest and oldest representatives of the Romanesque architecture of Magdeburg. Located in the city center. The monastery (it belonged to premonstrants) was erected in 1017, and since 1976 the museum has been located here.
In the former monastery you can see:
- a collection of small plastics (the basis of the exposition);
- ancient sculptures;
- relics of various German temples;
- monastery library (about 3000 scientific and fiction books).
There is also a sculpture park near the museum.
- Address: Regierungsstr. 4-6, 39104 Magdeburg.
- Open: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Cost: 4 euros.
The Old Market is a district of the city located in the heart of Magdeburg. Here are the main historical attractions:
- Town Hall After granting Magdeburg law to the city, the Town Hall was erected here, which, after frequent fires and wars, had to be rebuilt in the 1960s.
- Monument to the Magdeburg Horseman. It is considered the first separate sculpture to be installed in Germany.
- The Ulenspiegel Fountain is dedicated to an old storyteller who once lived in Magdeburg.
- Monument to Otto von Guericke. This man was not only the burgomaster of Magdeburg, but also an outstanding scientist (he invented the vacuum).
- Braitestrasse is an old German street, where today you can see a number of houses in the Baroque style.
St. John’s Church is an important historical landmark of Magdeburg in Germany, built in the Romanesque style. During the Middle Ages, the temple survived 2 fires, so throughout history it has changed its appearance more than once. Today, the Church of St. Johann is no longer used for its intended purpose.
You can get to the attraction by buying a ticket for an organ concert or exhibition. They pass regularly, 2-3 times a week.
Location: Germany, Sachsen-Anhalt, Magdeburg, Neustadter Strase, 4.
Where to stay
There are a little less than 60 hotels in Magdeburg in Germany, so accommodation must be booked at least one month before the date of arrival.
The average price for a double room in the high season at the 3 * hotel varies from 60 to 80 euros per day. This price includes free WiFi, parking, breakfast (European or continental) and all the necessary household appliances in the room.
The cost of an apartment for two in high season in Magdeburg (near the sights) will cost 40-50 euros per day. This price also includes household appliances, kitchen utensils and essentials.
Magdeburg is a fairly large city, therefore it is better to book a hotel or apartment in the center – it’s closer to the sights of Magdeburg and there will be no problems getting from the station to rented accommodation.
Transport connection
If you look at the location of the city of Magdeburg on a map of Germany, it will become obvious that it is located in a very favorable and convenient location. The closest major cities to Magdeburg are: Braunschweig (89 km), Hanover (131 km), Berlin (128 km), Halle (86 km).
The closest major airports to Magdeburg are:
- Kochstedt (CSO) – Kochstedt, Germany (47 km);
- Braunschweig (BWE) – Braunschweig, Germany (93 km).
Getting to Berlin, which is less than 130 km from Magdeburg, is easy. You can do this at:
- The train. You need to catch a train heading south-west (Berlin, Magdeburg, Braunschweig, Wolfsburg) at the Berlin Central Station. Trains run every 40-50 minutes. You can go either by direct train or with transfers in Stendal. The fastest and most convenient are high-speed double-decker trains Regional-Express (RE). Travel time is 1 hour 30 minutes. Cost – 22-35 euros (there are economy and business class tickets). Tickets are purchased either online (www.bahn.de) or at the box office of the train station.
- The bus. There are hardly any problems with the bus, like with the train. Landing is carried out at the Berlin central bus station. Travel time is 1 hour 45 minutes. You can get either on the state bus number 164 (runs 2 times a day) or on the bus carrier Flixbus (runs 3 times a day). The cost varies from 7 to 20 euros, and depends on the class of the place and time of the trip. Tickets can be purchased online on the carrier’s website: www.flixbus.de or at the box office.
Interesting Facts
- The longest water bridge in Europe is located in Magdeburg. It crosses the Elba River, and its length is just over 918 m.
- The first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Otto I, is buried in the Gothic Magdeburg Cathedral.
- Magdeburg was the first in the world to receive the right to self-government (Magdeburg Law). It happened in the 13th century.
- The first Gothic temple in Germany, the Magdeburg Cathedral, was erected in Magdeburg.
- Magdeburg is second in the list of the greenest cities in the country.
Magdeburg, Germany is a modern German city, which is very different from the usual small and cozy medieval towns of the central part of the country. It is worth going here for those who do not chase historical sights, but love futuristic buildings and nature.
Magdeburg Hemispheres and other interesting facts about the city:
