Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to live in the Middle Ages?
Well, I do.
And that's why I'm in Erfurt today. The old town here is typically medieval.
Erfurt is the state capital of Thuringia and lies right in the middle of Germany,
about halfway between Berlin and Munich.
In the Middle Ages, several trade routes crossed here, making Erfurt a rich and powerful city.
You can still see that in the old town today. There are many beautiful buildings,
but there's one place in particular that's known far beyond Erfurt.
As a tourist in Erfurt, this is the first place I must see: the Krämerbrücke.
The Krämerbrücke or Merchant's Bridge is old: it has spanned this river, the Gera, for almost 900 years.
And: The bridge is lined with houses. Something like this is rare.
From this angle, you can clearly see it's a bridge.
From above, the Krämerbrücke looks just like any street in the old town.
This spot is a major draw for tourists, though many don't take the time to stop by the small shops,
cafe's and studios. That's a shame because they're such a large part of the Krämerbrücke's charm.
As in the Middle Ages, the shopkeepers sell their products here, for example small, fine
goods such as spices, fabrics, paints and books.
There is one thing I can really appreciate while strolling across the Krämerbrücke:
In other cities, there are like a hundred souvenir shops in a place like this, but not here.
I stop by Britta Schatton's gallery.
She works with textile art.
At first glance, many of her works look more like paintings. But a closer look reveals
that they're actually collages of different textiles: merino wool, silk and other fabrics, as she explains.
The houses on the Krämerbrücke are coveted.
In order to be able to move in here, you have to present a good concept.
The Krämerbrücke has undergone many changes over time.
It burned down and was re-built. Houses were merged.
There used to be a church at either end of the bridge.
But only one has survived: St. Giles Church.
I recommend climbing the tower, like I do. The way up is an experience in itself!
It's 128 steps to the top. And how’s that for a view?!
That's Krämerbrücke from above.
Up here, I can see that Erfurt has a lot of churches. There, there, and there.
There's another one, and there!
Towering above the old town is cathedral hill. There are two churches there:
the church of St. Severus on the right and Erfurt Cathedral on the left.
As only to be expected, the architecture is Gothic, the epitome of the Middle Ages.
I take a look inside the cathedral.
Generations of architects have left their mark on the cathedral since the initial construction
was started in the 8th century.
On the cathedral square, traders offer their goods here much like they did in the Middle Ages.
The market is open every day except Sunday.
And, of course, you can get the famous Thuringian Bratwurst here, straight from the grill onto a roll.
I am a little disappointed. No Bratwurst for Lukas! But maybe I'll have better luck in the old town.
You can easily explore Erfurt's old town on foot past large, magnificent town houses.
You'll also find a lot of half-timbered houses and cobblestones.
It's fun to just wander around... At every turn, you find romantic alleyways.
I can hardly believe this is a city of over 200-thousand people.
Wealthy people lived here you can tell by the ornate portals.
They date back to the Renaissance, but the houses behind them are much older.
This one here, for example, is a walk-in monument: a residential and commercial building from
the Middle Ages, around the 13th century.
It's named the House of the "Güldenen Krönbacken.”
These days, we don't know exactly what that means, but it sounds kind of interesting.
You'll find many other house names like it in the old town.
“Zum Schwarzen Rade” – the Black Wheel…
The White Lily…
the Black Horn…
the Red Ox…
…the Iron Hat, and so on!
Zum Goldenen Schwan – the Golden Swan. Well, sometimes, these names sound a bit strange today,
but in the Middle Ages, that was normal. These were like the house numbers.
My quest for a vegetarian bratwurst is not over yet! I got a tip that I should try the bistro Green Republic.
I have no clue how the traditional Bratwurst tastes, but this one's really good.
The golden rule for Erfurt's old town is that nothing is ever more than a 15-minute walk away.
And sooner or later, you always come back to the Krämerbrücke.
In the late afternoon, the bridge quiets down. The tourist crowds thin out, and there's time
to enjoy the atmosphere in peace.
I'd like to know what it's like to live in a house on the Krämerbrücke.
I'll just try my luck.
Sybille has been selling antiques on the Krämerbrücke for 20 years.
She's easy to talk to and she lives right on the bridge.
On warm summer evenings, the people of Erfurt meet on the Krämerbrücke and soak in the atmosphere.
You could join them and imagine for a moment what it must've been like in the Middle Ages.
That was my trip to medieval Erfurt. I hope you like it. Please subscribe to our channel, DW Travel.
Bye, bye. See you next time.