Thuringia Land

Thurinigians were the first people inhabited the land between Bavaria and Saxony. They settled in relatively large territory just after 350 AD and were inevitably involved in German Wars dedicated to capture and divide the German territory.

The Emperor Charlemagne was the person who established the definite separate land called after its inhabitants. Thus, Thuringia included the fertile land between Bavaria and Saxony lands. Of course, Saxon royal family could not help but capture the territory and made Thuringia the part of its land.

During the centuries the prosperous land with developed agriculture was divided and captured. Due to Thuringian military history its citizens managed to develop the spirit of freedom and desire to be independent for the future.

Thus, it was logically and explicable for Thuringia history to convert Weimar into the center of the first Democratic Republic of Germany - Weimar Republic. Although the Weimar Republic did not last long the spirit of freedom and democracy had bred the willingness to defend the Land. Weimar was the capital of Thuringia till the World War II and the Soviet occupation. The Soviet German Democratic Republic annexed Thuringia and made Erfurt the capital of the new Administrative region.

Now Thuringia remained its capital, Erfurt, and also comprises such historical cities as Weimar, Wartburg and Eisenach. Besides, Thuringia has more than ten other cities with small regions around them.

Erfurt can be titled as the center of Medieval history and architecture with significance equivalent to the history of whole German and Europe. Erfurt remains tens of medieval edifices presenting different architectural styles and can be named as the remnant of important historical events of the German history.

Erfurt the Middle Ages numerous sights remained well due to the fact that the city was not destroyed during the World War II. You can easily deepen into the medieval era while walking along Kirchgasse, Domplatz and Kramerstrasse. The city hall, Petersburg Citadel – the well-preserved Baroque fortress – and numerous medieval timbered houses will carry you away to the gloomy, martial but so mysterious Middle Ages and ancient Germany…

Related links:

Thuringia sights photo galley

Thuringia regions guide

Erfurt photo gallery