Cologne (in German, Köln)
Cologne (in German, Köln) is one of the most visited cities in Germany.
Its main attractions are Cologne Cathedral, the bridge, the Fish Market area, and St. Martin’s Church.
Dating back to the 12th century, it took almost 600 years to complete and, at one point, was the tallest building in Europe, standing 154 meters high. A Roman temple once stood on the site where the church now stands. In the early 12th century, a German emperor looted the bones of the three wise men in Milan and brought the remains to this location. For this reason, it became a pilgrimage destination.
During World War II, Cologne Cathedral was bombed 14 times and yet did not collapse.
The area along the river is called Fish Market. Next to it, we can see St. Martin’s Church.
Cochem Castle
One of the highlights of a trip to Germany is visiting its castles.
Surrounded by lush forests, rivers, and picturesque villages, they take us back to true fairy tales.
The charming village of Cochem is about an hour from Bonn and is crowned by a castle of the same name.
Eltz Castle
Eltz Castle is a real gem in the middle of the forest. You feel like you’re inside a storybook about medieval knights!
One way to get there is by taking a small trail through the woods, which adds even more charm to the outing.
Braunfels Castle
Braunfels Castle dominates the skyline of a small town of the same name.
Dating back to the 13th century, the castle served as a residence for princes. Its neo-Gothic architecture mixed with romanticism has even made it a setting for films.
Heidelberg
The charming city of Heidelberg has a special distinction: it was not affected by the bombings of World War II and is therefore well preserved.
It stretches along the Neckar River, a tributary of the Rhine, and has several alleys lined with bars, restaurants, and shops.
Fussen
The village of Füssen is the starting point for visiting the castles of the Königsschlösser (King’s Castles) complex, which includes Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle. However, Füssen itself is already a beautiful tourist attraction.
In Fussen, you can take King Ludwig’s romantic walk. It is a small road that runs alongside Lake Forgessee. The lake, on the other hand, may be dry or full, depending on the time of year. It is usually full during the thawing periods.
Konigsschlossel
The Konigsschlossel complex includes the castles of Honenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.
It is a place that definitely cannot be missed on a trip to Germany.
I recommend taking a guided tour of both castles.
Honenschwangau
Hohenschwangau was built by Maximilian II, King of Germany. Richard Wagner also gave performances at this castle. Its exterior is yellowish, and its interior is richly decorated.
Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein Castle was built in 1868 by Ludwig II (son of Maximilian II), inspired by the work of Richard Wagner.
The architectural style of this castle influenced the construction of the “Sleeping Beauty Castle,” symbol of Disney Studios.
In reality, Ludwig II barely lived in the castle, staying there for only 170 days. In 1886, while at the castle, he was declared insane and imprisoned there. He was later taken to Berg and found dead, drowned in the shallow waters of Lake Starnberger.
Neuschwanstein was designed by Christian Jank, a theater set designer. The name Neuschwanstein means “the Castle of the Swan Knight.” It is worth remembering that Ludwig II was also known as the “Swan King” because he was a lover of the arts and music, encouraging their production (source: Wikipedia).
The castle also includes the Singers’ Hall and a room designed to resemble a cave (Venus’s cave), reminiscent of the setting of Wagner’s opera “Lohengrin.” However, the king died before attending a performance there. On the other hand, music festivals are still held in that hall today.
It is also worth walking to the Maria of Prussia Bridge, which spans a gorge and offers a beautiful view.
Eisenach
The town of Eisenach is the birthplace of composer Johann Sebastian Bach, making it a must-see for fans on a trip to Germany.
There, you can visit the house where Johann Sebastian Bach was born, which now houses a museum.
Dresden
Dresden is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany.
Its heart is Theaterplatz square, home to the Semperoper (Germany’s most famous opera house), the Old Masters Picture Gallery (Zwinger – Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister), Dresden Castle (Residenzschloss), and other historic buildings.
Eberswalde
The city of Eberswalde is not usually included in itineraries in Germany, but it is the birthplace of my husband’s ancestors, and he always wanted to visit the land of his grandparents. There is a main square there, with a church.
Berlin
The capital Berlin is usually the highlight of any trip to Germany. In fact, of all European cities, Berlin is perhaps the one that boasts the greatest contrast between the old and the new, between history and technology. With a painful past, its future is more than promising.
Berlin Wall
The most interesting attraction in the city is the iconic Berlin Wall. As we know, it surrounded the whole of West Berlin, separating it from East Berlin.
Thus, the city of Berlin was divided in half, with the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) on one side, which was capitalist and aligned with the United States, and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) on the other, which was socialist and aligned with the Soviet Union.
The wall was the greatest symbol of the Cold War, and its fall in 1989 symbolized the end of that dark era.
The wall is quite extensive and has become an open-air gallery, with the most interesting part being the East Side Gallery.
Alexander Platz
Another important spot in Berlin is Alexanderplatz, home to the famous TV Tower, one of the city’s landmarks.
The Berlin Cathedral is also located in the vicinity of this square.
Brandenburg Gate and surrounding area
In Berlin, we cannot fail to mention the famous Brandenburg Gate and the German Parliament.
Not far from the Brandenburg Gate is the open-air Holocaust Memorial.
Museum Island
Museum Island is one of Berlin’s most charming areas and home to the Humboldt Forum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, and other important museums.
The Humboldt Forum, also known as the Berlin Palace, houses a large museum.
The Alte Nationalgalerie hosts temporary exhibitions of modern art.
Marienburg Castle
Marienburg Castle is located on the outskirts of Hanover and looks like something straight out of a fairy tale book!
The castle was built between 1858 and 1867 as a birthday present from George V of Hanover to his wife Maria of Saxe-Altenburg and served as a summer residence.