Everyone has heard of Magdeburg, even those who do not know what country it is in. First of all, thanks to the Magdeburg Law - the autonomy that individual cities received, and which was named after the laws formed in Magdeburg in the 13th century.
Magdeburg is also known as the birthplace of the German physicist, engineer and philosopher Otto von Guericke. In 1650, he invented vacuum pumping of air, which is now used at every turn. And in 1654 he conducted the famous experiment with the Magdeburg Hemispheres, about which many have read in physics textbooks. Two copper hemispheres were connected and air was evacuated from them. Eight horses on each side failed to break the hemispheres, and thus the existence of atmospheric pressure was proved. The city has monuments to the scientist, and everywhere you can find hemispheres, such symbols of the city. The original ones are kept in the Deutsches Museum in Munich.
Emperor Otto I the Great is also associated with the city, who chose it as his residence and founded a Benedictine monastery in 937.
The city was completely destroyed in 1945, only Dresden suffered more than it. Most of the buildings in the center were built during the GDR, and the "Soviet" trace is well traced in them.
Some large historical buildings have survived, although they were badly damaged. Today cathedrals and churches are the only islands of history in the old city.
However, many Soviet-era buildings are undergoing renovation. The updated facades look much better.
The task to build a magnificent Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Maurice and St. Catherine) was given by Otto I the Great in 955. Here he married his wife and soon died. His tomb is located in the cathedral. In 1207 the original building was destroyed by fire and in 1209 construction began on a new Gothic cathedral. There is an observation deck at the top, but you can only get there as part of an organized excursion, which takes place a couple of times a day.
St. John's Church (941) is the oldest in the city. The western part and the Gothic back church have been preserved since that time. Once upon a time Martin Luther preached here. There is an observation deck upstairs.
On the way to the station there is a monument to Igor Belikov. At the time, he was a Soviet soldier and served in a nearby town. On the morning of March 13, 1969, Belikov arrived in Magdeburg and, walking through the empty streets, saw a little girl who had almost fallen out of the 6th floor window. Having reached the house, he managed to catch her in his greatcoat. Now Igor Belikov lives in Lugansk and is an honorary resident of Magdeburg, keeps in touch with Katherine, who is now 48 years old (2013).
If you cross the Elbe over the bridge, you can look at the old city from a new angle.
Drone photo
The Hubbrücke bridge was abandoned a few years ago, but now you can walk on it.
In recent years, a new, modern area has appeared near the bridge. Magdeburg is under construction very actively.
Here you will notice a huge graffiti that depicts the Elbe River and all the cities through which it flows.
An interesting monument with clocks showing the time in different cities of the world.
The city has a new landmark built in 2005 - the Green Citadel by architect Hundertwasser, about her.
More photos of Magdeburg
Magdeburg is a famous city located on the territory of the former GDR. This city has a rich history associated with international wars and religions. Architectural monuments such as the Imperial Cathedral, famous for its grandeur, the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, testify to the pre-existing wealth of the imperial city.
Geographical location of Magdeburg
Magdeburg is the capital of the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt, characterized by its greenery and twenty picturesque parks.
Climate of Magdeburg
The climate in these places is continental and temperate. The weather is no different from the rest of central Germany. The average temperature here in summer is + 220C, and in winter it is zero temperature.
Historical background about Magdeburg
For the first time, references to Magdeburg in historical references are found in 805. Here the city passes as a trade point. A Benedictine monastery was founded here by Emperor Otto I in 937. Adalbert-Vojtech studied at the Macdeburg Cathedral School for ten years (970-980) under the guidance of Adalbert Magdeburg.
In the 11th century (1013) the city was destroyed by the Polish king Boleslav I the Brave. Thanks to its participation in the Schmalkalden League, Magdeburg underwent siege by the troops of Moritz of Saxony for ten months (October 1550 - August 1551), and in the end was forced to accept the enemy's garrison.
During the Thirty Years War, Magdeburg was besieged by Wallestein's troops for seven months (1629). And only in 1631, the troops of the imperial commander Tilly were able to take the city by storm. Having burst into the city, the imperials rampaged, exterminated the townspeople. As a result, Magdeburg turned into a heap of ash.
An important role in the development of the city was played by its religious life. So, after the city was founded in 968, the Magdeburg Archbishopric was formed, whose representatives constantly fought with the neighbors of the Slavs and Brandenburg Margraves.
Already at the end of the 15th century, the archbishop's area had two parts, which were divided by the possessions of Anhalt, and had a total area of 5.4 thousand square meters. km. By the 16th century, the office of archbishop was elective. A similar system of appointment also applied to Magdeburg administrators. As a duchy, the Magdeburg Archdiocese was annexed in 1648 to Brandenburg, which received full power only in 1680.
In the 19th century (1806), the city was again sieged now by the French corps of Ney. At the same time, two sieges were unsuccessful, and on the third Magdeburg was forced to surrender. The city occupied by the French was attacked by the Prussian and then Russian troops. The blockade was lifted only after the conclusion of an armistice.
In 1814 Magdeburg was again blockaded, but was cleared only in May by the French after receiving news of the capture of Paris.
During the Second World War, the city already had 350 thousand inhabitants. During this period, it suffered greatly from the Allied bombing, due to which the northern outskirts of Magdeburg were almost completely destroyed.
After the war, the buildings that survived the bombing were dismantled, and only a few buildings near the Cathedral could survive in their pre-war state. Before the unification of Germany (1990), Magdeburg was the center of the district of the same name and was located on the territory of the GDR. In the future, the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt is formed, the capital of which becomes Magdeburg. At the same time, the city center is being formed only in a modern style.
In 1994 Magdeburg becomes seat of a diocese.
Attractions Magdeburg
In Magdeburg, initially there was a division into two parts: "spiritual" and "secular". The same division has survived to this day. In the "secular" is the Market Square with an early Baroque town hall on two floors, dating back to the 17th century. Directly in front of the Town Hall, under the stone canopy itself, stands the guardian of the city - Roland.
Back in the Middle Ages, it was customary to install on the main square a statue of the European hero-knight Roland, who was called upon to protect the city from wars or plague. Roland was also considered to be a symbol of the city's justice. Roland's sculpture in Magdeburg is dated 1240.
In the southern part of the city there is a “monastery” part, which is represented by the presence of the Cathedral and the Monastery of St. Mary, which are the pearl of German Romanesque. These complexes date back to the construction of the 11th - 13th centuries and constitute a significant part of the German route for tourists called "Route of Romanesque". Both the Cathedral and the monastery are famous for their organ concerts. The exclusivity of the Cathedral is represented by its rich interior decoration - a carved oak choir and sculptural decoration of the cathedral's portals.
On a peninsula between the old and the new Elbe, opposite the Old Town, lies the beautiful Rotehorn City Park, created at the end of the 19th century.
Excursions in Magdeburg
City tours will give you a huge amount of impressions. A Gothic cathedral, which is central in Germany, was erected here, and the rather old Hanseatic city of Stendal is also well preserved. There are other buildings in Magdeburg that attract the interest of tourists.
Wonderful places for tourists to visit are located directly in the city itself. So, right on the rocks Domfelsen (translated as "cathedral rocks") is the oldest building in the city, founded by Emperor Otto - the Cathedral of St. Catherine and Mauritius. Once the cathedral together with the Kaiserpatz square was the center of the "Third Rome".
The Historical and Cultural Museum keeps a collection of handicrafts and art. This collection contains over 40 thousand archaeological finds and values of the Middle Ages, 10 thousand exhibits from the history of the city, over 11 thousand medals and coins, about one and a half thousand items from a military theme, 800 exhibits of furniture, over a thousand paintings, etc. Visiting the museum is allowed on any day except Monday.
The Technical Museum houses exhibits that tell about the economic and social history of Magdeburg. The working hours are the same as those of the Historical and Cultural Museum.
Another rather interesting museum is located on the Württemberg steamer, which anchored near the Rotehorn Island after its last voyage along the Elbe (1974). In such a museum, you can see the interior of a steamer, as well as admire an exhibition on navigation on the Elbe.
The Museum of Art houses a permanent exhibition covering exhibits from ancient times to the Art Nouveau era. Visitors can also see 20th century sculpture and other contemporary art.
In the Elbauenpark, there is a 60 m high Millennium Tower called Yartausendturm. It is the tallest wooden structure in Germany and contains five exhibition halls that display the pyramids from Giza, the ancient Roman road, the medieval jib crane, fiberglass optical sensors and Newton's mirror telescope. A visit to the museum is available from April to October, closed on Monday.
The Museum of Art, located in the monastery of St. Virgin Mary, houses the famous exhibition hall of modern art from Saxony-Anhalt. Here are the works of Anselmo, Castellani, Zorio, Brelo, Holzner and Ikemur.
Places for entertainment and shopping in Magdeburg
The main places for shoring are the main shopping alleys (Breiter Veg, Ernst Reuter Alee) and shopping arcades located on Halbersteter Straße and the Sudenburg quarter.
How to get to Magdeburg
There is an airport in Magdeburg that receives both domestic and international flights. Leipzig airport is located just a hundred kilometers from the city. Also Magdeburg, thanks to the federal highways and the railway, has a connection with the outside world.
Conclusion
Thus, Magdeburg is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Saxony-Anhalt, located on the Elbe River and has a rich history and cultural and architectural heritage. This city was considered to be one of the most important cities of the Middle Ages.
Holidays in Magdeburg provide an excellent opportunity to feel the unique atmosphere of opposites that prevails in the city. At the same time, cultural and historical sights in all their glory will appear before the guests.
The most interesting sights of Magdeburg.
Cathedral of St. Catherine and Mauritius is one of the symbols of Magdeburg, a grandiose medieval Gothic cathedral. This is one of the largest sacred buildings in Germany and one of the oldest masterpieces of the Gothic style. The founding of the cathedral dates back to the 10th century, when Emperor Otto founded a Benedictine monastery here. The first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire brought many ancient relics from Northern Italy to the cathedral. Otto I was buried here in a stone sarcophagus. At the beginning of the 13th century, the church was badly damaged by a massive fire. In the 13-14th century, the building was significantly rebuilt in the Gothic style and received high 100-meter towers. Inside you can see old Romanesque gravestones, early Gothic sculptures. The church is currently Protestant.
The Monastery of Our Lady is an ancient monastery founded in the 11th century. It is part of the "Romanesque road". In the Middle Ages, the monastery belonged to the Norbertine order. Currently, it houses a museum that contains historical exhibitions from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Church of st. John is an old church founded in the first half of the 12th century. In 1131, the first three-nave Romanesque basilica was built, later rebuilt after several fires. There is an observation deck on the south tower. To climb to a height of 52 meters and enjoy the view of Magdeburg, you need to climb more than 270 steps.
The Town Hall is a historic building in the old town. The first building of the town hall was built in the 12th century. After the Thirty Years War, the town hall was almost completely destroyed. The new building was built in the style of the Italian and Dutch Renaissance and was significantly rebuilt in the 19th century.
The Green Citadel is a striking landmark of Magdeburg, an ensemble of baroque facades in a modern style. The complex was built in the early 2000s. There are restaurants, cafes, shops and a small hotel here.
To the south of the bridge over the Elbe and not far from the cathedral, you can find the remains of an old medieval fortress with two towers. The fortifications date back to the 15th century. The oldest surviving residential building is also located here.
Magdeburg is one of the greenest cities in Europe. Rotehorn City Park is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany and the green heart of the city. Situated in a picturesque place on an island in the middle of the Elbe. It is a favorite place for residents and tourists.
Magdeburg from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Magdeburg.
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Even those who do not know in which country it is have heard about Magdeburg. Magdeburg Law - the right of individual cities to autonomy - is heard by many, but the city is famous not only for this. In the past, it was a famous commercial and imperial city, from whose former luxury remained the Imperial Cathedral, the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary and other ancient architectural monuments. Modern Magdeburg is a very nice and green city, there are more than 20 parks, one of which - Herrenkrug - has been preserved from the 17th century.
One of the brightest and most popular city events is the city festival, or the Night of the Burning of the Idol, which takes place on Easter night, and many tourists come here precisely for this event.
How to get to Magdeburg
Magdeburg has its own airport, which accepts both domestic and international flights. Leipzig airport is also located 100 km from the city. Magdeburg is connected to the outside world via the federal highways A2 and A14 and by rail.
Search for flights to Berlin (closest airport to Magdeburg)
Shopping: shops
The city's main shopping alleys are Breiter Weg, Ernst-Reuter-Allee, as well as shopping arcades on Halberstädter Strase and in the Sudenburg quarter.
Guides in Magdeburg
Popular hotels in Magdeburg
Entertainment and sights of Magdeburg
Dom St. Katharina und Mauritius (Dom St. Katharina und Mauritius), founded by Emperor Otto I, is the oldest building in the city on the Domfelsen cliffs. Together with the Kaiserplatz (Kaiserpfalz, Imperial Square), the cathedral was once the center of the so-called Third Rome.
The Convent of the Virgin Mary (Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen) is one of the main reasons why Magdeburg is called the pearl of the "Romanesque Route" (Straße der Romanik). The northern part of the monastery borders on Domplatz (Cathedral Square).
In front of the Town Hall (Rathaus) on the Alter Markt (Old Market) there is a copy of the famous Magdeburger Reiter monument. The original is in the Kulturhistorischen Museum, which is described below.
Magdeburg museums
The Historical and Cultural Museum (Kulturhistorisches Museum) houses a collection of art and craft items: 40,000 archaeological finds and medieval values, 10,000 exhibits about the history of the city, more than 11,000 coins and medals, 1,400 items on military subjects, 800 pieces of furniture, about 1,100 paintings, etc. Working hours: Mon day off, excursions by agreement.
The Technical Museum (Technikmuseum) contains exhibits that tell about the economic and social history of the city. Opening hours: Mon day off, excursions by agreement.
Magdeburg and surroundings
The steamer Württemberg, after her last voyage on the Elbe in 1974, anchored for a long time off the island of Rotehorn. Now it functions as a museum (Museumsschiff), where you can see its interior, an exhibition about navigation on the Elbe.
The permanent exhibition of the Museum of Art (Kunstmuseum) covers works from ancient times to the Art Nouveau era, German sculpture of the 20th century, as well as contemporary art.
The Jahrtausendturm Tower (Millennium Tower, 60 m), which is located in the Elbauenpark, is the tallest wooden building in Germany. Here, in five exhibition halls, you can see: the pyramids from Giza, an ancient Roman road, a medieval slewing crane, Newton's mirror telescope and fiberglass optical sensors. Working hours: from April to October, closed on Mondays.
The Museum of Art in the Convent of St. Virgin Mary is the most important exhibition hall for contemporary art in Saxony-Anhalt. The collection includes works by Castellani, Anselmo, Zorio, Holzner, Brelo and Ikemura. Opening hours: Mon day off, excursions by agreement.
As a rule, tourists get to the city from Berlin airport by bus, to the train station and then 2 hours by train. Leipzig airport is also located 100 km from the city. Magdeburg is connected to the outside world via the federal highways A2 and A14 and by rail.
Shopping
The city's main shopping alleys are Breiter Weg, Ernst-Reuter-Allee, as well as shopping arcades on Halberstädter Strase and in the Sudenburg quarter.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Magdeburg
Dom St. Katharina und Mauritius (Dom St. Katharina und Mauritius), founded by Emperor Otto I, is the oldest building in the city on the Domfelsen cliffs. Together with the Kaiserplatz (Kaiserpfalz, Imperial Square), the cathedral was once the center of the so-called Third Rome.
The Convent of the Virgin Mary (Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen) is one of the main reasons why Magdeburg is called the pearl of the "Romanesque Route" (Straße der Romanik). The northern part of the monastery borders on Domplatz (Cathedral Square).
In front of the Town Hall (Rathaus) on the Alter Markt (Old Market) there is a copy of the famous Magdeburger Reiter monument. The original is in the Kulturhistorischen Museum.
Magdeburg museums
The Historical and Cultural Museum (Kulturhistorisches Museum) houses a collection of art and craft items: 40,000 archaeological finds and medieval values, 10,000 exhibits about the history of the city, more than 11,000 coins and medals, 1,400 items on military subjects, 800 pieces of furniture, about 1,100 paintings, etc. Working hours: Mon day off, excursions by agreement.
The Technical Museum (Technikmuseum) contains exhibits that tell about the economic and social history of the city. Opening hours: Mon day off, excursions by agreement.
The steamer Württemberg, after her last voyage on the Elbe in 1974, anchored for a long time off the island of Rotehorn. Now it functions as a museum (Museumsschiff), where you can see its interior, an exhibition about navigation on the Elbe.
The permanent exhibition of the Museum of Art (Kunstmuseum) covers works from ancient times to the Art Nouveau era, German sculpture of the 20th century, as well as contemporary art.
The Jahrtausendturm Tower (Millennium Tower, 60 m), which is located in the Elbauenpark, is the tallest wooden building in Germany. Here, in five exhibition halls, you can see: the pyramids from Giza, an ancient Roman road, a medieval slewing crane, Newton's mirror telescope and fiberglass optical sensors. Working hours: from April to October, closed on Mondays.
The Museum of Art in the Convent of St. Virgin Mary is the most important exhibition hall for contemporary art in Saxony-Anhalt. The collection includes works by Castellani, Anselmo, Zorio, Holzner, Brelo and Ikemura. Opening hours: Mon day off, excursions by agreement.
Best time to visit
In spring or summer, so that the city has time to shine in front of you with the freshness of green spaces.
What to see
- The Green Citadel of Magdeburg is a stunning pink residential building designed by Austrian master Friedensreich Hundertwasser shortly before his death in 2000.
- The exhibition in Lukasklause is dedicated to the life of the scientist Otto von Guericke, who spent the 17th century. experiments proving the existence of a vacuum.
- The old town hall, erected in the 17th century, regained its splendor after restoration and is now open to visitors.
- St. John's Church - it was here in 1524 that the Protestant reformer Martin Luther preached.
- A new city landmark, the Millennium Tower, is located next to Elbauen Park.
- The channel of the Elbe has connected the canal system of Hanover, Magdeburg and Berlin, do not miss this trip!
Magdeburg was once rebuilt from scratch, it was razed to the ground in 1631 during the Thirty Years War.
Few today can deny that Magdeburg is a city of contrasts and incredible power of attraction. Here the history of the empire and the period of socialist transformations merged together.
Traces of the bombing of the Second World War and the typical style of socialist architecture - wide boulevards and prefabricated reinforced concrete residential buildings, the so-called Plattenbauten, will forever remain in the appearance of the city, in its history. However, it is one of the oldest cities in Germany, founded almost 1200 years ago and home to the first Gothic cathedral on German soil.
The main historical attraction of Magdeburg. Anyone who sees this architectural wonder will be amazed at the grandeur of its two hundred-meter towers. This architectural monument has its roots in 937, when King Otto I founded a Benedictine monastery on this land. After a fire that destroyed the original cathedral, it was only a couple of centuries later that it was rebuilt as a Gothic three-level basilica with a transept, choir and gabled windows.
In total, it took 300 years for the Magdeburg Cathedral to acquire the look that residents and guests of the city see today. This is the burial place of Otto I and his English wife Edita. The cathedral's artistic value is also great; here you can find many works of art, ranging from exquisite sculptures of Magdeburg virgins from the 13th century to the anti-war memorial of Ernst Barlach.
Location: Am Dom - 1.
Harmoniously spread among meadows, lies on the eastern bank of the Elbe Elbauenpark - a green paradise. The former military-industrial area has been transformed into a unique, flourishing natural park. He appeared for the 25th Anniversary Federal Garden Show in 1999. Today this unique "cultural landscape", which is one of the most important attractions of Magdeburg.
Elbauenpark is filled with blooming roses, places for sports and recreation, on its territory there is a butterfly house, many sculptural compositions and art objects. And the "highlight" of the park is Millennium tower, height 60 meters... This is a museum that has everything from a wooden wedge to an X-ray machine, from cave paintings to computed tomography - everything that humanity has technically achieved in the last 6,000 years. A total of 250 exhibits on five exhibition levels.
Location: Tessenowstraße - 7.
The first documentary mention of Welschenturm, part of today's Lukascluz, dates back to 1279. The tower was part of a medieval fortress.
During the Thirty Years War, it was partially destroyed. As a famous engineer and inventor, the Saxon Otto von Guericke began the reconstruction of all fortifications and bridges, as well as the bastion. The work was titanic, but the game was worth the candle. St. Lucas impresses with its size: the total height is 21.70 meters, and the diameter is 11.42 meters. On the ground floor, the brickwork is 1.42 m thick.
Location: Schleinufer - 1.
In the center of Magdeburg rises the oldest building in the city, as well as a modern art center, which contains masterpieces of painting and sculpture. The architecture here uniquely reflects the changing history of the city, marked by prosperity, destruction and reconstruction. This is not just a museum of past eras, but art as a living, time-dependent system.
Interesting detail: the entrance door to the monastery was designed by the popular local artist Heinrich Apel and is very funny. You need to knock with a necklace of a female bas-relief at the entrance, and to enter you need to press on the man's hat. The entrance to the monastery is free.
Location: Regierungsstraße - 4.
The old market of Magdeburg is located in the historical part of the city. The first mentions of it date back to 1176. Unfortunately, the building, which was rebuilt several times, was almost completely destroyed during the bombing. However, the central part of the market, the town hall, has been restored to its historical appearance. The figure of the famous Magdeburg horseman rises on the square.
The sculptural composition depicts a ruler on a horse, accompanied by two female figures. A copy is installed on the square, the original is in the Museum of the History of Culture.
The statue itself was probably created in the middle of the 13th century. As conceived by the architects, the horseman's gaze and gesture are directed towards the medieval town hall. The rider is considered a symbol of the privileges and freedoms granted by Otto the First.
The museum's collections are divided into departments of archeology, the Middle Ages, and the history of the city. The exhibition features coins and medals, furniture, paintings, graphics, crafts, textiles, and even has a separate section dedicated to school history. The museum stores more than 800 paintings dating back to the 16th - 20th centuries. The museum also has a library.
A famous place in Magdeburg which is located south of the city center. In recent years, the square has become the center of nightlife. This part of the city was one of the few islands of Magdeburg that survived the great bombing. Today the square and its surroundings have been completely restored. It is awash with dozens of pubs, bars, restaurants and discos.
The newest architectural landmark of Magdeburg is the Green Citadel, a building that was erected in the city by the eccentric artist and architect from Vienna Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The project was completed in 2005. It is a piggy-pink building, with trees growing right on its facades and green glades covering its roof.
The house reflects the philosophy of Hundertwasser - the creation of unique spaces in harmony with nature, a kind of "oases for humanity." Inside there are offices, apartments and shops, as well as a small hotel and cafe. To understand the architect's intriguing vision, tourists are even offered one-hour tours of the Green Citadel.
Location: Breiter Weg - 10a.
Rotehorn is one of the most beautiful English landscape parks in Germany and the green heart of Magdeburg. Boat trips, dinner on the terrace of a river restaurant, playing sports on the playgrounds make this place a center of attraction for both townspeople and tourists. The architectural landmark of the park is the Bauhaus-style town hall. The building was built on the occasion of the world famous German theater exhibition in 1927.
Magdeburg has a lot to offer in terms of tourism and leisure: numerous sports and leisure activities, vibrant city parks and cultural attractions. You can walk around the city on foot, ride a double-decker bus, or take a boat to explore the city. Magdeburg is good at any time of the year with its Christmas markets, beer bars, the cobbled Elbe promenade where everyone is cycling, gardens and parks. You can explore it endlessly, discovering the history of the country, getting to know its art, wondering how the old and the new give birth to something unique.
