Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt, or “Sachsen-Anhalt” in German, is one of the “new” federal states in Eastern Germany. Magdeburg, its capitol, is over 1200 years old and used to be one of the most important medieval cities in Europe. There are two universities in town, the Otto-von-Guericke University and the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences.

Arguably the most impressive building in Magdeburg is the Lutheran Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice, with a height of over 340 feet. It's the highest church in Eastern Germany. It's famous for its many statues, especially the “Zwölf Jungfrauen” (twelve virgins) at the northern gate of the church. The church was the first Gothic church building in Germany.

“Unser Lieben Frauen” (Our Lady) Monastery is also worth a look. Nowadays it is a museum for modern art and is the home of the National Collection of Small Art Statues of the GDR.

Magdeburg is also famous for the “Magdeburger Reiter” (Magdeburg equestrian), buildtin 1240. It was the very first equestrian sculpture north of the alps.

The town hall is another very impressive building. It was renovated in 2005. If you have the time, pay it a visit. Equally interesting, but in a shape not nearly as good, are the ruins of the great fortress of the former Kingdom of Prussia.

If you'd like to see some nature but it's raining, visit the Gruson-Gewächshäuser. That's a botanical garden inside of a greenhouse complex. Here you'll find a cactus house, a tropical house, a Victoria house, a palm house, the Grusonian greenhouse, and a fern house. An annex contains aquariums and terrariums. There you'll be able to see crocodiles, turtles and piranhas. It's a great place to spend a rainy day with your kids. It opens every day except for Mondays.

If the weather is nice, go to the Magdeburg Water Bridge. It's the longest water bridge in Europe and is truly impressive.

There is much more to see in Saxony-Anhalt than just Magdeburg. Dozens of rivers and lakes can be found in this state. The same is true for castles and palaces. The most famous castle is Wernigerode. The castle open to the public and it's an amazing sight.

Other interesting castles are Stolberg, Blankenburg, Mansfeld,  Bernburg, the Johannbau in Dessau, Moritzburg, Neu-Augustusburg, and Wittenberg.

Surprisingly enough there are also many cathedrals in Saxony-Anhalt. Namely the “Magdeburger Dom”, “Hallescher Dom”, “Havelberger Dom”, “Naumburger Dom”, “Zeitzer Dom”, “Halberstädter Dom” and the “Merseburger Dom”. Each of them is worth a visit if you're interested in Gothic or  Romantic. If you visit the “Magdeburger Dom” (Cathedral of Magdeburg), make sure to take a look at the organ. It's the biggest in Saxony-Anhalt.

As you can see, Saxony-Anhalt is a very interesting place. It's not very crowded with tourists but there is no reason for you not to pay a visit. Have fun!

All the best,

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