Almost everyone who has been to Germany has seen the Brandenburg Gate, Cologne Cathedral, the Berlin Wall and other famous landmarks. But besides them, there is something to see in the country. We’ll tell you where to go in Germany if it seems like you’ve already seen everything.
Exer stones (Externsteine)
The Exer Stones (or Exernstein) are a group of rocks in the Teutoburg Forest in northwestern Germany, shaped like columns and rising 30 meters above the ground. According to legend, many centuries ago a tribe of sun worshipers lived here. There are many passages, staircases and holes carved into the rocks, some of them leading to chapels or rooms, others to nowhere. On one of the five rock columns there is a niche carved out, which represents an altar, where a ray of sun enters through a round hole in the rock during the annual summer solstice. Currently, this place is considered sacred among neo-pagans, where fans of this religious movement often make pilgrimages.
Partnach Gorge
Photo : © Zairon/WikiCommons
One of the most unusual natural places in Germany, the Partnachklamm Gorge is located in the vicinity of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a ski resort in Bavaria. Steep cliffs have formed on both sides of the winding river, which look like something like the “walls” of a corridor. The length of the gorge is about a kilometer, so you can walk through it quickly, except for stopping to look around and take photos. Coming out of the gorge, you will find yourself in an open area with beautiful mountain scenery. From here you can climb the mountains along one of the hiking trails or go down the cable car.
City of Meersburg
Photo: Ștefan Jurcă/flickr.com
Meersburg is a small town on the shores of Lake Baden in southern Germany. It is famous for its fully preserved medieval buildings and the surrounding vineyards and orchards. Here you can walk along the narrow streets decorated with flowers and look at the azure lake. But the main attraction of Meersburg is the ancient castle, inside of which there are 30 rooms with medieval furniture, clothing and utensils. From the castle tower you can see not only Meersburg itself, but also the city of Konstanz, which is located on the opposite bank.
Lake Shrecksee
Despite its name, Lake Shrek has nothing to do with the famous cartoon character – except perhaps the color of the mountain peaks surrounding it. It is located in the Bavarian Alps and is absolutely untouched by civilization. Camping is even prohibited around the lake. True, this does not stop some tourists, despite the fact that the lake can only be reached on foot – there is no cable car or roadway here.
Park Kromlau (Rakotzbrücke in Kromlau)
Another picturesque place is located in eastern Germany near the Polish border. It is better to come here at the end of May or beginning of June, when rhododendrons and azaleas bloom in the park. In addition, there is one of the most photogenic bridges in the world – Rakotzbrücke (or Devil’s Bridge), built in 1860. It is notable for the fact that, together with its reflection in the river, it forms a perfect circle. According to one legend, if you sail under a bridge on a boat on a full moon, despite your reflection and without touching the water, you can get your cherished desire fulfilled.
Basteibrücke
Bastei is a stone bridge in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, located near the German-Czech border. It was originally built of wood in 1824 and was replaced in 1851 by one made of sandstone. The cliffs surrounding the bridge rise 194 meters above the Elbe River. Also nearby you can visit the medieval fortress of Königstein, which is located on the mountain of the same name.
Town of Cochem
The history of the tiny town of Cochem, located on the Moselle River, dates back to the times of the Romans and Celts. The first mentions of it appeared in the 9th century. The historic city center has retained its medieval appearance with neat half-timbered houses, a town hall, a fountain, a church and the imperial castle of Reichsburg, built around 1020 at an altitude of 100 meters above the city. The city is surrounded by vineyards, the fruits of which are used to produce the famous Moselle wines.
Lichtenstein Castle
The neo-Gothic Lichtenstein Castle was built in the 19th century in the town of Honau. It is located at an altitude of 817 meters. Inside the castle there is an impressive collection of historical weapons and knightly armor, and not far from it there are the ruins of “Old Lichtenstein” – a castle built in 1150-1200. From the windows of Lichtenstein there is a picturesque view of the rocks and the village below.
Lake Blautopf
Photo: Erich Ferdinand/flickr.com
Lake Blautopf is located in the south of the country in the city of Blaubeuren and is famous for its incredibly blue water. There was once a belief that the lake turned blue because a barrel of ink was poured into it every day. In fact, this color occurs due to the scattering of light on tiny particles of limestone that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The lake has the shape of a funnel with a depth of approximately 20 meters. And the blue water contrasts beautifully with the lush trees growing around – this is especially impressive in the fall, when the leaves turn yellow.
Linderhof Castle
Most tourists who have visited Germany have seen Neuschwanstein Castle, but this is not the only palace that is worth paying attention to. Linderhof is the summer home of the same King Ludwig II. This is the only one of Ludwig II’s three castles that was completed during his lifetime, although construction took 17 years. Linderhof is designed in the French Baroque style: to make the building as authentic as possible, builders and sculptors were sent to France several times. Inside there are 10 rooms that were painted by the best European artists. The castle has a garden with figured flower beds and a variety of flowers, as well as an artificial lake.
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