Germany > Erlangen

Erlangen

It is a town with many faces - a kind of "Franconian Berkeley". Erlangen has a tradition of tolerance and is liberal in outlook. During the 17th century Huguenots fleeing from France found shelter in the town. The university was established, the Siemens company arrived - and the rest is history. Today Erlangen is home to people of 180 different nationalities, a fact that is reflected in its easy-going approach to life.

Plases of interest

The town-scape is dominated by the early 18th century baroque palace. The Huguenot Church was the first place of worship built by the Huguenots outside France. The interior is strikingly simple, and the loggia, the pulpit and the beautiful baroque organ are of particular note. Many visitors to Erlangen wonder about the huge map pins that seem to appear all over the town. The idea of this project is to draw attention to historical buildings around town. For example, the Margravial Theatre might look rather unassuming from the outside, but inside there is a hidden gem of baroque architecture - the oldest baroque theatre still in use in southern Germany.

Art and culture

Saluting the past is very much part of the Erlangen cultural scene. The oldest beer festival in the world (Bergkirchweih) is cel-ebrated on Burgberg hill every year in May/June. This romantic "pearl of Francon-ian fairs” is held beneath age-old chestnut trees lit with lanterns. The popular Poets' Festival takes place in the baroque palace gardens. The biennial international Comic Salon adds its own special touch to the cultural goings-on in the town.

Museums and exhibitions

Erlangen's municipal museum is housed in the former town hall in the old quarter and has a permanent exhibition tracing the history of the town.

Parks and green spaces

The palace gardens - Erlangen’s "lungs" and the site of the university - are in the heart of the town centre next to the palace. The Heinrich Kirchner Sculpture Garden features large-scale bronze sculptures in an idyllic setting on Burgberg hill.