Discover Germany

Germany's Christmas markets are a magical experience, and the markets in the Bavarian region are among the most enchanting. These markets, known for their festive atmosphere, traditional crafts and delightful treats, are a must-see during the holiday season.

Visitors to these markets—often located in the old town or city centers—can stroll through beautifully decorated stalls selling handmade ornaments, nutcrackers, and woolen scarves. The aroma of roasted chestnuts, bratwurst, pretzels and glühwein (mulled wine) fills the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Many markets feature live music, carolers and even ice-skating rinks, adding to the celebratory spirit.

Some of the most notable Christmas markets in Germany include:

• Dresden Striezelmarkt
  Dating to 1434, this annual event is recognized as the world’s oldest Christmas market. The Ferris wheel offers stunning views of the glittering market lights and historic Altmarkt Square.
• Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
  Located in the heart of Nuremberg, this market is one of the oldest and most famous in Germany. It is highly regarded for its Nürnberger lebkuchen, or spiced gingerbread.
• Passau Christkindlmarkt
  Situated in Passau’s enchanting Old Town, this market is a hub of merry activities, traditional Bavarian treats and high-quality crafts, including wooden ornaments, ceramic houses and jewelry.
• Cologne Christmas Market
  Cologne’s first Christmas market opened in 1820—later than many other German cities—but today, it hosts several popular markets. The most iconic one centers around the magnificent Cologne Cathedral.
• Breisach Weinachtsmarkt
  Visitors can sip steaming aromatic glühwein, keeping warm as they browse market stalls for gifts and handicrafts. The towering, snow-covered spruce trees of the nearby Black Forest resemble a winter wonderland.

These markets typically open at the end of November and run until New Year’s Eve, providing ample time to soak in the holiday cheer. Whether you're looking for unique gifts, delicious food or simply a joyful atmosphere, Bavarian Christmas markets have something for everyone.

Constructed in the late 19th century, Berlin’s iconic Reichstag capitol building was damaged during a series of events in the 20th century. Reconstruction on the building was completed in 1999, restoring its stunning blend of neo-Renaissance and neo-Baroque architecture. Today, the building proudly stands as a symbol of German reunification.

A turbulent history

The infamous Reichstag Fire of 1933 left the building heavily damaged, which helped enable the Nazi party to seize control of the government. Bombed in Allied air raids during World War II, the Reichstag languished in disrepair until the end of the cold war and the reunification of East and West Germany.

The Bundestag

In the wake of German reunification, Berlin once again became the nation's center of government in 1990. Germany’s Parliament, the Bundestag, has met under the glass cupola of the Reichstag ever since its renovation in 1999. Visitors who walk up the spiral ramps lining the inside of the dome are treated to breathtaking vistas of the surrounding city.

Teaching an old building new tricks

The Reichstag’s restoration features a commitment to renewable energy. Sprawling solar arrays on the roof, biofuel generators and innovative underground energy storage have reduced the building's carbon emissions by 94%. Those who explore the halls of the Reichstag experience a unique blend of history and modern engineering under one masterfully designed roof.

A lush panorama of green forests and mountains dotted with charming medieval hamlets, Franconia is renowned for its tranquility, its many breweries and its half-timbered houses and grand architecture spanning the centuries.

A rich beer-making tradition

A drive through Franconia reveals a rich tableau of pastures surrounded by sloping hills. Much of the farmland supports the local beer-brewing culture and a local brauhaus is never far away. The province is home to some 300 beer makers; large factories and artisanal producers make the region’s popular Rauchbier, a smoked beer.

Visit a palatial confection

Amid Franconia’s countryside, the prince-bishop of Bamberg built his beloved hunting lodge, Seehof Palace. The honey-colored baroque estate, topped with dramatic onion domes at each of its four corners, was built in 1686 and reflects the wealth and power of 17th-century rulers. Here, Europe’s best painters and landscape artists created a magnificent haven of lushly adorned rooms and spacious parkland.

Germany is renowned for its culinary traditions, which offer a variety of hearty and flavorful dishes that reflect the country’s diversity. From savory meats to rich desserts, there is something to satisfy every palate. Here is a sampling of some of Germany’s most delightful dishes:

• Sauerbraten
  Often considered Germany’s national dish, sauerbraten is a pot roast of beef marinated in a mixture of vinegar, water and seasonings for several days. This slow-cooked dish is typically served with potatoes and cabbage, offering a pleasant balance of tangy and savory flavors.
• Black Forest Ham
  Like a true Champagne from France’s Champagne region, only traditionally prepared ham from the Black Forest can call itself Schwarzwälder Schinken, or Black Forest Ham. Made from the best cut—the hind leg—the pork is pickled by hand-rubbing it in either salt or brine before smoking it.
• Bratwurst
  A staple at any German festival, bratwurst is a type of sausage made from pork, beef, or veal. Grilled to perfection and often served with mustard and sauerkraut, this dish is beloved for its juicy and flavorful taste.
• Kartoffelsalat
  German potato salad varies by region, but it generally includes boiled potatoes mixed with ingredients like bacon, onions, and a tangy vinegar-based dressing. This side dish is a favorite accompaniment to many German meals.
• Black Forest Cake
  This iconic German dessert features layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream and cherries, all infused with a hint of cherry schnapps. Topped with chocolate shavings and more cherries, it is a decadent treat that is hard to resist.
• Apfelstrudel
  Another classic dessert, apfelstrudel (apple strudel) is a pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and breadcrumbs. Often served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of vanilla ice cream, it is a comforting way to end a meal.

Half-timbered houses are a hallmark of German charm, with more than 2.5 million of these picturesque structures still seen in many parts of Germany today—some dating back to the 13th century. The term “half-timbered” refers to buildings that have been constructed in such a way as to leave the structural frames exposed. The wood used to make the frames is cut in half so that a single log can be repurposed into two or more posts, with the cut side traditionally positioned to face the exterior of the building. The walls are then filled in with plaster or other materials such as brick.

The first verified mention of the term “half-timbered” did not appear until the 1820s, making its way into Joseph Gwilt’s Encyclopedia of Architecture in 1842. This building method became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages and was Germany’s premier construction technique between the 12th and 19th centuries due to the area’s preponderance of forestland. It was often employed only on the upper floors of a building to provide both more structural support and protection from any ill-intentioned marauders.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, half-timbered houses are also environmentally friendly. By using heavy pieces of timber rather than wood that has been cut into “sticks” of lumber, less material waste is produced and the need to dry sawn wood is eliminated. The pieces are made to fit together efficiently at the construction site—and the resulting structures provide better natural insulation as well.

In the United States, colonists used this building method upon their arrival, but harsh winters quickly rendered half-timbered construction an impractical choice. The wood expanded and contracted dramatically, and the filling between the timbers proved inefficient at keeping out cold drafts.

The early 20th century, particularly the 1920s, saw a resurgence in European medieval styles’ popularity among American suburbanites. Dubbed “Tudor Revival,” this style was thought to be a signifier of sophistication and success. The timbering applied to exterior wall surfaces was purely ornamental, and stucco and pitched roofs were added to create a charming “storybook” feel.

Germany’s oldest city can be found on the banks of the Moselle River. Trier was founded in the first century BC.

The seeds of a settlement

According to Gesta Treverorum, a 12th-century collection of histories, legends and records by archbishops and popes, an Assyrian prince named Trebeta founded the city prior to any interaction with ancient Rome. A medieval inscription in the city’s marketplace is translated, “1,300 years before Rome, Trier stood. May it stand on and enjoy eternal peace. Amen.”

The Romans

In 30 BC, the Roman Empire established Augusta Treverorum, the Noble City of the Treveri. The city later became the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. Treveri, also the seat of the Roman prefecture of Gaul, had as many as 70,000 inhabitants. Trier’s Porta Nigra (“Black Gate”) and elaborate baths were built during this era. Even after the prefecture was moved to Arles between 395 and 418 AD, Trier continued to manufacture military technology and armor, uniforms for the troops, clothing for the civil servants and high-quality garments for the Court.

The Franks and the French

In 459 A.D., the Franks seized Trier from the Romans. In 870 AD, it became part of Eastern Francia, which would ultimately become part of the Holy Roman Empire. Relics of St. Mathias were brought to the city, resulting in an influx of pilgrims. The Archbishopric of Trier was soon one of the most powerful states of Germany. The University of Trier was founded in 1473.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the French invaded Trier during four separate wars. France finally succeeded in claiming Trier in 1794 during the French Revolutionary Wars, and the electoral Archbishopric was dissolved. After the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815, Trier passed to the Kingdom of Prussia.

World War II and beyond

In 1940, Trier was a staging post for British soldiers headed for German prisoner-of-war camps. The city sustained heavy bombing in 1944 and became part of the new state of Rhineland-Palatinate after the war. The university, dissolved in 1797, restarted in the 1970s. The Cathedral of Trier reopened in 1974, and the city officially marked its 2,000–year anniversary in 1984.

Built in the 18th century by two prince-bishops, the Würzburg Residenz is one of the largest and most beautiful palaces in Germany. Every bit as grand as the Palace at Versailles or the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the Würzburg Residenz was called “the nicest parsonage in Europe” by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Though not as well-known as the Palace at Versailles or the Schönbrunn Palace, the Würzburg Residenz is every bit as grand.

Germany’s magnificent baroque palace

The Würzburg Residenz is a pristine example of baroque architecture. Surrounded by formal gardens, the palace is one of the largest and most beautiful in Germany. Built by the Prince-Bishops Lothar Franz and Friedrich Carl von Schönborn of Würzburg, the structure was largely completed in 1745. What began as a fairly modest design expanded to include north and south wings, vaulted ceilings, a grand salon, an elaborate chapel and a spectacular double staircase designed by the great baroque architect Balthasar Neumann.

Embellished by master artists

In the 1760s, additional decorative work was added, including a series of ceiling frescoes by Venetian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and his sons; Rudolph Byss frescoes in the Court Chapel; and some of the world’s most intricate stucco work by Antonio Giuseppe Bossi. The palace and its grand staircases are reminiscent of St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace (the Hermitage), which was built at the same time. The Würzburg Residenz was beloved by many, including Napoleon Bonaparte. The Emperor stayed there several times in the early 19th century and pronounced it “the nicest parsonage in Europe.”

Secularization and restoration

Around 1800, the Episcopal principal of Würzburg and the Prince-Bishops were abolished with secularization. The palace became part of the kingdom of Bavaria in 1814. The Residenz was heavily damaged by wartime bombing in 1945, but the sweeping staircases and amazing ceiling frescoes by Tiepolo survived. The palace was painstakingly restored from 1945 to 1987, at an estimated cost of 20 million euro.