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These sculptures on the river Gera in Erfurt represent Käpt’n Blaubär and Hein Blöd. Both were stars in a German children’s television series. Käpt’n Blaubär (Captain Bluebear) also appeared in the educational children’s television series Die Sendung mit der Maus.
The quotes on the house walls of Weimar are a challenge for attentive walks. They inspire not only to look at gable ends but also to reflect. For example, let us take this quote from the French writer Jules Renard: “If you know life, please give me its address”.
During a stay at an IBIS hotel in Erfurt, I had this view from my room: It shows the ruins of the Barfüsserkirche, a church named after an order of the Franciscan (Barfüsser). A bombing raid destroyed the building in 1944.
Friedenstein Castle (Schloss Friedenstein) was commissioned in the mid-17th century by Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. It is notable for hosting the Ekhof-Theater, which still features the original Baroque machinery for changing the scenery.
The Tempelherrenhaus was never a residence of the mysterious templar knights. Instead, the 18th-century building served as venue for celebrations on the Ducal court. Later it housed a well-visited café in the lovely atmosphere of the Ilm park.
Petersberg Citadel (Zitadelle Petersberg) is a well-preserved city fortress in the centre of Erfurt. The buildings in the Baroque style were hardly destroyed in wars and escaped demolition during city modernization in the 19th century.
Memories! For many children in Germany and Austria, these wise guys were stars of the TV series Die Sendung mit der Maus (The Show with the Mouse). On your urban walk through Erfurt, you will find several heroes of German children’s TV series.
Walking through Ilm Park (Park an der Ilm), I came across this monument to William Shakespeare. What a surprise. I knew that Weimar is famous for Goethe, Schiller, and Herder. What is the link to Shakespeare? In fact, Goethe played a role in this question.
This manhole cover near Friedenstein Castle (Schloss Friedenstein) shows the coat of arms of Thuringia. The inscription promotes the foundation Thüringer Schlösser und Gärten. This organisation is responsible for about 30 castles, monasteries and parks.
Cycling the Ilm Valley Cycle Path you may visit the Kromsdorf Renaissance Palace. Visiting the castle grounds you will be awarded with 64 stone busts decorating the garden wall. There meaning is still disputed.
The manhole covers of Erfurt show the city arms. The local coat of arms reminds of the Mainzer Rad (Wheel of Mainz). Is there a reason for this similarity? The chronicle of Erfurt tells the answer to this question.
In 2013 the German states of Saxony and Thuringia are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the architect and designer Henry van de Velde. For this reason, exhibitions take place in cities like Weimar, Jena, Erfurt, Gera, Apolda, Bürgel, and Chemnitz.