Germany – a country in Central Europe. Capital – Berlin. According to the latest population of over 80 million people. It shares borders with nine European countries, including Denmark, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland. Major cities – Hamburg, Dresden, Cologne, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Munich, Frankfurt, Leipzig.
Geographically, the country is divided into 16 federal states, with some large cities (Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen) have the status of individual provinces. Germany partially bordering the North and Baltic Seas.
Official language – German. Also distributed English. Most of the population professes Christianity. The accepted form of government – a parliamentary republic. The country lies in the temperate climate zone. There is equally meet the mountains, hills and plains.
Travel to Germany at any time of the year. The country has a lot of health and ski resorts, including Baden-Baden, Wiesbaden, Oberstdorf.
Germany has a rich 2000 year history. Once it was home to the old Germanic tribes and part of the Roman Empire. Since then, there remain thousands of ancient and medieval architectural buildings, castles.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle – the romantic Bavarian castle in Germany, located near the border with Austria. The closest town to it – Fussen. Surrounded by woodland in the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein is very popular among tourists.
Translated from the German Neuschwanstein means “new swan stone.” It is unlikely that in Germany there is another castle, having such a charming atmosphere. Today, his image can be seen on many postcards in periodicals, advertising. He seemed to be the personification of the greatness of European architecture.
This Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration of creating the Sleeping Beauty in the French Disneyland. He also inspired the creation of the Tchaikovsky ballet “Swan Lake”. Well, special attention deserves the connection lock with the work of Wagner. The fact that the King, who created this fabulous masterpiece, Ludwig II, who loved the music of Wagner. The castle became a kind of embodiment of his love for the works of the composer. Tapestry depicting scenes from Wagner’s operas is still decorate the halls of Neuschwanstein.
Construction of the castle began in 1869. Louis II had long dreamed to build a private residence of incomparable beauty. After he took the throne, he had such an opportunity. Location away from busy cities was not chosen by chance. Bavarian King wanted to escape from the madding crowd and live in a fairy-tale world.
He himself grew up in the castle of Hohenschwangau, the walls of which were decorated with the legend of “the swan knight”. Presenting yourself in the place fairy-tale hero, he wanted to build a more majestic castle, the so-called New Hohenschwangau. Neuschwanstein name appeared much later.
The museum is located in the castle. It can be visited separately. The only occupant of Neuschwanstein is a guard guardian. The castle can be reached from Munich Train Station. The distance is about 130 km.
Palace Church
Palace Church – one of the most majestic sights in Germany and a true decoration historic part of Dresden. In 1980 it was given the status of cathedral. The church was designed by the Roman architect, so the style is close to the sublime Baroque.
In particular, it affects the appearance of the church with numerous niches and balustrades decorated with sculptures. The height of the bell tower -. 85 m Temple was built in the XVIII century on the initiative of the ruling prince. The area was chosen near the bridge over the Elbe. In the crypt of the church lie the rulers of Saxony.
Tourists Palace Church attracts the rich history and wonderful architecture. Attention should be paid and the interior of the temple. For example, one of the most beautiful in Germany, church organs, carved pulpit, fragments of works of Mengs “Son of Joseph”, “Victory Christian religion”, the main altar, marble and gilding.
The church has four corner chapels, each dedicated to a specific event or personality. One of the chapels is a memorial was dedicated to the memory of victims of the bombing of Dresden in 1945. This church has a choir of boys from time to time touring the world.
Art museums in Munich
Art museums in Munich – is a quarter of museum exhibits of various kinds in the city center Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is hard to imagine that all the major museums of the city are located on the same site, but it is. This museum quarter is known as Kunstareal. Today it includes three Pinakothek, Brandhorst museum, Lenbach House and a number of other art galleries.
One of the most famous museums – the Old Pinakothek. The 19 rooms of the building has collected more than 700 unique paintings. In its scope it can be compared only with the best museums of Fine Arts: the Louvre, the Hermitage.
Fans and connoisseurs will appreciate this museum. Equally popular with tourists and modern Pinakothek Munich. This relatively new museum and it is devoted primarily to art of the XX century.
Another young museum, which opened its doors only in 2009, is the heir to the name «Henkel» Dynasty – Udo Brandhorst. This establishment is located near the modern Pinakothek, and also specializes in contemporary art. The Museum Brandhorst entire floor is reserved for the work of Cy Twombly, which is sometimes difficult to understand.
Another famous museum in the museum quarter of Munich – this Glyptothek. It focused a large collection of sculptures of ancient Greek and Roman cultures. The masterpiece of this museum is considered the figure of “drunken satyr” or “Barberini Faun”.
The City Gallery in the Lenbach House in Munich is a collection of old paintings. By itself, the house also is a valuable monument of architecture. Durkheim’s Palace, built in the XIX century, keeps the “Pinakothek palace.” Talk about Munich’s museums and their exhibits can be infinite. In the first quarter Kustareal addition to the classic museums of fine arts, and many other, more rare galleries, such as Toy Museum or BMW Museum. To get to this unique place, you can take the metro to the station Königsplatz.
Holstein Gate
Holstein Gate – the most famous late Gothic city gate in Germany, which marked the entrance to Lübeck. On the German manner they are called Holshtentor. Until 1864 the gates were part of a complex Hanseatic defensive fortress.
Today Holshtentor – a calling card all over North Germany. Gates appeared on this spot in 1478. Externally Holstein gates resemble a gallery of several floors with two cone-shaped towers at the edges. Holes “galleries”, in fact, served as loopholes, and the gate itself – the entrance to the fortified city.
From the Middle Ages on the west side of the gable preserved gilded inscription: Inside consent – from the outside world.
In the middle of the XX century was a museum where you can learn a lot about the history of the city and the entire region. On the ground in front of the gates are often cultural events.
The international airport is just a kilometer from the city center. From the train station to the main gate, you can walk. The museum is open for tours daily from 10-11 o’clock in the morning, depending on the season.
Nuremberg Castle
Nuremberg Castle – a complex of medieval buildings in Nuremberg; One of the most significant monuments of culture and architecture in Germany. Its territory is divided into western and eastern parts. First presented by the Imperial Castle and the second – Burggrafskoy fortress.
Nuremberg Castle is also known as the Kaiserburg. Its walls rise in the northern part of the city on a sandy rock, has long been reliably protecting the historic center. Not far from the cliff is the house-museum of the famous German artist of the Renaissance – Albrecht Dürer. In the heart of the fortress ensemble is an observation tower, which has long been a symbol of the city. From the height of this tower is a beautiful view of the Old City Quarter and artisans.
Currently, the Nuremberg Castle operates a museum, the entrance to which is paid. All the tourists who visit the castle, pay attention to the well-preserved city walls and towers. The fact that the complex was built Kaiserburg immediately. First appeared on the rocks Castle Burgrave. The first mention of it belong to the XII century. Since then, a few buildings of the fortress are preserved. To have survived pentagonal tower.
Around the XIII century it was built the chapel of St. Walpurgis, which today is an active temple. As the growth of the city defensive walls connected to one common defensive ring. As a result, the total length of the city wall was 5 km, and the number of watchtowers exceeded one hundred.
Currently, archaeological excavations conducted in the fortress. Archeologists have a lot of artifacts have been found. From major cities closest to Nuremberg is located in Munich. On the ICE high-speed train route between the two cities takes just 1 hour and on a regular regional train – approximately 2 hours 40 minutes.
Central Hall of Hamburg
Central Hall of Hamburg – a wonderful baroque building of sandstone in the central part of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany. For exquisite facade hall hiding hundreds of halls, statues and openwork balconies.
It is noteworthy that after the Second World War, it was one of the few buildings on the Rathausmarkt square, survived the bombing. Today, its 112-meter tower rises proudly above the city, glittering sky-blue tiles, and facade decorated with statues of German rulers and the bell tower of the clock have become extremely popular with tourists.
Hamburg town hall is relatively young. It was built in the XIX century on the site burned down the Old Town Hall and other historic buildings. Geographically, it takes about 17 thousand square meters. The patio has a beautiful fountain, built in honor of the victory of the people over the cholera epidemic. Inside the building over 640 luxuriously decorated rooms.
In the central hall often hosts concerts, exhibitions and various events. reception walls are decorated with symbolic scenes from the history of Hamburg. Here is the second largest in Europe, Imperial Hall.
The area on which the town hall, is very popular among residents and visitors alike. It is always crowded, because of the abundance of souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. Nearest metro station – Jungfernstieg and Rathaus.
Berlin Zoo
Berlin Zoo – the oldest and most visited zoo in Germany. Located in the heart of Berlin and covers an area of over 35 hectares. This zoo is among the top ten zoos in the world. Collection of birds, reptiles and mammals institutions really impressive. It love to visit not only children but also adults.
Berlin Zoo was opened in 1844 with a small number of exotic animals. He quickly gained popularity, thanks in part to an enclosure for rare species of antelope. Then there were similar facilities for the elephants, flamingos and ostriches. Each new director of the zoo animals gradually replenish the fund, so that today, it has more than 17 thousand species of animals and 1,500 species.
In 1913, on the initiative of Professor O. Haynrota appeared in the zoo aquarium. Unfortunately, during the Second World War, much of the park has suffered. However, the animals were killed and. Only a few survived. Recovery Zoo engaged Haynrota wife.
Under her leadership, the new animal enclosures were built. Over time, the aquarium was removed, there was a collection of rare animals and the first zoo school. In the park there were themed sculptures. Today the Berlin zoo – a collection of the zoo, the aquarium and Europe’s largest landscaped park Tiergarten.
It is noteworthy that some of the inhabitants of the zoo became international celebrities. One of them was a bear cub Knut, which wrote children’s books, toys and produced DVD-movies. For children, the park set aside a special area where they can hand-feed the goats and sheep.
Berlin Zoo is open to visitors daily from 9 o’clock in the morning and the evening. Locals prefer to get to it on the subway system U-Bahn and S-Bahn. Zoo Station – Zoologischer Garden. Alternative transport – tourist bus number 100. For frequent visits can immediately buy an annual ticket ZooCard.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle – one of the oldest castles in Germany, located in Bavaria land. Throughout its history, it served as the residence of many knights and kings. The area surrounding the castle is so picturesque that a visit to a memorable stay. Right in front of Hohenschwangau is another masterpiece of architecture – Neuschwanstein.
The first mention of Hohenschwangau refer to the beginning of the XII century. It is known that the castle for centuries belonged to the German dynasty of Schwangau. Starting from the XVI century, it was completely abandoned and in ruins. It was not until he did not notice Maximilian II of Bavaria.
In 1833 it began a global restructuring of the castle. By order of the King of Bavaria gave him a completely new look, typical of the Romantic era. Above the castle decorations worked outstanding artists, and especially for Ludwig II (the son of Maximilian II) came to the palace, Richard Wagner. Out of love for the composer and his work the king’s son built a more majestic castle, when grown up. Neuschwanstein recognized as the most fabulous castle in Germany.
Hohenschwangau fits perfectly into the landscape of green hills and valleys of southern Bavaria. In turn, the interior of the castle is particularly noteworthy. For its registration King Maximilian II of Germany invited the best artists of the time. He and his wife Marie of Prussia spent in this palace life.
Sleeping quarters queen decorated in oriental style. The Hohenstaufen room you can see the piano Wagner. Historic scenes and personalities depicted in the drawing room of Queen Mary. The walls of the former dining room are decorated with scenes from the Saga of the swan knight.
Hohenschwangau is still in the possession of the Royal House of Bavaria, but it is open to the public and has the status of the museum. To get there by bus from Oberammergau are directed to Fussen.
