Magdeburg – famous city, located on the territory of the former GDR. This city has a rich history associated with international wars and religions. Architectural monuments such as the Imperial Cathedral, famous for its grandeur, and the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, testify to the pre-existing wealth of the imperial city.

Geographical location of Magdeburg

Magdeburg is the capital of the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt, characterized by its greenery and has twenty picturesque parks.

Climate of Magdeburg

The climate in these places is continental and temperate. The weather is no different from the rest of central Germany. average temperature here in summer - +220C, and in winter - zero temperature.

Historical information about Magdeburg

Magdeburg was first mentioned in historical information have been meeting since 805. Here the city passes through as a trading post. A Benedictine monastery was founded here by Emperor Otto I in 937. Adalbert-Vojtech studied at the MacDeburg Cathedral School for ten years (970-980) under the leadership of Adalbert of Magdeburg.

In the 11th century (1013) the city was sacked by the Polish king Boleslaw I the Brave. Thanks to its participation in the League of Schmalkalden, Magdeburg was besieged by the troops of Moritz of Saxony for ten months (October 1550 - August 1551), and was eventually forced to accept an enemy garrison.

During the Thirty Years' War, Magdeburg was besieged by Wallestein's troops for seven months (1629). It was only in 1631 that the troops of the imperial commander Tilly were able to take the city by storm. Having burst into the city, the imperials committed outrages and exterminated the townspeople. As a result, Magdeburg turned into a pile of ash.

Its religious life also played an important role in the development of the city. Thus, after the founding of the city in 968, the Magdeburg archbishopric was formed, whose representatives constantly fought with their neighbors, the Slavs and the Brandenburg margraves.

Already at the end of the 15th century, the archiepiscopal region had two parts, which were divided by the possessions of Anhalt, and had total area 5.4 thousand sq. km. By the 16th century the office of archbishop was electoral. A similar appointment system applied to Magdeburg administrators. In the form of a duchy, the Archbishopric of Magdeburg was annexed to Brandenburg in 1648, which received full power only in 1680.

In the 19th century (1806), the city was again subject to sieges, now by the French corps of Ney. At the same time, two sieges were unsuccessful, and on the third Magdeburg was forced to surrender. Occupied by the French, the city was attacked by Prussian and then Russian troops. The blockade was lifted only after a truce was concluded.

In 1814, Magdeburg was again under siege, but was cleared only in May by the French after receiving news of the capture of Paris.

During World War II, the city already had 350 thousand inhabitants. During this period, it suffered greatly from Allied bombing, due to which the northern outskirts of Magdeburg were almost completely destroyed.

After the war, the buildings that survived the bombing were dismantled, and only some buildings near the Cathedral could be preserved in their pre-war condition. Before the reunification of Germany (1990), Magdeburg was the center of the district of the same name and was located on the territory of the GDR. Subsequently, the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt is formed, the capital of which is Magdeburg. At the same time, the city center is being formed only in a modern style.

In 1994, Magdeburg becomes the seat of a diocese.

Sights of Magdeburg

In Magdeburg there was initially a division into two parts: “spiritual” and “secular”. This same division has persisted to this day. In the “secular” area there is the Market Square with an early Baroque town hall on two floors, dating from the 17th century. Directly in front of the Town Hall, under the stone canopy itself, stands the guardian of the city - Roland.

Back in the Middle Ages, it was customary to install main square a statue of the European hero-knight Roland, called upon to protect the city from wars or plague. Roland was also considered to be a symbol of the city's justice. The sculpture of Roland in Magdeburg dates from 1240.

In the southern part of the city there is a “monastic” part, which is represented by the presence of the Cathedral and the Monastery of St. Mary, which are the pearl of German Romanesque. These complexes date back to the construction of the 11th - 13th centuries and form a significant part of the German tourist route called the Romanica Road. Both the Cathedral and the monastery are famous for their organ concerts. The exclusivity of the Cathedral is represented by the rich interior decoration - a carved oak choir and sculptural decoration of the cathedral portals.

On the peninsula between the old and new currents of the Elbe, opposite the Old Town, there is the beautiful Rothehorn city park, created at the end of the 19th century.

Excursions around Magdeburg

Excursions around the city will give you a huge amount of impressions. A Gothic cathedral, which is central in Germany, was erected here, and the fairly ancient Hanseatic city of Stendal is also well preserved. There are other buildings in Magdeburg that attract the interest of tourists.

Wonderful places for tourists to visit are located directly in the city itself. So, right on the Domfelsen rocks (translated as “cathedral rocks”) is the oldest building in the city, founded by Emperor Otto - the Cathedral of St. Catherine and Mauritius. Once upon a time, the cathedral, together with Kaiserpatz Square, was the center of the “Third Rome”.

The Historical and Cultural Museum houses a collection of crafts and art. This collection contains over 40 thousand archaeological finds and medieval values, 10 thousand exhibits from the history of the city, over 11 thousand medals and coins, about one and a half thousand military items, 800 furniture exhibits, over a thousand paintings, etc. Visiting the museum is allowed on any day except Monday.

The Technical Museum contains exhibits that tell the economic and social history of Magdeburg. The opening hours are the same as those of the historical and cultural museum.

One more is enough interesting museum located on the steamship Württemberg, which anchored near the island of Rothehorn after its last voyage on the Elbe (1974). In such a museum you can see the interior of the steamship, as well as admire an exhibition about shipping on the Elbe.

The Museum of Art houses a permanent exhibition covering exhibits from ancient times to the modern era. Visitors can also see 20th-century sculpture and other modern art here.

In the Elbauenpark there is a 60 m high Millennium Tower called the Jarthauzendturm. It is the tallest wooden structure in Germany, containing five exhibition halls in which you can see the pyramids of Giza, an ancient Roman road, a medieval crane, fiberglass optical sensors, and a Newtonian mirror telescope. Visiting the museum is available from April to October, closed on Mondays.

The Museum of Art, located in the monastery of St. Virgin Mary, houses the famous showroom contemporary art of Saxony-Anhalt. It contains works by Anselmo, Castellani, Tzorio, Brelo, Holzner and Ikemura.

Places for entertainment and shopping in Magdeburg

The main places for shortening are the main shopping alleys (Breiter Weg, Ernst Reuther Allee) and the shopping arcades located on Halberstäter Strasse and the Sudenburg quarter.

How to get to Magdeburg

Magdeburg has an airport that receives both domestic and international flights. Leipzig Airport is located just a hundred kilometers from the city. Also Magdeburg, thanks to federal highways and railway, has communication with the outside world.

Conclusion

Thus, Magdeburg is considered one of the most beautiful cities Saxony-Anhalt, located on the Elbe River and has a rich history and owns a cultural and architectural heritage. This city was considered to be one of the most important cities of the Middle Ages.

Holidays in Magdeburg provide an excellent opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of opposites that reigns in the city. At the same time, cultural and historical attractions will appear before guests in all their glory.

Magdeburg is a city in Germany, located on the banks of the Elbe River, the capital of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt. Magdeburg has about two hundred thirty-five thousand inhabitants.

The first mention of Magdeburg in historical references dates back to 805. Here the city passes through as a trading post. A Benedictine monastery was founded here by Emperor Otto I in 937. Adalbert-Vojtech studied at the MacDeburg Cathedral School for ten years (970-980) under the leadership of Adalbert of Magdeburg.

In the 11th century (1013) the city was sacked by the Polish king Boleslaw I the Brave. Thanks to its participation in the League of Schmalkalden, Magdeburg was besieged by the troops of Moritz of Saxony for ten months (October 1550 - August 1551), and was eventually forced to accept an enemy garrison.

During the Thirty Years' War, Magdeburg was besieged by Wallestein's troops for seven months (1629). It was only in 1631 that the troops of the imperial commander Tilly were able to take the city by storm. Having burst into the city, the imperials committed outrages and exterminated the townspeople. As a result, Magdeburg turned into a pile of ash.

Its religious life also played an important role in the development of the city. Thus, after the founding of the city in 968, the Magdeburg archbishopric was formed, whose representatives constantly fought with their neighbors, the Slavs and the Brandenburg margraves.

Already at the end of the 15th century, the archiepiscopal region had two parts, which were divided by the possessions of Anhalt, and had a total area of ​​5.4 thousand square meters. km. By the 16th century the office of archbishop was electoral. A similar appointment system applied to Magdeburg administrators. In the form of a duchy, the Archbishopric of Magdeburg was annexed to Brandenburg in 1648, which received full power only in 1680.

In the 19th century (1806), the city was again subject to sieges, now by the French corps of Ney. At the same time, two sieges were unsuccessful, and on the third Magdeburg was forced to surrender. Occupied by the French, the city was attacked by Prussian and then Russian troops. The blockade was lifted only after a truce was concluded.

In 1814, Magdeburg was again under siege, but was abandoned only in May by the French after receiving news of the capture of Paris.

During World War II, the city already had 350 thousand inhabitants. During this period, it suffered greatly from Allied bombing, due to which the northern outskirts of Magdeburg were almost completely destroyed.

After the war, the buildings that survived the bombing were dismantled, and only some buildings near the Cathedral could be preserved in their pre-war condition. Before the reunification of Germany (1990), Magdeburg was the center of the district of the same name and was located on the territory of the GDR. Subsequently, the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt is formed, the capital of which is Magdeburg. At the same time, the city center is being formed only in a modern style.

Magdeburg often entered into alliances with cities. In 1315, a union was concluded between the cities of Magdeburg and Halberstadt. The city later joined the league of Saxon cities (from 1357, 1400 and 1416) and, together with Brunswick, was recognized as a suburb of Saxon cities within the Hanseatic League.

Town unions allowed for unhindered trade among their members. The city's prosperity was largely due to the Magdeburg staple law (“Stapelrecht”), which monopolized the grain trade on the middle Elbe. Because of its leading position in the sale of grain, the city was called the “Grain House of the Hansa”. Its international trade relations in the late Middle Ages extended to northern France, Flanders, England, Poland, Russia, Sweden and Norway.

The legal rules governing trade activities, along with the general law of Magdeburg, have been considered the basis of justice in many European countries for many centuries. For more than 800 years, Magdeburg Law has been considered an integral part of cultural heritage. Thanks to the Magdeburg Craftsmen's Guild, a law was created that, centuries later, became one of the most famous “Export Hits”.

Geographical position, good quality goods and freedom of trade became decisive factors for strengthening trade relations. Until 1666, Magdeburg was part of the Hanseatic League, and in April 2003 the city rejoined the Hanseatic League.

Magdeburg is also known as the birthplace of the German physicist, engineer and philosopher Otto von Guericke.

In 1650, he invented vacuum pumping of air, which is now used at every step. And in 1654, he conducted a famous experiment with the Magdeburg hemispheres, which many read about in physics textbooks. Two copper hemispheres were connected and the air was pumped out of them. Eight horses on each side were unable to tear the hemispheres apart, and thus the existence of atmospheric pressure was proven. There are monuments to the scientist in the city, and hemispheres, symbols of the city, can be found everywhere. The original ones are kept in the German Museum in Munich.

In Magdeburg, the original division of the city into “secular” and “spiritual” parts has been preserved. In the “secular” area there is the Market Square with a two-story early Baroque town hall from the 17th century. In front of the Town Hall, under a stone canopy, stands Roland, the guardian of the city. It is Germany's first free-standing sculpture and dates back to 1240.

The “spiritual” part of the city is represented by numerous monasteries and churches, among them: the monastery of St. Mary, the Cathedral of St. Mauritius and St. Catherine. Magdeburg was the favorite residence of Emperor Otto I the Great, who became Holy Roman Emperor in 962. Otto I loved this city so much that he even presented it to his wife Edita as a marriage gift. Residents of Magdeburg carefully preserve the memory of “their Otto.” The emperor is buried in the city Cathedral of St. Mauritius and St. Catherine, a most valuable monument of history and culture. The powerful towers of the cathedral are visible from afar.

Magdeburg Cathedral is one of the most outstanding architectural monuments Central Germany and is the first cathedral in Germany built in the Gothic style. The interior and portals of the cathedral are richly decorated with sculptural carvings. The cathedral is a recognized symbol of Magdeburg.

Thanks to these majestic buildings, Magdeburg is called the pearl of the “Romanesque Architecture Route” (Straße der Romanik). Opposite the Old Town, on a peninsula between the old and new flows of the Elbe, is the magnificent Rothehorn city park, laid out at the end of the 19th century.

Somewhat separated from the main attractions is the Otto von Guericke Museum. It occupies several floors of the research center of the same name. The entrance is free. The scientist’s office has been restored in the museum, and materials from his experiment with hemispheres are clearly presented.

The Magdeburg Bridge in Germany is a unique structure that serves not for cars and trains, but for barges, ships and pedestrians. This is the largest water bridge in Europe. It is of great practical importance for German inland navigation. The bridge provided unhindered communication between the inner Berlin port and industrial facilities on the Rhine. The Magdeburg Bridge passes over the Elbe and connects two of the country's most important waterways - the Central German Canal and the Elbe-Havel Canal and, thus, relieves ships of the need to make a long and sometimes dangerous journey along the river.

The construction of the bridge was planned at the beginning of the 20th century. By 1938, the first stage of the project was implemented. However, then the Second began World War, and a long break in work followed. They resumed only in 1997 and lasted for six years. In October 2003, the bridge was opened with the launch of the first barges across it. The length of the Magdeburg Bridge is 918 meters, of which 228 are over water and 690 are over land.

The richness of architectural decoration is also characteristic of another building on cathedral square Domplatz: for the Green Citadel residential complex, the latest and perhaps most remarkable brainchild of the Austrian architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The complex, decorated in the recognizable Hundertwasser style, stands out against the background of the ancient walls of the cathedral and the spacious central square Magdeburg.

Magdeburg presents colorful diversity architectural styles. City houses in Baroque, Art Nouveau, Post-Modern styles, as well as the architecture of Bruno Taut create an incredible cityscape.

Magdeburg is a very green city. The many majestic parks with ancient, incredibly tall trees, such as Rothehorn City Park or Herrenkrug Park, are ideal for long walks, bike rides or picnics.

Fans of theatre, literature and music in Magdeburg will find numerous and varied cultural events, often taking place not only in museums and salons. The city carefully preserves the memory of its natives - poet Erich Weinert, playwright Georg Kaiser and composer Georg Philipp Telemann - and continues their traditions. Unpredictable and capricious, Magdeburg is capable of touching the soul and captivating its guests forever. One of the opportunities to experience the charm of the city is to walk through the well-created cultural and entertainment landscape in the picturesque Elbauenpark.

Magdeburg was the favorite residence of Emperor Otto I the Great, who became Holy Roman Emperor in 962. Otto I loved this city so much that he even presented it to his wife Edita as a marriage gift. Residents of Magdeburg carefully preserve the memory of “their Otto.” The emperor is buried in the city Cathedral of St. Mauritius and St. Catherine, a most valuable monument of history and culture. The powerful towers of the cathedral are visible from afar. Magdeburg Cathedral is one of the most outstanding architectural monuments of Central Germany and is the first cathedral in Germany built in the Gothic style. The interior and portals of the cathedral are richly decorated with sculptural carvings. The cathedral is a recognized symbol of Magdeburg. The richness of the architectural decoration is also characteristic of another building on the Domplatz cathedral square: the residential complex "Green Citadel", the latest and perhaps most remarkable brainchild of the Austrian architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The complex, decorated in the recognizable Hundertwasser style, stands out against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral walls and the spacious central square of Magdeburg. Along with Emperor Otto I, Magdeburgers remember and honor Otto von Guericke, who also left a deep mark on the fate of the city. The great German naturalist and politician lived through difficult times here - the era of the Thirty Years' War and the years after its end. He devoted 50 years of his life to his native Magdeburg - as its architect, patron and burgomaster. Today, the exposition of his house-museum tells about the activities of Otto von Guericke. By the way, the museums of Magdeburg in last years They have simply been reborn: new public collections appear, the funds of existing museums are replenished with new outstanding objects. Several years ago, a large Technical Museum was opened in Magdeburg, on which the city spared neither money nor effort.

Museums of international rank and importance are also the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Art in the Monastery of St. Virgin Mary, located in the oldest architectural complex Magdeburg, and the Historical and Cultural Museum. But let's go back to historical Center cities. On the Alter Markt square next to the famous Magdeburg Cathedral stands another of the city's most important landmarks - the Magdeburg Horseman, the oldest free-standing equestrian statue in the region north of the Alps. Residents of Magdeburg believe that the rider on the horse is their beloved Emperor Otto I. The bronze statue is dated by historians to c. 1240. In 1967, the original statue was moved to the Historical and Cultural Museum of the city. Since then, the museum has kept it as a living memory of the famous emperor. In the center of Magdeburg there are shops for every taste. For each city resident there is 2.5 square meters. m of retail space: this is one of the best indicators in Germany. Magdeburg's gastronomic center is located around Hasselbachplatz. Numerous pubs, bars and restaurants are adjacent to the business center of the city. We recommend trying fried sausages at the famous all over Germany diner “Curry 54”. Twice a year Magdeburg hosts the city's gastronomic festival "Hassel-Night Line". These days, performances are held everywhere on the streets of the city. open air and various concerts. Fans of theatre, literature and music in Magdeburg will find numerous and varied cultural events, often taking place not only in museums and salons. The city carefully preserves the memory of its natives - poet Erich Weinert, playwright Georg Kaiser and composer Georg Philipp Telemann - and continues their traditions. Unpredictable and capricious, Magdeburg is capable of touching the soul and captivating its guests forever. One of the opportunities to experience the charm of the city is to walk through the well-created cultural and entertainment landscape in the picturesque Elbauenpark. Come to Magdeburg and see for yourself!

The Faunbrunnen fountain is located in the Old Town in Magdeburg, Germany. On the square there is a rather interesting architectural object, which is a fountain. It was installed in July 1986. A bronze vat is installed in the center. It is located, as it were, in a square protruding onto the pedestrian line. A brick pedestal in the form of steps leads to the vat. The bronze vat reaches a height of 3.2 meters.

In total, there are 22 images on the fountain. Two boys are fighting each other. A woman sits on a stool near the fountain. You can also see a dog urinating on the outside of the vat. There is a cat and a turtle. Gargoyles peek over the edge of the vat and spit water. There is a staircase attached to the structure. The character climbs into a vat with a bucket. In the middle of this basin, a sculpture in the form of a snake rises up. In 1989, an image of the Faunbrunnen fountain was printed on postage stamps.

Coordinates: 52.12809100,11.63284700

Marchenbrunnen fountain

Marchenbrunnen is a fabulous Fairy Fountain, installed 30 years ago in a residential area of ​​Magdeburg. Positive, bright, colorful - this is how you can characterize this city monument.

In 2004, a city program was carried out to reconstruct the fountains, which included Neustadter. As a result of the restoration work, the fountain acquired even brighter colors. Now he pleases not only children, but also adults.

Despite the fact that the style of the building is made in a children's theme, using fairy tale characters, adults also like to relax by the fountain. Therefore, the Fairy Fountain can be safely called the favorite attraction of Markovskaya Square, the central part of which it decorates.

Coordinates: 52.17003000,11.63211800

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St. Luke's Tower in Magdeburg

The Tower of St. Luke is located in the northeast of the former fortress of Magdeburg on the left bank of the Elbe, approximately 1 kilometer from the Old Town market square. Even today, the scale of the tower is impressive: its height is about 22 meters, its diameter is about 11 meters, and the thickness of the walls is 1.42 meters.

The tower was built in the 13th century in order to strengthen the northern wall of the city. In 1631, Emperor Tilly burst into the city through this tower and completely devastated it. A year later, the towers and bridges over the Elbe River were rebuilt by Otto von Guericke.

The tower is named St. Luke's in honor of the artistic union of the same name, whose members lived here in the 1900s. It was they who rebuilt the building as they saw fit. Next to the Tower of St. Luke there is a fragment of the city fortification wall, best preserved today.

Now in the premises of the St. Luke's Tower there is a museum with an exhibition dedicated to the activities of the scientist-inventor Guericke. In addition, temporary exhibitions and other events are held here.

Coordinates: 52.13606000,11.65080000

The most popular attractions of Magdeburg with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Magdeburg on our website.

Everyone has heard about Magdeburg, even those who do not know what country it is in. First of all, thanks to the Magdeburg Law - the autonomy that individual cities received, and which was named after the laws formed in Magdeburg in the 13th century.

Magdeburg is also known as the birthplace of the German physicist, engineer and philosopher Otto von Guericke. In 1650, he invented vacuum pumping of air, which is now used at every step. And in 1654, he conducted a famous experiment with the Magdeburg hemispheres, which many read about in physics textbooks. Two copper hemispheres were connected and the air was pumped out of them. Eight horses on each side were unable to tear the hemispheres apart, and thus the existence of atmospheric pressure was proven. There are monuments to the scientist in the city, and hemispheres can also be found everywhere, such symbols of the city. The original ones are kept in the German Museum in Munich.

Emperor Otto I the Great is also associated with the city, who chose it as his residence and founded a Benedictine monastery in 937.

The city was completely destroyed in 1945, only Dresden suffered more severely. Most of the buildings in the center were built during the GDR era and the “Soviet” trace is clearly visible in them.

Some large historical buildings have survived, although they were badly damaged. Now cathedrals and churches are the only islands of history in the old city.

However, many Soviet-era buildings are being renovated. The updated facades look much better.

The task is to build a majestic Cathedral(Cathedral of Saint Mauritius and Saint Catherine) was given by Otto I the Great in 955. Here he married his wife and soon died. His tomb is located in the cathedral. In 1207, the original building was destroyed by fire and in 1209 construction began on a new Gothic cathedral. Upstairs there is Observation deck, but you can only get there as part of an organized excursion, which takes place a couple of times a day.

The Church of St. John (941) is the oldest in the city. The western part and the Gothic rear church have been preserved from those times. Martin Luther once preached here. There is an observation deck at the top.

On the road to the station there is a monument to Igor Belikov. At that time he was a Soviet military man and served in a neighboring city. On the morning of March 13, 1969, Belikov arrived in Magdeburg and, walking along the empty streets, saw a little girl who had almost fallen out of a 6th floor window. Having reached the house, he managed to catch her in his overcoat. Now Igor Belikov lives in Lugansk and is an honorary resident of Magdeburg, he keeps in touch with Katherine, who is now 48 years old (2013).

If you cross the Elbe across the bridge, you can look at Old city from a new angle.

Drone photo

The Hubbrücke Bridge was abandoned a few years ago, but now you can walk along it.

In recent years, a new, modern area has appeared near the bridge. Magdeburg is being built very actively.

Here, attention is drawn to the huge graffiti depicting the Elbe River and all the cities through which it flows.

An interesting monument with a clock showing the time in different cities peace.

The city has a new attraction, built in 2005 - the Green Citadel by the architect Hundertwasser, about it.
More photos of Magdeburg