Erfurt is Thuringia's largest city. It has one of the best-preserved medieval town centres in Germany, a delightful blend of wealthy patrician townhouses and fine half-timbered buildings. One of Erfurt's most distinctive sights is the Merchants' Bridge, the longest bridge in Europe to have houses along its entire length.Cathedral Hill (Domberg) with St. Mary's Cathedral and the Church of St. Severus
Impressive ensemble of two Catholic churches and grand steps leading to Cathedral Square (Domplatz) St Mary's Cathedral replaced the church built on this site by Bishop Boniface in 742 with its cycle of stained-glass windows (14th century) and huge "Gloriosa“ bell (1497). St. Severus (1280) is a five-nave Gothic hall church which houses the sarcophagus of St Severus. The church and the cathedral are Erfurt's most famous landmarks.Merchants' Bridge
The longest bridge in Europe to have inhabited houses built all the way across it, and one of Erfurt's most fascinating secular structures. First built in wood, and then rebuilt in stone in 1325, the 120 metre long Merchants' Bridge originally had 62 narrow houses which were later merged to form 32 houses. Of the two churches built at either end of the bridge, only St. Giles Church at the eastern end survives.Augustinian Monastery and Luther Memorial
The Augustinian Monastery was built in 1277 and its priceless stained glass-windows date from the 14th century. Martin Luther lived here from 1505 to 1511 as a monk. The Augustinian Monastery commemorates Martin Luther with its "Bible, Monastery, Luther“ exhibition. The Lutherzelle (Luther’s cell) can be visited as part of the exhibition. Today, the monastery is used as an ecumenical events forum and conference centre.