Erlangen is renowned for its university and as a centre of medicine. It is a town with many faces – a kind of "Franconian Berkeley", a centre for high-tech development, a Huguenot town and a magnet for culture lovers. Erlangen has a tradition of tolerance and is liberal in outlook. During the 17th century Huguenots fleeing from France found refuge in the town. The university was established, the Siemens company arrived – and the rest is history. Today Erlangen is home to people of 180 different nationalities, a fact that is reflected in its easy-going approach to life.

Erlangen is one of the best preserved of German towns, with baroque-style streets laid out in a rectangular arrangement. Together with the Huguenot Church and the Margravial Palace, the design is an outstanding example of architectural cohesion. Many visitors to Erlangen wonder about the huge map pins that are dotted all over the town. The idea of this project is to draw attention to historical buildings around town.

Housed in the town hall in the old quarter, Erlangen's municipal museum documents the history of the town. International contemporary art is the subject of the exhibitions in the municipal gallery.