First mentioned in records in 805 and now the regional capital of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg has an incredible array of monuments that serve as reminders of its turbulent history. The townscape has been shaped by Magdeburg's cultural heritage and features historical monuments as well as the massive buildings dating from the period of communist town planning.

Throughout its colourful history this town on the River Elbe has been subjected to devastation and destruction and enjoyed frequent periods of prosperity, and this is still very much reflected in the current townscape. Architectural monuments dating from all the historical periods such as the imperial cathedral and Monastery of Our Lady hark back to the former glory and wealth of this former centre of imperial power.

Besides the contemporary art museum in the Monastery of Our Lady, other important museums include the Cultural History Museum with its exhibition commemorating Kaiser Otto the Great, the man who redrew the map of Europe in the early Middle Ages. The Millennium Tower in Elbauen Park has an equally exciting interactive exhibition covering 6,000 years of science and technology.