Where is the city of Magdeburg? Magdeburg is the oldest city in eastern Germany. Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Magdeburg

The Central German Canal connects it with the Rhine and Ruhr rivers.

It stands on the flat banks of the river, in many places overgrown with trees, descending directly to the water with a green border. There is generally a lot of greenery here - large parks, spacious fields and modest squares between residential buildings.

Story

The museum houses stone axes made in these places by Early Paleolithic people about 150 thousand years ago. At the end of the Bronze Age and at the beginning of the Iron Age, the area was inhabited by Celts, in 1 thousand BC. e. replaced by Germans who came from the north. In the 3rd century. The Saxons settled here and created a tribal duchy. Saxon Wars 772-804 ended with the submission of the Saxons to the Frankish king Charlemagne.

And already in 805 the first written mention of Magdeburg as Magadoburg appears. At that time it consisted of two streets and a small number of residential buildings in the area of ​​the old bridge over the Elbe. Intending to make it an outpost on the border of the kingdom, in 919 the first king of the East Frankish kingdom, Henry I the Birdcatcher, built strong fortifications to protect against the tribes of the Slavs and Hungarians.

Magdeburg began to play an important role in European politics starting in 929, when the son of Henry I - Otto I - married Edith, the daughter of the English king Edward the Elder, and Magdeburg became a wedding gift from his father-in-law to his young daughter-in-law.

In 936, Otto I became king of Germany, and in 962 - emperor of the Holy Roman Empire he created, making Magdeburg the imperial residence.

Its economic recovery began in 965: the Benedictine monastery of St. Mauritius received the right to hold a market, mint coins, and collect customs duties and taxes. Its influence increased even more when in 968 it became the center of an archbishopric.

In 1035, Magdeburg received a patent to hold fairs, and traders from all over Europe flocked here. Crafts developed, corporations of tailors, tanners, and shoemakers were formed (high-quality shoe factories still operate there today).

Local businessmen no longer wanted the power of the archbishop. Thus, gradually, by 1188, the first city law in Europe - Magdeburg law - was formed. The townspeople elected the magistrate, appointed the burgomaster and the staff of municipal institutions, and determined the rules of trade. Taking this as a model, Magdeburg law spread throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

In the 13th century The city had 20 thousand inhabitants, it is one of the largest in the empire. From 1295 (and until 1666) it was a member of the Hanseatic League of German cities and was called the “grain house of the Hanse,” having a monopoly on grain trading on the middle Elbe.

In the first half of the 16th century. sided with Martin Luther, abandoning Catholicism and gaining a reputation as a stronghold of Protestantism.

The economy was seriously undermined by the Thirty Years' War of 1618-1648: in 1631, the troops of the Catholic League almost completely destroyed it, about 30,000 inhabitants died.

It was subsequently besieged by the armies of Napoleon I Bonaparte in 1806, first by Prussian and then by Russian troops in 1813.

Since the 19th century it is one of the medium-sized German commercial and industrial cities.

During World War II, it was subjected to particularly intense bombing by Allied aircraft: military factories operated there. The old part was destroyed by 90%.

Since 1990, after the reunification of Germany, Magdeburg has been the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

The historical core of the city is the Old Market Square, to which streets flow from the north, west and south. And to the east is the Elbe embankment. In the old days, the streets were the end of trade roads that led to the fair in Magdeburg, and the Elbe was a river route, and it remained that way.

The ashes of the one without whom Magdeburg could have remained forever a quiet provincial German town are buried under the cathedral.

Historical center - Old town, stretching along the left bank of the Elbe. In the past, surrounded by fortified walls and towers. Today, ruins remain in the Fürstenwal area and part of the tower of St. Luke. The early Romanesque tower that underlies it is mentioned in the Magdeburg Chronicle of 1279. Subsequently, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today it houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the physicist Otto von Guericke, who glorified the city.

In the north of the Old Town is the main Old Market Square. In 1283, a town hall was built on it. During Thirty Years' War destroyed and restored only in 1945, preserving architecture XVII V. The composition of the town hall highlights the ancient bronze gates and the bell tower with 47 bells.

In front of the town hall in the stone rotunda is a bronze gilded equestrian statue, presumably of Emperor Otto I the Great. The townspeople nicknamed her the Magdeburg Horseman. This is a copy of the original. The original is in the Historical and Cultural Museum, in the hall of Emperor Otto.

Not far from the town hall is the Church of St. John, built in the early 12th century. It is considered the oldest temple here (the first mention dates back to 941), although after the past wars nothing has survived from the early Romanesque building, and now it is a Gothic building with numerous alterations and reconstructions. After restoration in the 1990s. a concert and ceremonial hall has been opened there.

In the south - Cathedral Square, on it rises architectural symbol Magdeburg - Cathedral of Saints Mauritius and Catherine, considered one of the earliest Gothic buildings in Germany. In 937, the future Holy Roman Emperor Otto I founded the monastery of St. Mauritius, and in 950 began construction of the residence and cathedral. It was built over several centuries, the first building burned down, the second was completed at the beginning of the 14th century. and then further construction was completed in the 16th century. The architecture of the cathedral - the only one remaining from the early monastic complex - contains both High German Gothic and - reflecting the periods of its construction - features of Late Romanesque and all stages of the development of Gothic architecture.

The cathedral houses numerous works of art and often hosts concerts of sacred music. Here, in the crypt under the altar, is the burial of King Otto I the Great, from whom the glory and wealth of Magdeburg began, and the sarcophagus of his first wife Edith. Two towers about 100 m high appeared in 1477. The work was completed in 1520 with the erection of an ornamental cross on the north tower. The cathedral hosts concerts of sacred music, including on the organ installed in 2008.

There are buildings of rather strange architecture or intricately painted ones. They appeared relatively recently: for example, the Green Citadel. This is probably how residents are trying to get rid of the dull and faceless architectural heritage of the GDR era: after World War II, the city was built according to standard designs. There are also several very unusual fountains - with devils, goats and birds. And in Magdeburg there are many statues with naked girls - a visual and sensual reminder of one of the versions of the origin of its name.

Economically, Magdeburg is the center of heavy engineering in Germany, the leather, footwear and clothing industry, a large transport hub and a river port.

General information

Location : northeast Germany.
Administrative location and status : administrative center state of Saxony-Anhalt.
Administrative division : 40 districts.
First mention : 805 g.
Language: German.
Ethnic composition : Germans.
Religions: Protestantism, Catholicism, Islam, atheism.
Currency : euro.
Nearest major airports : in Berlin and Leipzig.

Numbers

Square: 200.95 km 2 .
Population: 235,723 people (2015).
Population density : 1173 people/km 2 .
The most high point : 55 m (center).
Cathedral : length - 120 m, ceiling height - 32 m, height of the North tower - 104 m (South - 99.25 m).

Climate and weather

Moderate oceanic with continental features.
Average January temperature : -0.5°C.
Average temperature in July : +17.5°C.
Average annual precipitation : about 500 mm.
Average annual relative humidity : 65-75%.

Economy

Industry: electrical engineering, metalworking, precision instrument making, chemical (paint and varnish), pharmaceutical, light (leather and footwear, sewing), food.
Transport hub and river port.
Service sector: tourism, transport, trade.

Attractions

Historical

Remains of the Kleve bastion (XVI century)

St. Luke's Tower (restored 1632, rebuilt 1900)

Cult

Early Gothic Cathedral of St. Mauritius and Catherine (1209-1520)

Gothic Walloon Church (founded 1285, rebuilt 1366)

Chapel of Mary Magdalene (founded in 1315, reconstruction at the beginning of the 18th century and after 1945)

Church of St. John (restored after 1945, restored in the 1990s)

Architectural

Old Town Hall (reconstruction 1960-1970s)

Millennium Tower (exhibition halls, 1999)

Star Bridge (2004)

Experimental residential building "Green Citadel" (2005)

Old Market Square, Cathedral Square and Hasselbach Square

Cultural

In 1657, an experiment was conducted in Magdeburg that clearly demonstrated the existence of air pressure. A similar experiment was carried out earlier, but in the history of science it remained known as the Magdeburg Hemisphere. The German physicist Otto von Guericke (1602-1686) pumped air out of the cavity between two copper hemispheres with a diameter of 35.5 cm folded together. The pressure of the external atmosphere pressed the hemispheres so tightly against each other that 16 horses, 8 each, could not tear them apart. on everyone's part. The original hemispheres are kept in the Deutsches Museum in Munich. Their copies are placed like monuments on pedestals in different areas.

There is no consensus of opinion in the scientific community regarding the interpretation of the meaning of the name Magadoburg. It is not even clear from what language it should be translated. Some suggest using Frankish dialects, and then the name can be understood as “big (powerful) castle.” A more widespread version of the translation is from Old High German, and then it would mean “Maiden City”: from “magat” (which also means “nymph”).

Having lost tax income and virtually all power in the city, the archbishops opposed Magdeburg Law. Conflicts arose. In 1325, for example, Archbishop Burchard III was killed. It ended with the clergy retreating, and in 1503 Archbishop Ernst II of Saxony moved his residence from Magdeburg to Halle.

Holy Roman Emperor Otto I the Great claimed succession to the Roman emperors, which he sought to emphasize in any possible way. So, he ordered to deliver for cathedral Magdeburg columns from ancient times and install them in the choir of the cathedral.

Above the Gates of Paradise - the northern entrance of the cathedral - there is a stone image of a shepherd and dogs. Legend says that in the second half of the 13th century. The construction of the cathedral stopped due to lack of funds, but was resumed thanks to a gold treasure found by the shepherd Thomas Coppele. In gratitude, his image is placed above the entrance to the cathedral.

Roland of Magdeburg is a sandstone figure 4.8 m high. Behind his back, for contrast, is a small figurine of Till Eulenspiegel, a hero of medieval Dutch and German folklore.

Magdeburg is a city at the intersection of the Elbe canals, has a large inland port and is an industrial and shopping center. The bombing of World War II and the socialist system affected appearance Magdeburg, and only a few buildings remain of its former luxury.

Founded in 1200, it remains one of the oldest German cities and is home to Germany's first Gothic cathedral. He is also the second most green city countries. Like Magdeburg itself, the river has changed significantly. The Elbe is now an important artery lined with beaches, cafes, bars, beer gardens and cycling paths.

View of the architecture of Magdeburg, in the foreground is the sculpture “Year ’65” by Jenny Mucci-Wigmann, Germany (Photo© Hoger / commons.wikimedia.org / License CC-BY-SA-3.0-DE)

Overview of the main attractions of Magdeburg

Due to severe destruction in 1631 during the Thirty Years' War and during the Second World War, Magdeburg retains significantly fewer historical attractions than others German cities. Many monuments of architecture, art and culture were destroyed. Only thanks to large financial investments were monuments of architecture and art restored, including the city hall, the Magdeburg Horseman, the cathedral or monastery of Our Lady.

Popular places to eat in Magdeburg

Local culinary favorites include pork knuckle with sauerkraut, mashed peas and boiled potatoes, onion sausage, dark gravy with mixed mince and baked potatoes, and Pottsuse, a mixture of pork, lard and spices.

Things to do in Magdeburg

City of Magdeburg on the banks of the Elbe River, Germany (Photo above © Carlarocaoporto / commons.wikimedia.org / License CC-BY-SA-3.0)

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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 Markov Square, central part which he 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

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