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Contact : WEICHLEIN TOURS + INCENTIVES
Day 1 Arrival at Frankfurt airport and drive North to Goslar (about 4 hrs driving time)
Mines of Rammelsberg and Historic Town of Goslar - UNESCO SITE SINCE 1992
1,000 years of mining history are documented in the museum at the disused mines of Rammelsberg which were closed in 1988. Now a visitor mine, it is one of the largest museums in Germany with numerous mining industry artefacts from various historical periods on display: the slag heaps (10th century), the Rathstiefste Stollen mine (one of the oldest and best-preserved mines in Germany, 12th century), the Feuergezäher Gewölbe (the oldest, brick-lined underground chamber in Europe, 13th century), the Maltermeisterturm (the oldest surface mining building in Germany, 15th century), the Roeder Stollen mine (18th/19th century) with two original water wheels and the impressive open-cast mines (early 20th century). Goslar's history and development were shaped by the rich Rammelsberg silver and copper ore deposits, which led to Emperor Heinrich II setting up his imperial court in the Palatinate at the beginning of the 11th century; with the first imperial assembly in Goslar taking place in 1009. Until 1253, Goslar was a royal seat for German kings and emperors. The well-preserved heart of the medieval town of Goslar occupies a very confined space, just one square kilometre. The magnificent imperial palace was built in the Romanesque style and for many centuries its was the largest and safest fortress of the Saxon and Salian emperors. Goslar was a centre for Christian faith, otherwise known as the "Rome of the North". The towers of the 47 churches and chapels form the unique skyline of the town. The townscape is dominated by the venerable town hall on the market square, a variety of guildhalls and numerous, supremely crafted timber-framed town houses.
Overnight Goslar
Day 2 More sightseeing of Goslar in the morning before travelling to Quedlinburg (driving time about 1 hrs)
Old Town of Quedlinburg - UNESCO SITE SINCE 1994
Quedlinburg, an important royal and imperial town in the Middle Ages, is one of Germany's foremost heritage sites. Situated on the Romanesque Route, it is a fine example of a beautifully preserved medieval town. Its historic layout boasts a wealth of art nouveau architecture and over 1,300 timber-framed houses from a period spanning eight centuries. One of the oldest of these buildings, which dates back to around 1340, houses the medieval architecture museum. The Collegiate Church of St Servatius, burial site of the first German king Henry I and his wife Mathilde, the renowned cathedral treasury and St. Wigbert's Crypt are masterpieces of Romanesque architecture and a legacy of the Saxonian-Ottonian ruling dynasty. The world heritage site also embraces the old town, St. Wigbert's Church and Burgberg and Münzenberg hill.
Overnight Quedlinburg
Day 3 Morning visit of Quedlinburg Drive West to Hildesheim (approx. 1,5-2 hrs driving time) Overnight Hildesheim
Day 4 St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim - UNESCO SITE SINCE 1985
St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Michael's Church are outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture and exceptional repositories of religious art from the Holy Roman Empire. They exemplify the creative skill of Bishop Bernward and are blessed with a wealth of famous historical art treasures. St. Mary's Cathedral with its triple-naved basilica is one of the oldest episcopal churches in Germany. It is also home to a unique collection of medieval treasures, including the finest bronze castings of the early Middle Ages - the Column of Christ and the Bernward doors. St. Michael's Church is considered a masterpiece of medieval architecture. A 1,000 year old rose tree grows by the apse of St. Mary's Cathedral, Hildesheim's signature attraction. According to legend it is closely linked with the origins of the diocese and the town. The pièce de résistance of the interior is the painted wooden ceiling, an enchanting example of Romanesque monumental painting.
Overnight Hildesheim
Day 5 From Hildesheim to Bremen (driving time about 2 hrs) Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen - UNESCO SITE SINCE 2004
Bremen Town Hall and the Roland statue symbolise the rise of the Hanseatic League, which the city joined in 1358. Both are unique representations of the rise in autonomy and granting of market rights enjoyed by European townsfolk in the Holy Roman Empire. The Town Hall is a fine example of architecture as a symbol of freedom. It was built in the 15th century in Gothic style, and embellished with a Weser Renaissance façade in the early 17th century. Towering at around 5.5 metres, the stone statue on market square known as the "Roland" was erected in 1404 as an emblem of Hanseatic freedom. It is said to be the oldest statue in Germany still in its original location.
Overnight Bremen
Day 6 From Bremen to Lübeck (driving time about 2,5 hrs) The Hanseatic City of Lübeck - UNESCO SITE SINCE 2004
Lübeck, the Queen of the Hanseatic League, was founded in 1143 as the "first western city on the Baltic coast". Surrounded by water on all sides, the old town has a historic centre dominated by seven church steeples. It was inscribed on the World Heritage list because of its superb brick Gothic architecture. The remarkable Holstein Gate is the defining feature of the Lübeck skyline. Built between 1464 and 1478 with walls which are 3.5m thick in places, it is one of the best-known and best-preserved town gates from the late Middle Ages. The archaeological riches found beneath Lübeck old town provide researchers with an important insight into medieval town life.
Overnight Lübeck
Day 7 Stay another day in Lübeck Overnight Lübeck
Day 8 Transfer to Hamburg for departure flight
- Or add another week and travel to the East-Sea:
Day 8 Transfer from Lübeck to Wismar (driving time approx. 1,5 hrs) The Historic Centre of Wismar - UNESCO SITE SINCE 2002
Medieval Wismar, a member of the Hanseatic League, is the only town of its size on the southern Baltic that remains virtually intact. Back to the 14th and 15th century, it was an important Hanseatic coastal trading post. The historical old harbour, the man-made "Grube" stream, the surviving layout of streets and squares, the impressive red-brick ecclesiastic architecture and the medieval warehouses and town houses are authentic reminders of Wismar's importance in Hanseatic times. The architectural heritage of the market square, the three monumental Gothic churches and other impressive monuments contribute to the World Heritage site's inimitable appeal.
Possible overnight in Schwerin Schwerin - Pearl of the lakes (but no UNESCO heritage site)
A profusion of water and forests, cultural treasures and a fascinating old quarter are the hallmarks of Schwerin, formerly a ducal town, now the capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Schwerin's remarkable fairy-tale castle in a fabulous setting is the town's most famous landmark. Schwerin is the ideal location for a relaxing holiday with plenty to do.
Day 9 Stay in this area Overnight Wismar or Schwerin
Day 10 Travel to Stralsund (driving time approx. 2,5 hrs) The Historic Centre of Stralsund - UNESCO SITE SINCE 2002
Situated between the Strela Sound and a number of lakes dammed up in the 13th century, the Baltic town of Stralsund has a unique island character that emphasises the medieval charm of its historic centre. As a member of the Hanseatic League, Stralsund played an important role in the rise of religious architecture and the Gothic brick-built style. The architectural heritage in the old town is typical of an established Hanseatic town during the trading alliance's 14th century heyday. Its medieval layout remains unaltered and illustrates how maritime trading towns were arranged under Lübeck
Overnight Stralsund
Day 11 Travel from Stralsund to Berlin (driving time approx. 3-3.5 hrs Overnight Berlin
Day 12 Berlin stay Berlin Museum Island UNESCO SITE SINCE 1999
A "temple city of the arts" lies in the centre of Berlin on an island in the River Spree. The Old Museum designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and built in 1830 was the first building on Berlin Museum Island and the first public museum in Prussia. Then followed the New Museum in 1859, the Old National Gallery in 1876, the Bode Museum in 1904 and the Pergamon Museum in 1930. The only collection of museums of its kind in the world with its five temple-like buildings houses treasures from six thousand years of the history of mankind. At the heart of the museum scene in Berlin and the largest cultural investment project in Europe, Berlin Museum Island became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The Old National Gallery with masterpieces from the 19th century reopened in December 2001. The spectacular reopening of the Bode Museum in October 2006 with its collections of sculptures and Byzantine art became an unexpected hit with the public. In the coming years, the remaining buildings on Museum Island will be gradually restored and remodelled with a new spacious, central entrance area and underground connecting passages. This unique collection of museums will then exhibit a cultural and historical panorama in all its glory, spanning from Ancient Egypt to the end of the 19th century, from Nefertiti and the Pergamon altar to the German and French impressionist
Overnight Berlin
Day 13 Departure flight from Berlin
Contact : WEICHLEIN TOURS + INCENTIVES
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