Germany's Most Beautiful Old Towns (1) | A Bird’s-Eye View of Old Germany — From Bamberg to Lübeck

Whether timber-framed, red-brick Gothic, or Roman buildings, Germany's historic old towns are rich in grand buildings from all eras. From the north to the south, let our flying guide take you on a journey to five old towns in Germany that are well worth seeing. One of the most famous old towns is Bamberg in Bavaria. The cityscape is shaped by timber-framed Gothic and Baroque features. The Bavarian city was built on seven hills, on each of which a church is perched. That is why it is nicknamed Franconian Rome. In 107, Henry II elevated Bamberg to the status of a bishop's see. The early medieval city structure is largely preserved in its original form. The old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Our next stop is known for marzipan, maritime history, and literature – Lübeck. Typical for the Hanseatic city are the many buildings constructed in the style of the North German red-brick Gothic from the 12th century. The old town is located on an island surrounded by the river Trave. Lübeck gained its wealth in the Middle Ages from seafaring and trade. The landmark of the city is the Holsten Gate. The structure from the 15th century was supposed to protect the city from invasion. Let's continue on to one of Germany's oldest cities. Trier. The city in Rhineland-Palatinate was founded around 16 BC by Emperor Augustus. To this day, many architectural monuments bear witness to the 400-year Roman period. One of the most impressive landmarks of the city is the Porta Nigra. The construction from the year 170 is considered the best-preserved Roman city gate. In 1986, the Roman and Christian successor buildings were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Among them is St. Peter's Cathedral, the oldest Episcopal church in Germany. This is where the vestment of Jesus is kept, the so-called Holy Robe. Quedlinburg in the Harz Mountains is considered a quintessential medieval town. The castle and the collegiate church of St. Servatius are perched on a hill. According to legend, this is where the Saxon ruler Henry was proclaimed the first German king in 919 during a bird hunt. Quedlinburg is famous for its 2,069 timber-framed buildings from eight centuries. Largely spared during the Second World War, the city increasingly fell into decline during communist East German rule. After German reunification, many buildings were restored. Since 1994, the historic old town has held the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our last stop takes us to Germany's largest body of water, Lake Constance. On its shore and surrounded by vineyards, you will find the medieval town of Meersburg. The landmark of the half-timbered town can be seen from a distance, Meersburg Castle, which was built in the 7th century and is considered the oldest inhabited castle in Germany. Whether castle kitchen, torture chamber or knight's hall, here visitors can dive into medieval castle life. And this marks the end of the first part of our flying guide to Germany's most beautiful old towns.