Erfurt was first mentioned in written sources in the 8th Century. Due to its favourable location, it became an important trade centre during the Middle Ages. It was frequented by Emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa) in the 12th Century. King Rudolph I chose it for his residence in 1289-1290. Erfurt’s university was founded in the late 14th Century, and remained a prestigious educational institution until the early 19th Century. Martin Luther was its most illustrious graduate. The University was reopened in 1994, and now boasts a library of two million books and periodicals.

From 1803 to 1945, Erfurt was part of Prussia. In 1808, it was the site of a meeting between Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Napoleon. After World War II, it was part of East Germany, and after Germany’s reunification in 1989, the city became the centre of the re-established state of Thuringia.

Erfurt is also known as the 'city of bridges', having as many as 216 of them, spanning the Gera and its many small tributaries and reminding somewhat of Venice. The Krämerbrücke (Merchants’ Bridge) is the most famous of all, dating back to 1325 and lined with inhabited buildings. There used to be a church at each bridgehead; one of them still stands. The houses contain art galleries, antique and wine shops, proudly   contributing to the bridge’s Medieval atmosphere.

At the time of Martin Luther, Erfurt contained 25 churches and was praised as the 'city of towers'. Many of them can still be seen today in the historical old quarter. The city’s emblematic building ensemble consists of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Mariendom) and the Church of St. Severus (Severikirche), standing side by side. They are magnificent examples of Gothic architecture. The Cathedral is the home of the 15th-Century Queen of Bells, famous all over Europe for its sound. It contains 13 stained-glass windows that are considered masterpieces of Medieval art.