Erfurt

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Template:Infobox Town DE Image:Dom und Severikirche in Erfurt.JPG Erfurt Template:IPA is a city in central Germany. It is the capital of the state of Thuringia, and is a manufacturing centre with a population of 196,500.

Erfurt is located 100 km NE of Leipzig, 113 km west of Kassel and 180 km NW of Hanover. Erfurt Airport can be reached by plane via Munich.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Main sights
4 Culture
5 External links

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Geography

Since the Reunification of Germany, Erfurt is the main city nearest to the geographical centre of the country. It lies in the southern part of the Thüringer Becken, within the wide valley of Gera river, a tributary of the Unstrut. To the south, the city is surrounded by hills covered by woods.

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History

Erfurt was first mentioned in 742 under the name of "Erphesfurt". It was an important trading town during the Middle Ages near a ford across the Gera river. Together with the other five Thuringian woad-towns of Gotha, Tennstedt, Arnstadt and Langensalza it was the centre of the German woad trade. In 1392 Erfurt University was founded, which was famous in its time but became defunct in 1816. In 1803 Erfurt became a part of Prussia. Although enclosed by Thuringian territory, the city remained Prussian until 1945. After German reunification Erfurt became the capital of the re-established state of Thuringia.

In contrast to most other major German cities, Erfurt suffered only limited damage from allied air raids during World War II. On April 26, 2002 the student Robert Steinhäuser killed 13 teachers, 2 students, a policeman and himself at the Gutenberg-Gymnasium school (see Erfurt massacre).

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Main sights

Except for some damage resulting from socialist architecture, Erfurt has maintained an intact medieval city centre.

Erfurt is symbolised by the two churches, the Mariendom and the Severikirche, which stand directly side by side and together form the emblem of the city. Both churches tower above the townscape and are accessible via huge open stairs.

Another remarkable site is the Krämerbrücke, a bridge crossing the narrow Gera River. The bridge is covered with inhabited buildings. It was built in 1325 with a church on either bridgehead, one of which still exists.

The Augustinerkloster is an ancient Augustinian monastery.

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