Beautiful Popular Landmark Tourist Attractions in Germany

According to the German Tourism Association these eight buildings are the most visited landmark tourist attractions in Germany.

The list is for landmark buildings only and does not include places like the Black Forest or the city of Berlin or Europa-Park which in total probably see more tourists than these landmark buildings. All of these beautiful buildings are popular tourist attractions in Germany today and all have fascinating rich histories and are well worth seeing by anyone traveling to Germany. Indeed a trip to Germany will not be complete for tourists without seeing these beautiful landmark tourist attractions.

Cologne Cathedral 

 

The beautiful Cologne Cathedral is visited by over 7 million tourists a year. That works out to an astonishing 20,000 visitors per day. Cologne Cathedral was built from 1248 to 1880 and has the 2nd tallest church spires in the world. Located in Cologne, Germany this Roman Catholic church is the 15th largest church in the world today.

The Reichstag

The Reichstag building is located in Berlin and was built from 1884 to 1894 for the purpose of housing the parliament of Germany called the Reichstag. A purpose the building filled until 1933 when a fire in the building was used as an excuse by the Nazis to essentially ignore and override the Reichstag or Parliament of Germany. After the fire the Reichstag building became a ruin until it was repaired in 1961-1964 and then renovated to its present glorious form in 1992. When the Berlin Wall fell and the the country of Germany was unified in 1990 the unification ceremony was held at the Reichstag building which is located close to the wall in what was West Berlin. Today the magnificent Reichstag building is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Berlin.

Hofbrauhaus in Munich 

Hofbrauhaus is a large brewery or beer hall in Munich owned by the state government that receives some 1.8 million visitors per year most of whom come to the brewery building beer hall in the fall for the Oktoberfest. The original brewery building or Hofbrauhaus am Platzl dates dates back to 1607. The beer hall building was completely remodeled in 1897 and then again in 1958 and only serves its own brewed beer and is located right in the heart of Munich not far from most hotels so tourists celebrating Oktoberfest do not have to travel far while loaded up with beer.

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle is a massive ruin of a medieval castle sitting on a hillside overlooking the city of Heidelberg in southwestern Germany. The original castle dates back to before 1200 and from that time until the 1700’s Heidelberg Castle was home to a number of kings and royalty and was often being rebuilt or destroyed depending upon who was in power and how good they were at holding off their enemies. Heidelberg Castle has been a tourist attraction for a long time at least since the 1800’s when French writer Victor Hugo fell in love with the place and wrote about its history. Today renovations are ongoing at the castle which is visited by some 3 million tourists per year. The castle is also a popular wedding spot and a magnificent architectural structure to behold.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria

Neuschwanstein Castle is a spectacular Romanesque Revival building located atop a rugged hilltop in southwestern Bavaria, Germany. The castle was built beginning in 1869 by King Ludwig II as a temple of friendship to his friend the German composer and conductor Richard Wagner whose music the king loved. King Ludwig died in 1886 having lived in the castle for only 174 days and Wagner who died in 1883 never even stepped foot in Neuschwanstein Castle. As soon as the king died the castle was opened up to tourists and at least 60 million people have visited Neuschwanstein Castle. Today some 1.3 million people visit Neuschwanstein Castle which was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castles at Disney theme parks.

Zwinger Palace in Dresden

Zwinger Palace is a magnificent German Baroque building located in the city of Dresden in eastern Germany. Zwinger Palace was built beginning in 1710 for Frederick Augustus also known as Frederick the Strong who had visited Louis XIV at the Palace of Versailles and wanted a similar palace for himself. Zwinger Palace suffered great damage during WW II but has since been rebuilt and today is a beautiful tourist attraction in Germany that draws well over 1 million visitors per year.

Fernsehturm Tower in Berlin 

The Fernsehturm Tower is a 1,207 foot high observation tower that is a very popular tourist attraction located in the center of the city of Berlin, Germany. The tower was built from 1965-1969 by the East German Communist Government as a symbol of East Berlin and a television tower. Ironically the Fernsehturm Tower became something of an embarrassment to the Communists who did not believe in religion because when the sun shines on the stainless steel dome of the tower the reflection forms a very visible cross.

Today over 1 million people a year visit the Fernsehturm Tower which has two elevators to lift the tourists up to the observation deck for fantastic views of Berlin and as far away as 26 miles on a clear day. There is also a rotating restaurant where visitors can eat with a fabulous view.

Aachen Cathedral or the Imperial Cathedral 

The Aachen Cathedral which is also called the Imperial Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in western Germany in the city of Aachen. Built beginning in 792 by the Emperor Charlemagne the Aachen Cathedral was renovated around 1100 and restored in 1881. When Charlemagne died in 814 his remains were placed in a vault in Aachen Cathedral with Charlemagne’s body placed sitting on a throne with a golden crown on his head and holding a scepter in his gloved hand. His remains were placed in a casket in the vault in 1215. Aachen Cathedral was the church of coronation for 30 kings and 12 queens which earned it the name of Imperial Cathedral. Today the Aachen Cathedral is a very popular tourist attraction in Germany that sees over 1 million visitors per year.

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Posted in: Germany,museums