Welcome to Magdeburg Welcome to Magdeburg

River and Greenery –
the State Capital of Magdeburg
Domfelsen rock formation and Elbe River
www.magdeburg-tourist.de, www.sachsen-anhalt.de
The university and cathedral city of Magdeburg is the state capital
of Saxony-Anhalt. It is a modern city with a history dating back
1,200 years. As a residence of Otto the Great, a Hanseatic city and
a Prussian fortress, the city along the Elbe River grew in importance
within Europe, even though it was repeatedly devastated by war.
One place of interest in the city on the Elbe is the Magdeburg Cathedral,
burial place of the first German emperor Otto the Great and the
oldest Gothic cathedral in Germany. The city hall, the Romanesque
Convent “of Our Lady” now home to an art museum, the “Lukasklause”
housing the Otto von Guericke Museum, baroque architecture surrounding
Hasselbachplatz Square and the partially restored fortification
and city walls are also a testament to the city’s history and are
well worth seeing.
Visitors to the city are also excited by buildings from more recent
times. The Green Citadel in Magdeburg is one of the last buildings
designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Numerous
parks and green areas can be found throughout Magdeburg - one of
the greenest cities in Germany. Two of the most well-known and favourite
parks are the Rotehorn city park on the Elbe island and the
Otto the Great (Magdeburg Equestrian/Cultural Museum),
Green Citadel, monastery gardens
Herrenkrug Park, designed at the beginning of the 19 th century by
landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné (1779–1866) and inspired by
English landscape gardens.
The Gruson Greenhouses house a botanical collection that dates
back to a 19 th century Magdeburg industrialist. The Magdeburg Zoo is
home to more than 600 animals. The Millennium Tower in the Elbauen
Park is a reminder of the 1999 National Garden Show. Many openair
events take place here during the summer including the “Ballonglühen”
along the banks of the Elbe where glowing hot air balloons
take to the air. A horse race track and golf course are adjacent to the
park. The Elbe River landscape and cycle paths offer many opportunities
to discover and enjoy nature.
Other great destinations are not far from the city, including four
UNESCO World Heritage and Natural Heritage sites and the nearby
Harz mountains. At the same time, Magdeburg is a lively city with excellent
shopping, diverse cultural and sporting activities, and a wide
range of restaurants.
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