Editing Erfurt (section)

== Culture, sights and cityscape ==

=== Residents notable in cultural history ===
{{see also|List of people from Erfurt}}

The theologian, philosopher and mystic [[Meister Eckhart]] (c. 1260–1328) entered the [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] monastery ({{lang|de|Predigerkloster}}) in Erfurt when he was aged about 18 (around 1275). Eckhart was the Dominican [[Prior (ecclesiastical)|prior]] at Erfurt from 1294 until 1298, and Vicar of Thuringia from 1298 to 1302. After a year in Paris, he returned to Erfurt in 1303 and administered his duties as Provincial of Saxony from there until 1311.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.meister-eckhart-erfurt.de/predigerkloster |title=Predigerkloster. Die Predigerkirche und das Predigerkloster als Heimat von Meister Eckhart |website=meister-eckhart-erfurt.de |publisher=Evangelische Predigergemeinde Erfurt |access-date=2022-05-27 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307171104/https://www.meister-eckhart-erfurt.de/predigerkloster |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Martin Luther]] (1483–1546) studied law and philosophy at the [[University of Erfurt]] from 1501. He lived in [[St. Augustine's Monastery (Erfurt)|St&nbsp;Augustine's Monastery]] in Erfurt, as a friar from 1505 to 1511.<ref name="augustinerkloster.de">{{Cite web |url=http://www.augustinerkloster.de/en.html |title=Augustinerkloster |access-date=31 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205224722/http://www.augustinerkloster.de/en.html |archive-date=5 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Johann Pachelbel]] (1653–1706) served as organist at the {{lang|de|[[Predigerkirche (Erfurt)|Predigerkirche]]}} (Preachers Church) in Erfurt from June 1678 until August 1690. Pachelbel composed approximately seventy pieces for organ while in Erfurt.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The city is the birthplace of one of [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]'s cousins, [[Johann Bernhard Bach]],<ref name="Laurson 2017 o445">{{cite web | last=Laurson | first=Jens F. | title=Classical CD Of The Week: Who Is Johann Bernhard Bach? | website=Forbes | date=July 26, 2017 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/07/26/classical-cd-of-the-week-who-is-johann-bernhard-bach/?sh=3bfe01fc297d | access-date=February 10, 2024}}</ref> as well as Johann Sebastian Bach's father [[Johann Ambrosius Bach]].<ref name="Bach_Oxford">{{cite web |title=Overview: Bach |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Oxford Reference |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095439206 |access-date=2024-02-09 |quote=Johann Ambrosius Bach (b Erfurt, 1645; d Eisenach, 1695)}}</ref> Bach's parents were married in 1668 in the {{lang|de|[[Kaufmannskirche]]}} (Merchant's Church) that still exists on the main square of {{lang|de|Anger}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blazeski |first=Goran |date=2018-04-06 |title=Krämerbrücke, the beautiful 600-year-old Merchant's Bridge, packed with half-timbered buildings {{!}} The Vintage News |url=https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/04/06/kramerbrucke-merchants-bridge-2/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=thevintagenews |language=en}}</ref>

[[Alexander Müller (composer)|Alexander Müller]] (1808–1863), pianist, conductor and composer, was born in Erfurt. He later moved to [[Zürich]] where he served as leader of the General Music Society's subscription concerts series.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

[[Max Weber]] (1864–1920) was born in Erfurt.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lehmann |first=Hartmut |title=Weber's Protestant Ethic |publisher=Cambridge University Press |date=1995 |page=118}}</ref> He was a sociologist, philosopher, lawyer, and political economist whose ideas have profoundly influenced modern social theory and social research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Max Weber - Sociology, Bureaucracy, Capitalism {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Max-Weber-German-sociologist/Later-works |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

After 1906 the composer [[Richard Wetz]] (1875–1935) lived in Erfurt and became the leading person in the city's musical life. His major works were written here, including three symphonies, a Requiem and a [[Christmas Oratorio]].

The textile designer [[Margaretha Reichardt]] (1907–1984) was born and died in Erfurt. She studied at the [[Bauhaus]] from 1926 to 1930,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Korn |first=Ingolf |date=2012 |editor=Margaretha Reichardt-Haus |title=Bauhaus Reisebuch |isbn=978-3-8321-9411-6 |publisher=Dumont Buchverlag |page=74}}</ref> and while there worked with [[Marcel Breuer]] on his innovative chair designs. Her former home and weaving workshop in Erfurt, the ''Margaretha Reichardt Haus'', is now a museum, managed by the [[Angermuseum]] Erfurt.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Famous contemporary musicians from Erfurt are [[Clueso]], the [[Boogie Pimps]] and [[Yvonne Catterfeld]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clueso - Biography |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1859549/bio/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Museums ===
Erfurt has a great variety of museums:

* The ''{{lang|de|Stadtmuseum}}'' (municipal museum) shows aspects of Erfurt's history with a focus on the Middle Ages, early modern history, Martin Luther and the university. Other parts of the {{lang|de|Stadtmuseum}} are the ''{{lang|de|Neue Mühle}}'' (new mill), an old water mill still in operation, and the ''{{lang|de|Benaryspeicher}}'' (Benary's magazine) with an exhibition of old printing machines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Destinations: Erfurt, Germany |url=https://www.letsgotravelling.com.au/dest-erfurt.html |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.letsgotravelling.com.au}}</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Alte Synagoge}}'' ([[Old Synagogue (Erfurt)|Old Synagogue]]) is one of the oldest synagogue buildings in Europe.<ref name=altsyn>Jewish Life in Erfurt. Old synagogue. [http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/middle-ages/old_synagogue/index.html Jewish Life in Erfurt. Old synagogue.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031151947/http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/middle-ages/old_synagogue/index.html |date=31 October 2016 }} Retrieved 31 October 2016</ref> It is now a museum of local Jewish history. It houses facsimiles of medieval Hebrew manuscripts and the [[Erfurt Treasure]], a hoard of coins and goldsmiths' work that is assumed to have belonged to Jews who hid them in 1349 at the time of the [[Erfurt massacre (1349)|Black Death pogroms]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neues Welterbe würdigt jüdisch-mittelalterliche Monumente Erfurts |trans-title=New world heritage site recognises the Jewish Middle Ages monuments of Erfurt |url=https://www.unesco.de/kultur-und-natur/welterbe/welterbe-deutschland/neues-welterbe-2023 |access-date=1 September 2024 |website=Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission}}</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Erinnerungsort Topf & Söhne}}'' ([[Topf and Sons]] memorial) is on the site of the factory of the company which constructed crematoria for [[Auschwitz]] and other concentration camps. Its exhibitions explore the collaboration of a civilian company with the National Socialist regime in [[the Holocaust]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Topf & Sons - Builders of the Auschwitz Ovens Place of Remembrance |url=https://www.topfundsoehne.de/ts/en/index.html |access-date=1 September 2024 |website=Topf & Sons - Builders of the Auschwitz Ovens}}</ref>
* [[Memorial and Education Centre Andreasstrasse]], (Stasi Museum). On the site of the former Erfurt [[Stasi]] prison, where over 5000 people were held. On 4 December 1989, the building was occupied by local residents. It was the first of many such takeovers of Stasi buildings in the former East Germany.<ref>The Local (4 December 2014) [http://www.thelocal.de/20141204/how-ordinary-people-smashed-the-stasi How ordinary people smashed the Stasi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914162108/http://www.thelocal.de/20141204/how-ordinary-people-smashed-the-stasi |date=14 September 2016 }}. Retrieved 15 January 2018</ref> Today it has exhibitions on the history of East Germany and the activities of its regime.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The [[Angermuseum]] is one of the main art museums of Erfurt, named after Anger Square, where it is located. It focuses on modern graphic arts, medieval sculpture and early modern artisanal handicraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=e.V |first=Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus |title="Angermuseum" Erfurt - Germany Travel |url=https://www.germany.travel/fr/accessibilite-pour-tous/page-de-details.html |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.germany.travel |language=fr}}</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Kunsthalle Erfurt}}'' (Erfurt City Art Gallery) has exhibitions of contemporary art, of local, national and international artists.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''[[Margaretha Reichardt]] Haus'' is the home and workshop of the textile designer and former [[Bauhaus]] student, Margaretha Reichardt (1907–1984).<ref>[https://www.visit-thuringia.com/travel-hotel-holiday-tour/margaretha-reichardt-haus-104988.html Visit Thuringia. Margaretha Reichard Haus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925021734/https://www.visit-thuringia.com/travel-hotel-holiday-tour/margaretha-reichardt-haus-104988.html |date=25 September 2016 }}. Retrieved 15 January 2018</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Peterskirche}}'' (Saint Peter's church) houses an exhibition of [[concrete art]], i.e. totally abstract art (not art made out of concrete).<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Peter's Church, Erfurt |url=https://www.outdooractive.com/en/poi/erfurt/st-peter-s-church-erfurt/16573371/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.outdooractive.com |language=en}}</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Deutsches Gartenbaumuseum}}'' (German Horticulture Museum) is housed at the [[Cyriaksburg Citadel]].<ref>[https://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/en/all-about-erfurt/culture-and-going-out/museums/german-horticultural-museum/ Erfurt Tourismus. German Horticulture Museum] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004164156/http://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/en/all-about-erfurt/culture-and-going-out/museums/german-horticultural-museum/ |date=4 October 2016 }}. Retrieved 15 January 2018</ref>
* The {{lang|de|[[Naturkundemuseum Erfurt|Naturkundemuseum]]}} (Natural History Museum) is situated in a medieval woad warehouse and explores Thuringian flora and fauna, geology and ecology.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2024 |title=Naturkundemuseum Erfurt |trans-title='German' Natural History Museum of Erfurt |url=https://www.naturkundemuseum-erfurt.de/ueber-uns/geschichte/ |access-date=1 September 2024 |website=Naturkundemuseum Erfurt}}</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Museum für Thüringer Volkskunde}}'' (Museum of Folk Art and Cultural Anthropology) looks at the ordinary life of people in Thuringia in the past and shows exhibits of peasant and artisan traditions.<ref>“Museum of Thuringian Folklore.” Erfurt Tourismus, www.erfurt-tourismus.de/en/all-about-erfurt/culture/museums/museum-of-thuringian-folklore/. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Elektromuseum}}'' (Museum of Electrical Engineering) shows the history of electric engines, which have featured prominently in Erfurt's economy.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* {{Interlanguage link multi|Schloss Molsdorf|de}} in the district of Molsdorf is a [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] palace with an exhibition about the painter {{Interlanguage link multi|Otto Knöpfer|de}}.

===Image gallery===
<gallery widths="200px" heights="180px">
File:Erfurt Stadtmuseum Haus zum Stockfisch.jpg|{{lang|de|Stadtmuseum}}
File:Angermuseum Erfurt2.JPG|{{lang|de|Angermuseum}}
File:Naturkundemuseum Erfurt Eingangtor.jpg|{{lang|de|Naturkundemuseum}}
File:Defensionskaserne 3.jpg|{{lang|de|Deutsches Gartenbaumuseum}}
File:Erfurt, Museum für Thüringer Volkskunde.jpg|{{lang|de|Museum für Thüringer Volkskunde}}
File:Erinnerungsort Topf und Söhne Erfurt.JPG|[[J.A. Topf & Söhne]] museum and holocaust memorial site
File:Stasi Memorial Andreasstraße Erfurt.JPG|[[Memorial and Education Centre Andreasstrasse]], former Stasi prison
File:Schloss Molsdorf 01.jpg|{{lang|de|Schloss Molsdorf}}
</gallery>

=== Theatre ===
Since 2003, the modern opera house is home to [[Theater Erfurt]] and its Philharmonic Orchestra. The "grand stage" section has 800 seats and the "studio stage" can hold 200 spectators. In September 2005, the opera ''[[Waiting for the Barbarians (opera)|Waiting for the Barbarians]]'' by [[Philip Glass]] premiered in the opera house. The Erfurt Theatre has been a source of controversy. In 2005, a performance of [[Engelbert Humperdinck (composer)|Engelbert Humperdinck]]'s opera ''{{lang|de|[[Hänsel und Gretel (opera)|Hänsel und Gretel]]}}'' stirred up the local press since the performance contained suggestions of pedophilia and incest. The opera was advertised in the programme with the addition "for adults only".{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

On 12 April 2008, a version of [[Giuseppe Verdi|Verdi]]'s opera ''{{lang|it|[[Un ballo in maschera]]}}'' directed by Johann Kresnik opened at the Erfurt Theatre. The production stirred deep controversy by featuring nude performers in [[Mickey Mouse]] masks dancing on the ruins of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] and a female singer with a painted on [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]] toothbrush moustache performing a straight arm [[Nazism|Nazi]] salute, along with sinister portrayals of American soldiers, [[Uncle Sam]], and [[Elvis Presley]] impersonators. The director described the production as a populist critique of modern American society, aimed at showing up the disparities between rich and poor. The controversy prompted one local politician to call for locals to boycott the performances, but this was largely ignored and the première was sold out.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/11/wopera111.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413002501/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/11/wopera111.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 April 2008 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |title=German staging of Verdi's ''A Masked Ball'' on 9/11 with naked cast in Mickey Mouse masks |date=11 April 2008 |access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref>

=== Sport ===
[[File:Luftbild Gunda Niemann Stirnemann Halle.jpg|thumb|''{{lang|de|Gunda-Niemann-Stirnemann Halle}}''.]]
The [[Messe Erfurt]] serves as home court for the [[Oettinger Rockets]], a professional basketball team in Germany's first division, the [[Basketball Bundesliga]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Notable types of sport in Erfurt are athletics, ice skating, cycling (with the oldest velodrome in use in the world, opened in 1885), swimming, handball, volleyball, tennis and football. The city's football club {{lang|de|[[FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt]]}} is member of {{lang|de|[[3. Fußball-Liga]]}} and based in {{lang|de|[[Steigerwaldstadion]]}} with a capacity of 20,000. The ''{{lang|de|Gunda-Niemann-Stirnemann Halle}}'' was the second [[Speed skating rink#Indoor speed skating tracks|indoor speed skating arena]] in Germany.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

=== Cityscape ===
[[File:Brühlervorstadt.JPG|thumb|Architecture from the ''{{lang|de|[[Gründerzeit]]}}'' in Brühlervorstadt district.]]
Erfurt's cityscape features a medieval core of narrow, curved alleys in the centre surrounded by a belt of ''{{lang|de|[[Gründerzeit]]}}'' architecture, created between 1873 and 1914. In 1873, the city's fortifications were demolished and it became possible to build houses in the area in front of the former city walls. In the following years, Erfurt saw a construction boom. In the northern area (districts Andreasvorstadt, Johannesvorstadt and Ilversgehofen) [[tenement]]s for the factory workers were built whilst the eastern area (Krämpfervorstadt and Daberstedt) featured apartments for white-collar workers and clerks and the southwestern part (Löbervorstadt and Brühlervorstadt) with its beautiful valley landscape saw the construction of villas and mansions of rich factory owners and notables.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

During the interwar period, some settlements in [[Bauhaus]] style were realized, often as housing cooperatives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-19 |title=Bauhaus100 – Baudenkmale der Moderne |trans-title=Bauhaus100 – Architectural Monuments of Modernism |url=https://www.erfurt.de/ef/de/erleben/besuch/bauhaus100/baudenkmale/index.html |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Erfurt.de |language=de}}</ref>

After World War II and over the whole GDR period, housing shortages remained a problem even though the government started a big apartment construction programme. Between 1970 and 1990 large {{lang|de|[[Plattenbau]]}} settlements with high-rise blocks on the northern (for 50,000 inhabitants) and southeastern (for 40,000 inhabitants) periphery were constructed. After reunification the renovation of old houses in city centre and the ''{{lang|de|Gründerzeit}}'' areas was a big issue. The federal government granted substantial subsidies, so that many houses could be restored.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Compared to many other German cities, little of Erfurt was destroyed in World War II. This is one reason why the centre today offers a mixture of medieval, Baroque and [[Neoclassical architecture]] as well as buildings from the last 150 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Magazine |first1=Smithsonian |last2=Kiniry |first2=Laura |title=Could Erfurt Be Germany's Most Magical Christmas Town? |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/could-erfurt-be-germanys-most-magical-christmas-town-180971095/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

Public green spaces are located along Gera river and in several parks like the ''{{lang|de|Stadtpark}}'', the ''{{lang|de|Nordpark}}'' and the ''{{lang|de|Südpark}}''. The largest green area is the {{Interlanguage link multi|Egapark|de}}, a horticultural exhibition park and botanic garden established in 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |title=egapark Erfurt - Erfurt Tourismus |url=https://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/en/all-about-erfurt/places-of-interest/egapark-erfurt |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=www.erfurt-tourismus.de}}</ref>

=== Sights and architectural heritage ===

==== Churches, monasteries and synagogues ====
[[File:Erfurter Dom von Oben 08.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|St Mary's Cathedral (left) and St Severus' Church (right) on Domberg hill.]]
The city centre has about 25 churches and monasteries, most of them in [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style, some also in [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] style or a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic elements, and a few in later styles. The various steeples characterize the medieval centre and led to one of Erfurt's nicknames as the "Thuringian Rome".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantraveler.net/te-erfurt.php |title=''europeantraveler.net'' |access-date=22 May 2017 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408174807/http://www.europeantraveler.net/te-erfurt.php |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=====Catholic churches and monasteries=====
* The {{lang|de|Allerheiligenkirche}} ([[All Saints' Church, Erfurt|All Saints' Church]]) is a 14th-century Gothic church in {{lang|de|Marktstraße}} (Market Street), which hosts a [[columbarium]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Kirchen in Erfurt: Allerheiligenkirche, Kolumbarium |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.30965/9783506786388_0732 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Erfurt.de |doi=10.30965/9783506786388_0732 |language=de}}</ref>
* The {{lang|de|Dom St. Marien}} ([[Erfurt Cathedral|St Mary's Cathedral]]) perches above {{lang|de|Domplatz}}, the Cathedral Square. It is the [[episcopal see]] and one of the main sights of Erfurt. It combines Romanesque and Gothic elements and has the largest free-swinging medieval bell in the world,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.outdooractive.com/en/church/erfurt/st-mary-s-cathedral-and-st-severi-s-church-erfurt/16537650/ |title=St Mary's Cathedral and St Severi's Church, Erfurt |website=outdooractive.com |access-date=2022-05-28 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128011832/https://www.outdooractive.com/en/poi/erfurt/st-mary-s-cathedral-and-st-severi-s-church-erfurt/16537650/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which is named [[Maria Gloriosa|Gloriosa]]. One of the works of art inside the cathedral is [[Lucas Cranach the Elder]]'s 'The Mystic Marriage of St.&nbsp;Catherine' painted around 1520.<ref>[http://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/en/all-about-erfurt/famous-individuals/lucas-cranach/ Erfurt Tourismus. Famous Individuals. Lucas Cranach]. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413011339/http://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/en/all-about-erfurt/famous-individuals/lucas-cranach/ |date=13 April 2016}}. Retrieved 18 January 2018.</ref>
* The {{lang|de|Lorenzkirche}} ([[St Lawrence's Church, Erfurt|St Lawrence's Church]]) is a small 14th-century Gothic parish church at {{lang|de|Anger}} Square.
* The {{lang|de|Martinikirche}} ([[St Martin's Church, Erfurt|St Martin's Church]]) was built in the 15th&nbsp;century in Gothic style and in 1755–58 converted to Baroque style. It was both a [[Cistercians|Cistercian]] nunnery and a parish church of {{lang|de|Brühl}}, a medieval suburban zone.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geschichte St. Martini |url=https://www.st-laurentius-erfurt.de/orte-kirchen/st-martini/geschichte-st-martini/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=St. Laurentius Erfurt |language=de}}</ref>
* The {{lang|de|[[Neuwerkskirche]] St. Crucis}} ("church of the new facility", Holy Cross Church) is a 15th-century Gothic church at {{lang|de|Neuwerkstraße}}, that was later converted to Baroque style. Until the 13th century, it was used by a [[convent]] of [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] nuns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Crucis, Neuwerkkirche, einzigartige Barockkirche |trans-title=St. Crucis, Neuwerkkirche, unique baroque church |url=https://www.st-laurentius-erfurt.de/orte-kirchen/st-crucis/geschichte-st-crucis/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=St Laurentius Erfurt |language=de}}</ref>
* The {{lang|de|[[Schottenkirche, Erfurt|Schottenkirche]] St. Nikolai und St. Jakobi}} (Scots Monks' Church of St&nbsp;Nicholas and St&nbsp;James) is an 11th-century Romanesque monastery church with a Baroque façade, which was later used as a parish church.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The {{lang|de|Severikirche}} ([[St Severus' Church, Erfurt|St Severus' Church]]) is the second-largest parish church after the cathedral and stands next to it on the {{lang|de|Domberg}} hill. It is in Gothic style and was built around 1300.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Erfurt {{!}} Medieval City, Thuringia Capital {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Erfurt-Germany |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
* The {{lang|de|Ursulinenkirche}}, St Ursula's Church, is a Gothic church at {{lang|de|Anger}} Square. It is attached to the {{lang|de|Ursulinenkloster}}, St&nbsp;Ursula's Nunnery, founded in 1136.<ref>[http://www.bildungshaus-st-ursula.de/kloster.html Kloster St. Ursula. Geschichte] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116081134/http://www.bildungshaus-st-ursula.de/kloster.html |date=16 January 2018 }}. Retrieved 15&nbsp;January 2018.</ref>
* The {{lang|de|Wigbertikirche}} ([[St Wigbert's Church, Erfurt|St Wigbert's Church]]) is a 15th-century Gothic church near {{lang|de|Anger}} Square.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Wigbert, ehemalige Kloster-,Hof- und Pfarrkirche, heute Kirchort |trans-title=St. Wigbert, former monastery, court and parish church, today a parish |url=https://www.st-laurentius-erfurt.de/orte-kirchen/st-wigbert/geschichte-st-wigbert/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=St Laurentius Erfurt |language=de}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="180px">
Allerheiligenkirche Erfurt.jpg|All Saints' Church
Erfurt Lorenzkirche vom Anger.jpg|St Lawrence's Church
Martinikirche.jpg|St Martin's Church
Erfurt - Neuwerkskirche.jpg|Holy Cross Church
Schottenkirche Erfurt.jpg|Schottenkirche
Erfurt, Severikirche vom Petersberg gesehen-002.jpg|St Severus' Church
Landtagprojekt Thueringen Erfurt 2011 (RaBoe) 110.jpg|Ursulines Church
Wigbertikirche Erfurt2.JPG|St Wigbert's Church
</gallery>

=====Protestant churches and monasteries=====
* {{lang|de|Ägidienkirche}} ([[St Giles' Church, Erfurt|St Giles' Church]]) is a 14th-century Gothic parish church at {{lang|de|Wenigemarkt}} Square. It is the surviving one of formerly two bridge-head churches of the {{lang|de|[[Krämerbrücke]]}} located on both ends of the bridge. As a result, the nave is on the first floor, while on ground level is a passage to the bridge. The steeple is open to the public and offers a good view over the city centre. Today, St&nbsp;Giles' Church is a [[Methodism|Methodist]] parish church.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* {{lang|de|Andreaskirche}} ([[St Andrew's Church, Erfurt|St Andrew's Church]]) is a 14th-century Gothic parish church at {{lang|de|Andreasstraße}} (Andrew's Street). The old craftsmen's quarter around it is named {{lang|de|Andreasviertel}} after the church.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* {{lang|de|Augustinerkloster}} ([[St. Augustine's Monastery (Erfurt)|St Augustine's Monastery]]) dates from 1277. [[Martin Luther]] lived there as a monk between 1505 and 1511. The site has had a varied history and the restored complex has both modern and medieval buildings. Today it belongs to the [[Protestant Church in Germany]] and as well as being a place of worship it is also a meeting and conference centre, and provides simple guest accommodation. In 2016, an application was made for it to be included in the already existing UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] "Luther sites in Central Germany".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.welterbe-luther.de/en/extension-application/augustinian-monastery-erfurt |title=UNESCO World Heritage. Augustinian Monastery, Erfurt extension application |website=welterbe-luther.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804013636/http://www.welterbe-luther.de/en/extension-application/augustinian-monastery-erfurt |archive-date=2017-08-04 |access-date=2017-05-29}}</ref>
* The {{lang|de|[[Kaufmannskirche]] St. Gregor}} (Merchant's Church of St Gregory) is a 14th-century Gothic parish church at {{lang|de|Anger}} square. It is one of the largest and most important original parish churches in Erfurt. The parents of [[Johann Sebastian Bach]], [[Johann Ambrosius Bach]] and [[Maria Elisabeth Lämmerhirt]], married here in 1668.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* {{lang|de|Michaeliskirche}} ([[St Michael's Church, Erfurt|St Michael's Church]]) is a 13th-century Gothic parish church at {{lang|de|Michaelisstraße}}. It became the church of the university in 1392. Erfurt's first [[Protestantism|Protestant]] sermon was preached here in 1521.<ref name="Luthers Stationen">{{Cite web |url=https://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/sehens-wissenswertes/top-themen/luthers-stationen |language=de |title=Martin Luther's Stationen in Erfurt |website=erfurt-tourismus.de |access-date=2022-05-28 |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625100542/https://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/sehens-wissenswertes/top-themen/luthers-stationen |url-status=live }}</ref> The church tower contains Erfurt's oldest bell "Katharina",<ref name="Luthers Stationen" /> dating from 1380.
* The {{lang|de|[[Predigerkirche (Erfurt)|Predigerkirche]]}} (Dominican Church) is a Gothic monastery church of the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]] at {{lang|de|Predigerstraße}}. Since the [[Reformation]] in the 16th&nbsp;century, it is the main Protestant church of Erfurt and furthermore one of the largest former churches of the mendicant orders in Germany. The theologian and mystic [[Meister Eckhart]] (c.&nbsp;1260–1328) entered Prediger Monastery around 1275. He was Prior from 1294 until 1298, and Vicar of Thuringia from 1298 to 1302. After a year in Paris, he returned to the monastery in 1303 and administered his duties as Provincial of Saxony from there until 1311.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.meister-eckhart-erfurt.de/meister-eckhart-in-erfurt/bedeutung.html |title=Bedeutung |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225213659/http://www.meister-eckhart-erfurt.de/meister-eckhart-in-erfurt/bedeutung.html |archive-date=2014-02-25 |website=Meister Eckhart in Erfurt |publisher=Evangelische Predigergemeinde Erfurt}}</ref> The baroque composer [[Johann Pachelbel]] (1653–1706) was organist at the church from 1678 until 1690.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The {{lang|de|[[Reglerkirche|Reglerkirche St. Augustinus]]}} (Regulated St Augustine's Church) is a 12th-century Romanesque-Gothic monastery church of the Augustinians at {{lang|de|Bahnhofstraße}} (Station Street). After the Reformation, it became a Protestant parish church.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

<gallery>
File:Erfurt kosciol sw Idziego 2.jpg|St Giles' Church
File:Erfurt, Andreaskirche-002.jpg|St Andrew's Church
File:Augustinerkirche Erfurt.jpg|St Augustine's Church
File:Erfurt, Kaufmannskirche 001.JPG|Merchants' Church
File:J24 082e Michaeliskirche.jpg|St Michael's Church
File:Erfurt Predigerkirche (2).JPG|Dominican Church
File:Reglerkirche Erfurt.jpg|Regulated St Augustine's Church
</gallery>

=====Former churches=====
* The {{lang|de|[[Barfüßerkirche, Erfurt|Barfüßerkirche]]}} is a 14th-century Gothic [[Mendicant orders|mendicant]] church at {{lang|de|Barfüßerstraße}}. The former [[Franciscans|Franciscan]] monastery became a Protestant parish church after the Reformation. In 1944, the church was severely damaged by allied bombing. Its high choir was restored, but the nave's ruins have been preserved as a war memorial.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The {{lang|de|Bartholomäuskirche}} ([[St Bartholomew's Church, Erfurt|St Bartholomew's Church]]) was a Gothic parish church at {{lang|de|Anger}} Square. The church was demolished in 1715 and only the steeple remained. Today, the tower hosts a [[carillon]] with 60&nbsp;bells.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Georgskirche}}'' (St George's Church) was a parish church in ''Michaelisstraße''. It was demolished in 1632 and only the church tower now remains.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Hospitalkirche}}'' (Hospital Church) was the church of the former Great City Hospital at ''{{lang|de|Juri-Gagarin-Ring}}''. It is a 14th-century Gothic building and is used today as a depot by the Museum für Thüringer Volkskunde (Museum of Thuringian Ethnology).<ref>[http://geo.viaregia.org/testbed/index.pl?rm=obj&objid=2237 geo.viaregia.org. Hospitalkirche] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116004456/http://geo.viaregia.org/testbed/index.pl?rm=obj&objid=2237 |date=16 January 2018 }}. Retrieved 15 January 2018</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Johanneskirche}}'' (St John's Church) was a parish church at John's Street. It was demolished in 1819, but the steeple remained.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Kartäuserkirche St. Salvatorberg}}'' (Carthusian Church, Mount St&nbsp;Saviour) was a monastery church at ''{{lang|de|Kartäuserstraße}}''. The Baroque church was closed in 1803 and afterwards used for many different purposes. Today, it is part of a housing complex.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Presseabteilung der Stadt Erfurt |title=Kirchen in Erfurt: Ehemalige Kartäuserkirche und -kloster |url=https://www.erfurt.de/ef/de/erleben/sehenswertes/dom/108139.html |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Erfurt.de |date=23 December 2013 |language=de}}</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Nikolaikirche}}'' (St Nicholas' Church) was a parish church in Augustine's Street. It was demolished in 1747 and only the steeple remained.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Paulskirche}}'' (St Paul's Church) was a parish church in Paul's Street. It was demolished before 1759. The steeple remains and is in use as the belfry of the Prediger Church.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Peterskirche}}'' (St Peter's Church) was built in the 12th century in Romanesque style as a church of the [[Benedictine]] monastery of St Peter and Paul on Petersberg hill, now the site of [[Petersberg Citadel]]. It was secularised in 1803 and used as a military store house. Today it houses an art gallery.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

<gallery mode="packed" widths="200px" heights="180px">
File:Barfüßerkirche Erfurt 2011-03-19.jpg|Ruins of the former Franciscan monastery's church
File:Bartholomäusturm Erfurt.jpg|St Bartholomew's steeple
File:Hospitalkirche "Zum Heiligen Geist" Erfurt 8.jpg|Hospital Church
File:Westportal-Kartaeuserkirche-Erfurt-2015-05.jpg|Carthusian Church
File:Nicolaiturm.jpg|St Nicholas' steeple
File:Paulsturm.jpg|St Paul's steeple
File:Peterskirche Erfurt 1.jpg|St Peter's Church
</gallery>

=====Synagogues=====
{{see also|Jewish Community of Erfurt}}
The oldest parts of Erfurt's ''Alte Synagoge'' ([[Old Synagogue (Erfurt)|Old Synagogue]]) date to the 11th century. It was used until 1349 when the Jewish community was destroyed in a pogrom known as the [[Erfurt massacre (1349)|Erfurt Massacre]]. The building had many other uses since then. It was conserved in the 1990s and in 2009 it became a museum of Jewish history.<ref name="altsyn" /> A rare [[Mikveh]], a ritual bath, dating from c.1250, was discovered by archeologists in 2007.<ref name=mikveh /> It has been accessible to visitors on guided tours since September 2011.<ref>[http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/middle-ages/mikveh/index.html Jewish life in Erfurt. Mikveh.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025182823/http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/middle-ages/mikveh/index.html |date=25 October 2016 }} Retrieved 4 June 2017</ref> The Jewish heritage of Erfurt including the Old Synagogue and Mikveh became a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] in September 2023 and is the second Jewish heritage in Germany that is listed on UNESCO.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unesco nimmt Erfurter Bauten in Liste des Weltkulturerbes auf |url=https://www.zeit.de/kultur/2023-09/unesco-nimmt-erfurter-bauten-in-liste-des-weltkulturerbes-auf |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |date=17 September 2023 |access-date=2023-09-18 |last1=Reddig |first1=Sophia |last2=Fenker |first2=Iven |archive-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024014556/https://www.zeit.de/kultur/2023-09/unesco-nimmt-erfurter-bauten-in-liste-des-weltkulturerbes-auf?utm_referrer=https:// |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jewish-Medieval Heritage of Erfurt |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1656/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918055534/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1656 |archive-date=2023-09-18 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en}}</ref>

As religious freedom was granted in the 19th century, some Jews returned to Erfurt. They built their synagogue on the banks of the Gera river and used it from 1840 until 1884. The neoclassical building is known as the ''Kleine Synagoge'' (Small Synagogue). Today it is used an events centre. It is also open to visitors.<ref name=kleinsyn>[http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/19-century/small_synagogue/index.html Jewish Life in Erfurt. Small synagogue.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031212354/http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/19-century/small_synagogue/index.html |date=31 October 2016 }} Retrieved 31 October 2016</ref>

A larger synagogue, the ''Große Synagoge'' (Great Synagogue), was opened in 1884 because the community had become larger and wealthier. This moorish style building was destroyed during nationwide Nazi riots, known as {{lang|de|[[Kristallnacht]]}} on 9–10 November 1938.<ref>Available at: [http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/19-century/great_synagogue/index.html Jewish Life in Erfurt. Great synagogue.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031212706/http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/19-century/great_synagogue/index.html |date=31 October 2016 }} Retrieved 31 October 2016</ref>

In 1947 the land which the Great Synagogue had occupied was returned to the Jewish community and they built their current place of worship, the ''Neue Synagoge'' (New Synagogue) which opened in 1952. It was the only synagogue building erected under communist rule in East Germany.<ref>[http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/present/new_synagogue/index.html Jewish Life in Erfurt. New synagogue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031212356/http://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/present/new_synagogue/index.html |date=31 October 2016 }}. Retrieved 31 October 2016</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="180px">
File:Alte Synagoge Erfurt.JPG|Old Synagogue
File:Kleine Synagoge Erfurt2.JPG|Small Synagogue
File:Synagoge Erfurt.JPG|New Synagogue
</gallery>

==== Secular architecture ====
Besides the religious buildings there is a lot of historic secular architecture in Erfurt, mostly concentrated in the city centre, but some 19th- and 20th-century buildings are located on the outskirts.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
[[File:Michaelisstraße Erfurt.JPG|thumb|The {{lang|de|Michaelisstraße}} is known as the lithic chronicle of Erfurt.]]

=====Street and square ensembles=====
* The ''{{lang|de|[[Krämerbrücke]]}}'' (Merchants' bridge) is the most famous tourist attraction of Erfurt. This 15th-century bridge is completely covered with dwellings and unique in Europe north of the Alps. Today, there are some art handicraft and souvenir shops in the houses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merchants' Bridge - Erfurt Tourismus |url=https://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/en/all-about-erfurt/places-of-interest/merchants-bridge |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=www.erfurt-tourismus.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Merchant's Bridge |url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/destination/germany/erfurt/merchant-s-bridge |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=www.radissonhotels.com}}</ref>
* The ''{{lang|de|Domplatz}}'' (Cathedral Square) is the largest square in Erfurt and one of the largest historical market squares in Germany. The cathedral and St Severus' Church on its western side can be reached over the ''{{lang|de|Domstufen}}'', a wide flight of stairs. On the north side lies the courthouse, a historic building from 1880. The eastern and southern side is fronted by early-modern patrician houses. On the square are the Minerva Fountain from 1784 and the Erthal Obelisk from 1777. The Domplatz is the main setting of the Erfurt Christmas Market in December and the location for "DomStufen-Festival", an open-air theatre festival in summer.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Fischmarkt}}'' (Fish Market) is the central square of Erfurt's city centre. It is surrounded by renaissance-style patrician houses and the town hall, a neo-gothic building from 1882. In the middle of the square is a statue called ''{{lang|de|Römer}}'' (Roman), a symbol of the city's independence, erected by the citizens in 1591.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Wenigemarkt}}'' (Minor Market) is a small square on the east side of the Gera river (opposite to the Fischmarkt on the west side), surrounded by early-modern patrician and merchants' houses. The fountain on this square with the sculpture "Scuffling Boys" was created in 1975. Today, {{lang|de|Wenigemarkt}} square also has various cafés and bars. Next to the {{lang|de|Wenigemarkt}} in {{lang|de|Futterstraße}} is the {{lang|de|Kaisersaal}} building, a neoclassicistic event hall from 1831 (current building). The [[Congress of Erfurt]] took place here in 1808.
* The ''{{lang|de|Anger}}'' (originally the German term for "[[village green]]") is a protracted square{{clarify|date=October 2014}} in the eastern city centre. All tram lines are linked here, so that it became the new city centre during the 20th century with many important buildings. On its northern side is the main post office, built in 1886 in neo-gothic style with its prominent clock tower. In the north-east there is the Martin Luther monument from 1889 in front of the Merchants' Church. Between the church and the Ursuline monastery lies the "Anger 1" department store from 1908. On the south side next to Station Street is the {{lang|de|Angermuseum}}, the art history museum of Erfurt, inside a Baroque palace from 1711. The western part of Anger square is surrounded by large historicist business houses from the late 19th century. The west end of the square is marked by the Angerbrunnen fountain from 1890. The Jesuit College near {{lang|de|Schlösserstraße}} was built in 1737 and used until the ban of the Jesuits in 1773.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''[[Willy Brandt]] Square'' is the southern gate to the city centre in front of the main station. Opposite to the station is the former hotel ''{{lang|de|Erfurter Hof}}'', where the first meeting of the East- and West-German heads of government took place in 1970. On the western side is the building of the old Erfurt station (1847–95) with a clock tower and the former offices of the Thuringian Railway Company.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Hirschgarten}}'' (Deer Garden) is a small park in front of the Thuringian government seat in the western city centre. The minister-president's seat is the ''{{lang|de|Kurmainzische Statthalterei}}'', a Renaissance-Baroque palace from the 17th century.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Michaelisstraße}}'' (Michael's Street) is known as "the lithic chronicle of Erfurt", because of its mostly medieval buildings. It is the main street of the Latin quarter around the old university and today one of the favourite nightlife districts of the Erfurters with various bars, restaurants and cafés. The central building of the old university, {{lang|la|Collegium Maius}}, was built in 1515, destroyed by Allied bombs in 1945 and originally rebuilt in 1999.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Juri-Gagarin-Ring}}'' is an inner-city circular road following the former inner city wall. The road was set out in the 1890s by closing a branch of the Gera river. The buildings along the street originate from all periods of the 20th century, including some GDR-era highrise residence buildings. An old building complex here is the former Great Hospital, established in the 14th century. Today, it hosts the museum of popular art and cultural anthropology.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* The ''{{lang|de|Andreasviertel}}'' (St Andrew's Quarter) is a small quarter in the northern part of the city centre between {{lang|de|Domplatz}} in the south-west and {{lang|de|Moritzwallstraße}} in the north-east. It was the former craftsmen quarter with narrow alleys and old (16th/17th century) little houses. During the 20th century, there were plans to demolish the quarter because of its bad housing conditions. After 1990, the houses were redeveloped by private individuals so that it is one of the favourite neighbourhoods today. The largest building here is the former Municipal Corn Storage in Gothic style from 1466 with a floor area of {{cvt|1800|m2|0}}.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

<gallery widths="200px" heights="180px">
File:Krämerbrücke Erfurt II, Germany2.jpg|{{lang|de|[[Krämerbrücke]]}}
File:P1010412-Montage.jpg|Christmas market at {{lang|de|Domplatz}}
File:Haus zum Roten Ochsen Fischmarkt.jpg|{{lang|de|Fischmarkt}}
File:Wenigemarkt Erfurt.JPG|{{lang|de|Wenigemarkt}}
File:Hauptpost Erfurt2.JPG|Post office at {{lang|de|Anger}}
File:Angermuseum Erfurt2.JPG|{{lang|de|Angermuseum}}
File:2011-05-19-erfurt-by-RalfR-44.jpg|{{lang|de|Hirschgarten}}
</gallery>

=====Fortifications=====
[[File:Zitadelle_Erfurt.jpg|thumb|[[Petersberg Citadel]].]]
From 1066 until 1873 the old town of Erfurt was encircled by a fortified wall. About 1168 this was extended to run around the western side of Petersberg hill, enclosing it within the city boundaries.<ref name=walls>Stadtverwaltung Erfurt (4 September 2012). [http://www.erfurt-web.de/Stadtbefestigung ''Stadtbefestigung einst und jetzt''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026171154/http://www.erfurt-web.de/Stadtbefestigung |date=26 October 2021 }}. Retrieved 28 December 2017</ref>

After [[German Unification]] in 1871, Erfurt became part of the newly created [[German Empire]]. The threat to the city from its Saxon neighbours and from Bavaria was no longer present, so it was decided to dismantle the city walls. Only a few remnants remain today. A piece of inner wall can be found in a small park at the corner Juri-Gagarin-Ring and Johannesstraße and another piece at the flood ditch (''Flutgraben'') near Franckestraße. There is also a small restored part of the wall in the Brühler Garten, behind the Catholic orphanage. Only one of the wall's fortified towers was left standing, on Boyneburgufer, but this was destroyed in an air raid in 1944.<ref name=walls />

The [[Petersberg Citadel]] is one of the largest and best preserved city fortresses in Europe, covering an area of 36 hectares in the north-west of the city centre. It was built from 1665 on Petersberg hill and was in military use until 1963. Since 1990, it has been significantly restored and is now open to the public as an historic site.<ref name="350jahre">Verein der Freunde der Citadelle Petersberg zu Erfurt e.V. (2015). ''350 Jahre Zitadelle Petersberg. Tagungsband: Wissenschaftliches Kolloquim zum 350. Jahrestages der Grundsteinlegung der Zitadelle Petersberg vom 29. Mai bis 31 Mai 2015. Universität Erfurt''.</ref>

The {{Interlanguage link multi|Cyriaksburg Citadel|de|3=Zitadelle Cyriaksburg}} is a smaller citadel south-west of the city centre, dating from 1480. Today, it houses the German horticulture museum.<ref>[https://www.gartenbaumuseum.de/die-cyriaksburg.html ''Die Cyriaksburg: Sitz des Deutschen Gartenbaumuseums Erfurt''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229232259/https://www.gartenbaumuseum.de/die-cyriaksburg.html |date=29 December 2017 }}. Retrieved 23 December 2017</ref>

=====19th- and 20th-century architecture in the outskirts=====
Between 1873 and 1914, a belt of ''{{lang|de|[[Gründerzeit]]}}'' architecture emerged around the city centre. The mansion district in the south-west around {{lang|de|Cyriakstraße}}, {{lang|de|Richard-Breslau-Straße}} and {{lang|de|Hochheimer Straße}} hosts some interesting ''{{lang|de|Gründerzeit}}'' and ''Art Nouveau'' buildings.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The "Mühlenviertel" ("mill quarter"), is an area of beautiful Art Nouveau apartment buildings, cobblestone streets and street trees just to the north of the old city, in the vicinity of Nord Park, bordered by the Gera river on its east side. The [[Schmale Gera]] stream runs through the area. In the Middle Ages numerous small enterprises using the power of water mills occupied the area, hence the name "Mühlenviertel", with street names such as Waidmühlenweg (woad, or indigo, mill way), Storchmühlenweg (stork mill way) and Papiermühlenweg (paper mill way).{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The ''[[Bauhaus]]'' style is represented by some housing cooperative projects in the east around {{lang|de|Flensburger Straße}} and {{lang|de|Dortmunder Straße}} and in the north around {{lang|de|Neuendorfstraße}}. Lutherkirke Church in {{lang|de|Magdeburger Allee}} (1927), is an [[Art Deco]] building.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The former malt factory "Wolff" at {{lang|de|Theo-Neubauer-Straße}} in the east of Erfurt is a large industrial complex built between 1880 and 1939, and in use until 2000. A new use has not been found yet, but the area is sometimes used as a location in movie productions because of its atmosphere.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Examples of Nazi architecture include the buildings of the {{lang|de|Landtag}} (Thuringian parliament) and {{lang|de|Thüringenhalle}} (an event hall) in the south at {{lang|de|Arnstädter Straße}}. While the {{lang|de|Landtag}} building (1930s) represents more the neo-Roman/fascist style, {{lang|de|Thüringenhalle}} (1940s) is marked by some neo-Germanic ''{{lang|de|Heimatschutz}}'' style elements.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The Stalinist early-GDR style is manifested in the main building of the university at {{lang|de|Nordhäuser Straße}} (1953) and the later more international modern GDR style is represented by the horticultural exhibition centre "{{lang|de|Egapark}}" at {{lang|de|Gothaer Straße}}, the {{lang|de|Plattenbau}} housing complexes like Rieth or {{lang|de|Johannesplatz}} and the redevelopment of {{lang|de|Löbertor}} and {{lang|de|Krämpfertor}} area along {{lang|de|Juri-Gagarin-Ring}} in the city centre.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The current international glass and steel architecture is dominant among most larger new buildings like the Federal Labour Court of Germany (1999), the new opera house (2003), the new main station (2007), the university library, the Erfurt Messe (convention centre) and the {{lang|de|[[Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann]]}} ice rink.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}<ref>Source: Official Website of the city of Erfurt - "Architecture in Erfurt" (https://www.erfurt.de/ef/de/service/aktulles/pm/2015/119202.html{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }})</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="180px">
File:Ernst-Toller-Straße Erfurt.JPG|{{lang|de|Gründerzeit}} tenements in {{lang|de|Johannesvorstadt}} district
File:Brunnen Jacobsenviertel Erfurt.JPG|Cubistic fountain in a Bauhaus housing complex
File:Lutherkirche Erfurt2.JPG|Art Deco Luther's Church
File:ThüringerLandtag.jpg|Entrance of the Thuringian parliament
File:Audimax-Foyer der Universität Erfurt.jpg|Lobby of the university main building
File:Statue Johannesplatz Erfurt.JPG|GDR architecture in {{lang|de|Johannesplatz}} district
File:2011-05-19-bundesarbeitsgericht-by-RalfR-24.jpg|Inner yard of the Federal Labour Court
</gallery>