Magdeburg
Germany's first Gothic cathedral, and Hundertwasser's last building, with no straight lines and trees in the walls.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
Magdeburg cathedral was begun in 1209 after a fire and is generally identified as the first Gothic cathedral built on German soil, using the new French style; it holds the tomb of Otto I, who died in 973. Nearby stands the Grüne Zitadelle, completed in 2005 to designs by Friedensreich Hundertwasser and his last project, a pink block with uneven floors, irregular windows, grass on the roof and trees growing out of the walls, built as a deliberate protest against straight lines and grey cities. The two stand a few hundred metres apart. The Elbe waterway crossing north of the city carries a canal over the river on a bridge.
What you actually see
- The 1209 cathedral - the first Gothic cathedral built in Germany.
- The Green Citadel - Hundertwasser's last building, finished in 2005.
- Otto I's tomb - the emperor's burial in the cathedral choir.
- The water bridge - a canal carried over the Elbe north of the city.
When to go
April to October; the cathedral closes during services and the tower climb is seasonal. The Green Citadel is residential and commercial with a courtyard open to visitors.
Honest expectations
The Green Citadel is mostly private apartments and offices; only courtyards and shops are open. Much of the city is postwar rebuilding.
Nearby
The Harz lies southwest; Wörlitz is southeast.
What to pack for Magdeburg
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
