Germany Guide
Thuringia
Krämerbrücke
If the Dom has the majesty, Erfurt's second landmark has all the charm. It doesn't stretch the imagination too far to visualize medieval traders in floppy hats trundling carts across the Krämerbrücke (Merchants' Bridge) east of Fischmarkt. The longest inhabited bridge in Europe and the only one north of the Alps – Erfurt is quick to point out that its bridge existed before that of its southern counterpart, Florence's Ponte Vecchio – thrived almost as soon as burghers tired of rebuilding wooden footbridges over the River Gera and erected this stone span in 1325. Merchants hawked luxury spices, medicines, dyes, silk and paper in 64 toy-town houses. The number has halved, but the trade remains quality stuff, including antiques, art and jewellery. The house at no. 31 is open as the Stiftung Krämerbrücke (Nov– April Tues– Sun 10am–6pm; May– Oct daily 10am–6pm; free) where you can nose into medieval cellars and peruse displays about the bridge. The picture-postcard view is from the tower of the Aegidienkirche (Tues– Sun 11am–5pm; €1.50).