World Heritage sites in Germany
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Hildesheim: Overlooking the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary © GNTB/Florian Trykowski
With a rich cultural legacy, historic towns and enchanting landscapes, it's little wonder that Germany is home to a staggering 46 World Heritage sites. The cradle of Modernism, Lutherism, classical music and fine art has Bauhaus gems, handsome cathedrals and charming old towns to marvel at. But this is also a country with strong industrial roots, so World Heritage sites in Germany come in the form of the Erzgebirge Mining Region and Völklingen Ironworks, and where cliff-top castles, manicured gardens and wild landscapes provide balance to Germany's cosmopolitan cities. From Bamberg's charming old town to Berlin's Modernist housing estates, Zollverein coalmine to resplendent Aachen Cathedral, Margravial Opera House to the vast Wadden Sea and the impossibly sited Wartburg Castle, prepare to be amazed.
- Bamberg Old TownNorthern Bavaria: Franconia
- Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of QuedlinburgSaxony-Anhalt
- Hanseatic Town of LübeckHamburg and Schleswig-Holstein
- Historic Centre of StralsundMecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Historic Centre of WismarMecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Old Town of Regensburg and StadtamhofNorthern Bavaria: Franconia
- Bauhaus sites in DessauSaxony-Anhalt
- Bauhaus sites in BernauBaden-Württemberg
- Berlin Modernism Housing EstatesBerlin and Brandenburg
- Fagus Factory in AlfeldBremen and Lower Saxony
- Le Corbusier's work – the houses in the Weissenhof housing estateBaden-Württemberg
- Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus district with ChilehausHamburg and Schleswig-Holstein
- Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management SystemBremen and Lower Saxony
- Erzgebirge Mining RegionSaxony
- The water management system of AugsburgMunich and central Bavaria
- Völklingen IronworksRhineland-Palatinate and Saarland
- Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in EssenNorth Rhine-Westphalia
- Aachen CathedralNorth Rhine-Westphalia
- Carolingian Westwork and Civitas CorveyNorth Rhine-Westphalia
- Cologne CathedralNorth Rhine-Westphalia
- Lorsch AbbeyHesse
- Maulbronn Monastery ComplexBaden-Württemberg
- Monastic Island of ReichenauBaden-Württemberg
- Naumburg CathedralSaxony-Anhalt
- Speyer CathedralRhineland-Palatinate and Saarland
- St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church in HildesheimBremen and Lower Saxony
- Wieskirche Pilgrimage ChurchThe Alps and eastern Bavaria
- Garden Kingdom of Dessau-WörlitzSaxony-Anhalt
- Germany's Ancient Beech Forests: Jasmund National ParkMecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Germany's Ancient Beech Forests: Müritz National ParkMecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Germany's Ancient Beech Forests: Grumsin ForestBerlin and Brandenburg
- Germany's Ancient Beech Forests: Hainich National ParkThuringia
- Germany's Ancient Beech Forests: Kellerwald-Edersee National ParkHesse
- Messel Pit Fossil SiteHesse
- Muskauer ParkSaxony
- The Wadden SeaHamburg and Schleswig-Holstein
- Upper Middle Rhine ValleyRhineland-Palatinate and Saarland
- Wilhelmshöhe ParkHesse
- Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust in BrühlNorth Rhine-Westphalia
- Palaces and parks of PotsdamBerlin and Brandenburg
- Palaces and parks of BerlinBerlin and Brandenburg
- Wartburg CastleThuringia
- Würzburg Residence Palace and Court GardensNorthern Bavaria: Franconia
- Berlin Museum IslandBerlin and Brandenburg
- Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian JuraBaden-Württemberg
- Classical WeimarThuringia
- Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Upper Germanic-Rhaetian LimesRhineland-Palatinate and Saarland
- Luther memorials in EislebenSaxony-Anhalt
- Luther memorials WittenbergSaxony-Anhalt
- Margravial Opera House in BayreuthNorthern Bavaria: Franconia
- Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the AlpsBaden-Württemberg
- Roman monuments, the Cathedral and Church of Our Lady in TrierRhineland-Palatinate and Saarland
- The Archeological Border Complex of Hedeby and the DanevirkeHamburg and Schleswig-Holstein
- Town hall and Roland statue in BremenBremen and Lower Saxony
Related tailor-made travel itineraries for Germany
Historic town centres
Some of the best World Heritage sites in Germany come in the form of chocolate-box town centres with long and varied histories. Wandering through narrow streets to discover half-timbered houses, handsome town halls and Roman city gates, you'll be sure to have your imagination fired.
- Learn more about Germany's historic town centres
- Check out 5 of Germany's most romantic town centres
Architecture and design
Most famous as the birthplace of Bauhaus, Germany's architecture and design is something to write home about. The Bauhaus school was founded in 1919 in Weimar; several Bauhaus gems survive to be explored, while many of the country's Modernist housing estates are still lived in today.
- Learn more about Germany's architecture and design
- Read up on Germany's stylish Modernish architecture or these exceptional examples of architectural structures in Germany
Industrial heritage
Germany's rich history and culture is tied up with its industrial heritage, and these World Heritage sites make fascinating places to visit. Pushing technological boundaries, Germany's industrial heritage sites range from mining regions to sophisticated water-management systems.
- Learn more about Germany's industrial heritage
- Discover 7 of the most unusual World Heritage sites in Germany
Churches and abbeys
Germany is home to some truly spectacular religious architecture. Cathedral spires, monastic islands and pretty abbeys are top pulls even in a stellar list of World Heritage sites.
- Learn more about Germany's churches and abbeys
- Uncover the best of Germany's spiritual sites
Cultural and intellectual history
From old Viking settlements to Martin Luther memorials and the Classical city of Weimar, helm of the German Enlightenment, Germany heralds a long cultural and intellectual legacy represented by a number of World Heritage sites. Don't miss Berlin's Museum Island, home to a clutch of world-class museums.
- Learn more about Germany's cultural and intellectual history
- Visit Germany's significant historic World Heritage sites
Nature, gardens and landscapes
Nature, gardens and landscapes are well represented in Germany. Wide-open spaces such as the Wadden Sea and the country's ancient beech forests are juxtaposed with manicured formal gardens and landscaped parks. There's something for everyone here.
- Learn more about Germany's nature, gardens and landscapes
- Stretch your legs at the 6 best spots in Germany for exploring the great outdoors
Palaces and castles
Lavishly decorated palaces and castles, from Potsdam to Würzburg, prove to be show-stopping German World Heritage sites. You can't fail to be impressed by the expense, expertise and extravagance on show.
- Learn more about Germany's palaces and castles
- Marvel at 5 of Germany's most elegant castles, palaces & gardens
Find out more about Germany's World Heritage gems by downloading our free eBook
Thumbnail images: Bamberg Old Town Hall © GNTB/Francesco Carovillano; Weisse Stadt: Laubenganghaus, Berlin-Reinickendorf © CC BY-SA 3.0 Torstenww, WikiCommons; Essen: heritage-protected colliery at Zollverein © GNTB/Francesco Carovillano; Insel Reichenau: Herb garden with poppies © Helmuth Scham/Tourist Office Reichenau; Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth © Bavarian Palace Department/Heiko Oehme; Jasmund National Park © Lookphotos/Guenther Bayerl; The Orangery Palace at Sanssouci © GNTB/Jens Wegener
This content was created in partnership with the German National Tourist Board.
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written by
Rough Guides Editors
updated 7/15/2021
