Erlangen

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We visited Forchheim and Erlangen on the same day. Forchheim is dotted with historical timber framed (Fachwerk) houses. But Erlangen is characterised with broad streets, exuberant palaces and formal gardens of the 1600s and 1700s. The key touristic sights are: Schlossgarten, Orangery, Botanical Garden, Hugenottenkirche,  Markgräfliches Schloss, Marktplatz, etc. 


The railway station in Erlangen is very close to the city. It may be the city (which I had been) with the shortest distance to the town centre. The railway station is located at the south western side of the map above. Nearby are the major sightseeing points. So close and easy!

We arrived easily to the Schloßplatz. It is the focal point of Erlangen’s pedestrian zone and venue for the city’s big events. A few paces in front of the palace (Schloß) is a statue for Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, who founded the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in 1742. On the west side is the Paulibrunnen, a Neo-Renaissance fountain with two allegorical figures on its basin: Erlangia, representing industry and commerce, and Alma Mater, symbolising science.

Margrave Castle (Markgräfliches Schloss) was built 1700-04.  During the castle fire on January 1814, it burned down completely and was only rebuilt for the university in 1820s. Today it is administration office of the Friedrich Alexander University (FAU).  Nearby are the Orangery and Schlossgarten.  Many residents enjoyed strolling around. The atmosphere was very relaxing.



You will not miss out The 52-meter-high tower of Hugenottenkirche, constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries for the Huguenots (French Protestants). The architecture is simple and elegant. The church clock is white, red and blue, after the French Tricolore. 

The idyllic Botanical Garden lies north of the Schlossgarten and is also managed by the university. It houses over 4,000 species of plants and trees from numerous ecosystems and climatic zones, plus extensive greenhouses, a spice garden and rare, exotic plants. It keeps on drawing visitors to admire the wonderful set up and harmonious living spaces shared by uncountable species. The garden is punctuated with ponds that are home to countless frogs and fish.











Location: Erlangen, Germany

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