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Saxony (Sachsen)-Anhalt is a virtual museum of medieval history. Along the whole length of the state runs the "Strasse der Romanik" (Romanesque Road), attracting some one million visitors a year. It passes along some 80 structures, churches, monestaries, castles and fortresses, dating back to the period 900-1250 CE. The path is a distorted figure eight with Magdeburg at crossover point.
Saxony-Anhalt has been dubbed "Luther's Land" inasmuch as Wittenberg and neighboring towns were the sites of the Reformation.
Saxony-Anhalt has five tourist regions,:
Altmark: A historic region with charming medieval towns: Gardelegen, Salzwedel, Stendal and Tangermünde Arendsee is a popular beach reort. Johann Joachim Winckelmann, the pioneering 18th century archaelogist, was born in Stendal, where his orignal documents and objects are on display.
Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg: Dessau has had a rich cultural history. It is where Walter Gropius established the style setting Bauhus School of Design. Kurt Weill, the composer was born there and is remembered at an annual festival. So was Moses Medelssohn, the great Jewish philosopher. Then there is the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm, which consists of the beautiful 18th century Oranienbaum Palace and a number of magnificent gardens in the Dessau area.
Elbe-Börde-Heide: 1200 year old Magdeburg is the state capital with extensive park and landscaped areas. Much of the city was rebuilt after years of communist rule.
Halle-Saale-Unstrut: Halle, a city of a quarter million is a cultural center with several theaters and an opera house.
Freyburg is the center of a wine-growing region, the northern-most in Europe. It is the headquarters of Rotkäppchen-Mumm, one of the world's major wine companies. Overlooking the town is 11th century Neuenburg castle, home of emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.
Along the Saale river, from Halle north to Nienbug, is the Naturpark Untere Saale. It was designed to preserve the natural beauty of the Saale river valley.
Harz: Naturpark Harz is a prime destination for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Wernigerode is known as the "Bunte Stadt," the colorful town of the Harz, because of its beautifully framed houses. Bad Sachsa is an attractive health resort. Quedlinburg, one of the best preserved medieval towns, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
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