Dimitris’ Diary: Weimar, the impeccable city of culture and arts!

I arrived in Weimar in the late afternoon, as the last rays of sun gave a golden hue over the square and the surroundings of the central station (Hauptbahnhof). It was a beautiful scene, the city was quiet, the wide tree-lined streets, neatly arranged. I could practically feel the poetry that is still present. Weimar brings together architecture, art and plenty of culture and the essence of a countryside city really won me over!

I walked to the city center, the Theaterplatz, where there are the famous statues of Goethe and Schiller, renowned German writers who exempt further comments. Goethe describes the city as follows: “Weimar is not a city with a park, but a park with a city.” I really had this impression when strolling through the streets here.

One of the things that caught my attention was the cleanliness of the city, the broad, tree-lined sidewalks, a perfection that really impress. No wonder that the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

During the Cold War, the city of Weimar, located in the greenest state of Germany, Thuringia, came under Soviet rule. The city has always welcomed investments to maintain its architecture and organization in order during this entire period. In the post-war euros were injected millions to leave the impeccable city and become one of the capitals of culture in Europe, a title that the city won in 1999 and all perfectionism invested is still visible.

Although small and quiet, the city has plenty of young, mainly because of the Bauhaus University, quality reference in the teaching of Architecture and Urbanism. The presence of students in a way contrasts with the local population, which has a very high number of elderly. Weimar also has numerous museums, which is not surprising, since it is one of the richest cities in Germany culture. The Museum of Schiller and Goethe National Museum are indispensable for lovers of German literature. The Friedrich Nietzsche file is highly recommended too!

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is worth a visit too. It is possible to visit on your altar the famous painting “Christ on the Cross” (“Christus am Kreuz”), Lucas Cranach, which began in 1552/1553 shortly before his death and completed by his namesake son, in 1555. One of the details that the work is that the blood spurted by Jesus Christ on the cross is the blood of the painter himself.

The city is not very big, so I recommend you to do everything on foot, as you will be able to catch all the minor details that will make you really fall in love with the city. My personal suggestion is to sit in the square taking a delicious melon milkshake in Eiscafé Venezia!

Another “must” for those who like pork meat is the famous and traditional sausage of the region, called Thüringer Rostbratwurst, which is sold in many parts of the city!

I’ll pack my bags now for my next and final destination of this journey which is Dresden, a city considered by many as one of the most beautiful in Germany! Is it true? Come and see me in the next chapter of my diary!

See you then!

Dimitris.