Magdeburg between the cathedral, the Elbe and museums
Accommodation in Magdeburg
Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe. Its cathedral, museums, green spaces and cycle paths offer different perspectives on the city, from medieval art and architecture to contemporary art, natural history and outdoor experiences.
Cathedral, architecture and history
Magdeburg Cathedral is the first cathedral on German soil designed in the Gothic style. Emperor Otto is buried in a stone sarcophagus inside the cathedral. The Magdeburg Rider is another of the city's distinctive works of art: together with its two attendant figures, the sculpture is among the significant works of 13th-century European Gothic art.
Magdeburg is also the hub and the starting and end point of the northern and southern routes of the Romanesque Road. The Green Citadel, the final project of artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, adds another architectural highlight. It was completed in 2005. The city’s varied buildings invite visitors to shape their walk around different periods and artistic styles.
The Elbe, parks and outdoor routes
Rotehorn City Park is located on an island in the Elbe. Its old avenues, expansive meadows and sightlines to the cathedral define the park. Visitors who want to explore the city by bike can also take the Elbe Cycle Route, which runs through the heart of Magdeburg past parks, bridges and the cathedral. The paths are well developed, mostly flat and family-friendly.
You can also take in the surrounding area from the water. From the banks of the Elbe in Magdeburg, the WeiĂźe Flotte offers sightseeing cruises to the waterway junction and into the idyllic countryside. As routes and destinations may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before booking a specific trip.
At Magdeburg Zoo, the AFRICAMBO savannah landscapes include an elephant habitat with various vantage points and views. From there, visitors can observe elephants, vervet monkeys and aardwolves. Animal habitats and presentations may change, so please check the zoo’s latest information before your visit.
Museums spanning natural history and contemporary art
The Otto von Guericke Museum in the Lukasklause is devoted to Otto von Guericke’s life and work in a permanent exhibition. Replicas of historical instruments, pictures, documents and experiments illustrate his life. In contrast, the Kunstmuseum Magdeburg Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen focuses on works by contemporary artists from around the world; the exhibition extends across five floors.
The Museum of Natural History in Magdeburg holds more than 350,000 objects from geology, mineralogy, palaeontology, botany and zoology. Its permanent exhibition presents the ecological habitats of Saxony-Anhalt, from the Magdeburg Börde and the Elbe with its floodplains to the Harz Mountains. The Millennium Tower complements these subjects with a different approach to presenting knowledge. This walk-through spiral museum explores 6,000 years of the history of knowledge.
Visitors have been able to experience the tropics under glass at the Gruson Greenhouses since 1896. Magdeburg’s museums and exhibitions thus range from historical collections and natural history to botanical experiences and contemporary art.
An open-air museum in Randau
The Randau Stone Age Village is an open-air museum featuring reconstructed houses from three eras. At the shooting range, visitors can practise using a spear, as well as a bow and arrow. They can also buy bread baked in a clay oven. A visit combines a glimpse into reconstructed ways of life with hands-on activities and a local offering on site.
The Elbe Cycle Route in Saxony-Anhalt
The route’s further course also helps with travel planning. In Saxony-Anhalt, the Elbe Cycle Route follows the river for almost 350 kilometres, from Havelberg in the north to Lutherstadt Wittenberg in the south. In Magdeburg, it runs through the heart of the city; for detailed stage planning, it is advisable to consult the latest route information.
Discover more destinations: Magdeburg, Beyendorf, Stendal, Saalekreis, Harz, Burgenlandkreis, Jerichower Land.
Go to the main travel overview: Saxony-Anhalt.
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