Travel information
Magdeburg used to be one of the most important medieval cities of Europe. During the Cold War era Magdeburg's population increased rapidly and the city became a socially and economically important center of the GDR. After the German reunification, however, most of the city's economy was shut down. Although Magdeburg is in a continous modernization process and its cityscape changed rapidly, it has to face the same problems like almost all cities of the same size in Eastern Germany: a decline of population due to more attractive jobs in western Germany. The division of Germany is still visible in some ways.
Nonetheless Magdeburg has become a modern city with numerous interesting sights of high importance and uniqueness, as well as many parks, which make Magdeburg the third greenest city in Germany. New shopping malls and other attractions have changed the cityscape enormously. Today Magdeburg has the largest retail area in relation to its overall area of whole Germany. Magdeburg is home of two of Germany's top ranking universities, which make it attractive to college students from all over Europe. Other scientific insitutions, like the Max-Planck-Insitut, and one of the largest sites of the Fraunhofer Institut, make Magdeburg an important city for international research.
Today's industry includes traditional and also new branches. The company "Röstfein" is one of the best coffee brands in eastern Germany, and the company "Abtshof" is known for its traditional and unique vodka production. The world's first artificial sweetener was produced in Magdeburg and is still in production. The production of wind energy is one of the newer industry branches.
Bike
Magdeburg is one of the greenest cities in Europe and the second greenest city in Germany. Riding your bike in Magdeburg is a perfect freetime activity. Since most of the streets have cycle tracks on the sides you will not have any problems with taking your bike into the city. Streetcars, busses, ferries, and S-Bahn trains allow you to take your bike with you, however, you may have to purchase an extra ticket for your bike.
A very nice way to explore the idyllic nature in and around Magdeburg is using the Elberadweg. This cycle path leads you all the way along the river Elbe and invites you to explore the unique biosphere reserve around Magdeburg. The cycle path's symbol is a white e on a blue ground. Signs guide you along the path and show you directions and distances to other towns, villages, and attractions. Many restaurants and beer gardens are right next to the river, as well as some nice hotels, playgrounds and parks. The web site for the Elberadweg is www.elberadweg.de (partly in English).
River cruises
There are several different river cruises offered by the Magdeburger Weiße Flotte GmbH. Here are some of the offers:
- Panoramafahrt: A 1.5 hour cruise along the skyline of Magdeburg. Starts and ends at the mooring Petriförder. Adults 8€, children 4€
- Große Acht: A cruise along the biggest waterway cross of Europe. Starts and ends at the mooring Petriförder. Adults 19.90€, children 12€
- Kleine Acht: A cruise along the biggest waterway cross of Europe. Starts and ends at the mooring Rothensee. Adults 14€, children 8€
- Trogbrückenüberfahrt: A small cruise over the waterway cross. Starts and end at the mooring Rothensee. Adults 5€, children 3€
- Kaffeefahrt: River cruise from the city center out to the town Schönebeck. Starts and ends at the mooring Petriförder. Adults 12€, children 6€
- Fahrt in den Abend: Rivercruise in the evening. Starts and ends at the mooring Petriförder. 15€ for everyone
Times and current special prices can be found directly at the moorings or in the tourist information center (Ernst-Reuter Allee 12, phone: 0391/19433). Tickets can be purchased on board. Reservations are not necessary most of the time if you come early enough. If you want to reserve tickets, contact the tourist information center in the city center (address and phone above)! Also contact the tourist information center for day-trip offers!
Churches
The Gothic cathedral of St. Maurice and St Catherine, known as the Magdeburger Dom, is possibly the most well-known sight in the city. It was built on the remains of a roman cathedral from 1209 to 1520. The romanesque Abbey Kloster unser lieben Frauen (Cloister Our Dear Woman), founded in the 11th century, is one of the most important romanesque buildings in Germany. Today it is, amongst other things, home to an art gallery. Also worth seeing is St. John's Church (Johanniskirche), recently rebuilt as a multipurpose space after being severely damaged in WWII.
Other important buildings
In the Elbauenpark the so-called Millennium Tower attracts many visitors. There is an exhibition on nature and history of humanity inside. In the city centre near the Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen and the cathedral is the Green Citadel, a house designed by the famous architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Museums
- Kulturhistorisches Museum, Otto-von-Guericke-Strasse, home to the famous statue Magdeburger Reiter
There are numerous shopping malls all over the city. In the center you have Karstadt, which used to be a mall during the cold war and is therefore the oldest of the city with its building still representing socialist architecture. After the reunification the city center got several new malls like the Allee Center, the Ulrichshaus and the City Carré. You will also find numerous stores (as well as bars and cafés) along the Breite Weg, which used to be one of the largest shopping streets in Europe before WWII and has now regained most of its popularity with modern architecture.
Some malls were also established in the suburbs of Magdeburg like the Elbe-Park, Flora-Park, Börde-Park and Pfahlberg. You'll find pretty much all kinds of goods at any of the named places.
For the most part stores are open from 8am to 20pm (22pm in some cases) from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays only the large malls open until 20pm, smaller stores are open until 12pm or 18pm. On Sundays stores are usually closed apart from stations and petrol stations.
To buy clothing visit Alle Center
Cocktailbar & Eventlounge ONE
Leiterstraße 1 39104 Magdeburg
Telefon: +49 (0)391. 5 44 35-93 Telefax: +49 (0)391. 5 44 35-94
one-md@web.de
Very modern and attractive bar with karaoke every sunday and monday and an open-stage event once every month.
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