Magdeburg is one of Germany's most overlooked urban treasures, combining centuries of history with modern reconstruction in a way that few other cities manage.
The capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, this city of around 240,000 people offers visitors a genuine German experience, free from the tourist crowds of Berlin or Munich.
The city's centrepiece is Magdeburg Cathedral, the first Gothic cathedral to be built on German soil.
The contrast between the medieval architecture and the Soviet-era buildings reflects a city that has been rebuilt many times, most recently after extensive damage in World War II.
Magdeburg cathedral on the Elbe river
Modern Magdeburg has emerged as a centre for environmental technology and mechanical engineering, with students from Otto von Guericke University filling the cafés and bars of the city.
Visitors are often surprised by Magdeburg's extensive parks and waterways. The Elbe River forms the city's natural backbone, offering miles of cycle paths and gardens that serve as an escape from urban life.
Magdeburg is located at the intersection of the former border regions between East and West Germany in the heart of Saxony-Anhalt.
The city straddles the Elbe River, which has shaped its geography and historical development as a trading hub. Its location along one of Europe's major waterways continues to influence its role as a transportation and logistics centre.
The surrounding region consists of the fertile Magdeburger Börde lowlands, home to some of Germany's richest soil and extensive agricultural activity. To the east, the landscape transitions into the Fläming Heath, while the Harz Mountains rise 60 kilometres to the southwest.
The city's location in the former East Germany has influenced its development and current character. Unlike many western German cities, Magdeburg has visible traces of GDR urban planning alongside its restored historical buildings.
Most visitors find that Berlin or Leipzig are the most practical options for getting to Magdeburg by air.
While Leipzig-Halle Airport is the closest, it only offers limited international connections (not including summer holiday destinations). In contrast, Berlin Brandenburg Airport offers flights to worldwide destinations and is especially useful for those arriving on long-haul journeys.
Hannover Airport offers a decent selection of flights to and from European cities.
Distance to Leipzig-Halle Airport: 105km
Distance to Berlin-Brandenburg Airport: 153km
Distance to Hannover Airport: 155km
Magdeburg's main railway station, Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof, is located on the edge of the city centre. German rail operators Deutsche Bahn offer regular ICE and IC services to major cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Cologne.
Regular regional trains also connect Magdeburg to surrounding cities and towns in Saxony-Anhalt, with frequent services to closer regional cities such as Leipzig, Berlin or Erfurt.
Magdeburg is a crucial junction within Germany's modern transport network, connecting east-west and north-south routes. The city is located near the intersection of the A2 (Berlin–Dortmund) and A14 (Dresden–Schwerin) motorways.
The B1 main road between Aachen and Berlin is another major east-west route.
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Magdeburg's history dates back more than twelve centuries, with the city's first documented mention occurring in 805 AD during the reign of Charlemagne.
It rose to prominence under the first Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I, who made it an archbishopric in 968. The Magdeburg Rights, a set of city laws developed in Magdeburg, became a standard for urban governance throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
Magdeburg's membership of the Hanseatic League during the medieval period marked its golden age, when its merchants traded across Europe. However, the city's prosperity came to a devastating end during the Thirty Years' War. Tilly's Imperial troops sacked the city in 1631, destroying nearly all of it and killing around 20,000 residents. This event, known as the 'Magdeburg Wedding', came to symbolise the brutality of the war and had a significant influence on European politics and literature.
Magdeburg reinvented itself as a Prussian fortress city following this destruction. Although the massive 18th-century fortifications limited urban growth, they also protected the city. Magdeburg emerged as an engineering centre during the Industrial Revolution, thanks to Otto von Guericke's scientific experiments and its reputation for technical innovation.
World War II brought another wave of destruction, with approximately 90% of the city centre being destroyed in Allied bombing raids.
View from the Rothorn park across the Elbe to Magdeburg cathedral
Magdeburg's reconstruction under Soviet occupation and subsequent GDR rule followed socialist urban planning principles, resulting in the wide boulevards and prefabricated housing blocks that still characterise parts of the city today. Heavy industry dominated the economy, though many historic buildings, including the cathedral, were carefully restored.
Magdeburg has undergone another period of transformation in the post-reunification era. Although the initial years brought economic challenges and a decline in population, the city has gradually reinvented itself as a centre for services and technology. The Otto von Guericke University was founded in 1993 and now attracts international students and researchers.
The Magdeburg Cathedral (Dom zu Magdeburg) is the city's defining landmark and the oldest Gothic cathedral to be built on German soil. This 13th-century building dedicated to Saints Maurice and Catherine houses the tomb of Otto I and is a prime example of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture. Visitors should time their visit for the morning, when sunlight streams through the stained glass windows, and climb the north tower to enjoy panoramic views of the city. The cathedral museum displays medieval treasures and illustrates the building's architectural development.
The Elbe Promenade, which runs alongside the Elbe River, offers a pleasant walking route connecting several key attractions. The Jahrtausendturm (Millennium Tower) in the Elbauenpark is Europe's tallest wooden tower and houses an interactive science exhibition across five floors. The surrounding park, which was developed for the 1999 Federal Garden Show, features extensive gardens and recreation areas which are ideal for visits in the summer months. The Magdeburg Water Bridge (Wasserstraßenkreuz), the world's largest navigable aqueduct, crosses the Elbe and showcases Magdeburg's engineering expertise.
The Millenium Tower in Magdeburg
The Alter Markt (Old Market Square) is the historic heart of Magdeburg. It is dominated by the striking Magdeburg Rider statue and the Renaissance-style Old Town Hall. Despite its name, the nearby Green Citadel stands out with its pink façade and unconventional design by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. This remarkable building houses shops, apartments and a hotel, and offers guided tours explaining its unique ecological concepts.
Magdeburg city hall
A visit to the Kunstmuseum Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen, housed in a Romanesque monastery, is an essential for anyone with an interest in culture. This unique art museum combines medieval architecture with contemporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the restored neoclassical Theater Magdeburg stages opera, ballet and dramatic performances, and the Puppet Theatre (Puppentheater) boasts one of Europe's largest puppet collections and presents original productions for adults and children alike.
The Otto von Guericke Museum explores the experiments of the renowned physicist, including the Magdeburg Hemispheres demonstration. The Technical Museum showcases industrial heritage through exhibits of heavy machinery and working steam engines.
The main Magdeburg tourist information office is situated on the Alter Markt near the historic town centre. The tourist office is open seven days a week with shorter opening hours on a Sunday. A smaller tourist information centre is located at Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof and is open six days a week Monday-Saturday.
Website: www.magdeburg-tourist.de