Erlangen combines a sense of Franconian conviviality with the international flair of an aspiring scientific university city.
On your city trip to Erlangen, immerse yourself in the lively hustle and bustle of a student city, sample the traditional beverages of the Franconians and explore the historic heart of the city with its splendid baroque buildings.
Once a year, at Pentecost, life in Erlangen enters chaos. If you take your short trip to Erlangen during this time, you will hear: “Der Berg ruft” (the mountain calls). The Bergkirchweih has been held here since 1755 and is therefore one of the oldest festivals in Germany. The festival grounds are on a slope of Erlangen’s “Burgberg” (castle hill), which becomes a giant beer garden. Beer garden benches are placed under the shadows of old chestnuts and oaks and invite you to stay awhile in the countless beer halls. Beverages are certainly flowing at Bergkirchweih, but you can also enjoy the fair stalls and merry-go-rounds and have a very social experience on your mini-break in Erlangen.
On a city break in Erlangen you will experience one of the smallest of Bavarian's large cities, but it is also home to the second-largest university of the Free State of Bavaria. The Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg was founded in 1742. The time-honoured institution is named after its founder, Margrave Friedrich of Brandenburg-Bayreuth and its patron, Karl Alexander of Brandenburg-Ansbach. Today the university has five faculties and is currently at the forefront of leading international research centres in the areas of scientific and technological research, and medicine.
On your city trip to Erlangen, discover the baroque-style Markgräfliche Schloss (Margrave’s Castle), built in 1702, located in the centre of the old town and right next to the castle gardens. The prestigious residency was once a gift from the Margrave to his wife, but it has since passed into the hands of the university in 1871. Today the building houses part of the university’s administration department and university management offices. There are more historical buildings around the castle gardens, which are now used by the university, for example the charming orangery, which demonstrates influences from the playful rococo style, is used as the history of art college.
The Erlangen Botanic Gardens, spanning two hectares, are located at the north side of the baroque castle gardens. They are also part of the university, but are visited by plant lovers and students alike. Relax in the carefully laid out gardens on your trip to Erlangen and maybe even learn about both indigenous and tropical plants outside in the gardens or in the large greenhouses.
