Anyone on a voyage of discovery through Germany and at the same time sticking to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites will on the one hand be travelling for a long time – there are after all 48 recognised sites – and on the other hand they will discover that behind each destination are hidden some quite varied places. Alongside the tourist interest that comes with the distinction there are, however, also obligations, such as keeping up the care of the ‘object’.
Equally steeped in tradition is the Romantik Hotel Weinhaus Messerschmitt. The hotel’s history dates back to 1422, and wine was being served here as far back as 1832. Enjoy seasonally-inspired dishes in the restaurant – in addition to fresh fish from the river Main, there are also game dishes from the local hunt on the menu.
Weimar has a double ‘World Heritage Site’ boast. First of all there is the so-called ‘Classical Weimar’, which first and foremost recognises ‘the predominant role of Weimar as a spiritual centre in the late 18th and early 19th centuries’. Take a stroll in the footsteps of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Johann Gottfried Herder and Friedrich Schiller. A well put together, informative and at the same time entertaining guided tour of the city ensures it’s all far more interesting than it was in history and German lessons at school …
The Bauhaus and its sites in Weimar and Dessau have also been World Heritage Sites since 1996. Walter Gropius founded the State Bauhaus in 1919 as an art school in Weimar. Even today, the style and ideas continue to have a strong influence on architecture in particular.
The Romantik Hotel Dorotheenhof Weimar is located in an idyllic park a little outside the town and is in many ways closely bound to Weimar’s artistic side. In addition to a small gallery displaying a changing array of exhibitions, the hotel garden from May to September becomes the showcase for ‘Sculpture.Weimar’ featuring exceptional sculptures by contemporary artists.
Thanks to a historically constructed heart to the town which extends across more than 80 hectares, Quedlinburg is one of the largest heritage areas in Germany. The enclosed heart of the town which dates back to the Middle Ages documents more than six centuries of half-timbered construction. Masterpieces of the Romantic period include the St. Servatius collegiate church with the graves of the first German King Heinrich I and his wife Mathilde along with the splendid cathedral treasury.
In the half-timbered building of a former distillery which is today a protected monument and the adjoining Whilhelminian palace – within walking distance of the mediaeval town centre – is the Romantik Hotel am Brühl. During the summer, you can enjoy breakfast or some sustenance between meals in the large, leafy inner courtyard.
The Völklinger Hütte in Saarland in 1994 became the world’s first industrial monument to be raised to the status of World Heritage Site. This former ironworks ceased production in 1986. As far back as the 19th century, the ‘Röchling’schen Eisen- und Stahlwerke’ was Germany’s largest manufacturer of iron girders. As well as an exciting tour over more than 5 km, the site invites visitors to a range of cultural events and exhibitions (for example ‘Asterix and the Celts’ which is taking place through to 9 April 2012).
A 20-minute drive away awaits the Romantik Hotel Linslerhof in Überherrn. The estate first appeared on official deeds back in 1154. Today, the large site impresses primarily with its exceptional range of services: in addition to stalls for livery horses there is, for example, a school of hunting and a highly modern underground shooting complex. A comprehensive programme of events also ensures a rich diversity.
In 2009, the German Wadden Sea was added to the world heritage list as the largest Wadden Sea in the world, putting it on a par with natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The area alongside the North Sea coast of Germany, measuring approximately 450 kilometres long and up to 40 kilometres wide, is flooded with water twice a day creating a quite exceptional and varied environment for animals and plants. A total of some 10,000 different species are supported here. The effects of water and wind mean the landscape is subject to constant changes and is exceptionally dynamic. The Wadden Sea also has a cultural past, with men constructing dikes and using the area predominantly for ‘nourishment’ and recuperation. A holiday by the Wadden Sea means long walks or bicycle rides in the fresh air (with a healing effect on skin and lung diseases) and observing animals.
The island of Juist lies in the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea and is the longest island in East Frisia. One natural feature is the ‘Hammersee’, the largest freshwater lake on a North Sea island which provides an important source of food and resting area for insects and birds. Here on the island, the Romantik Hotel Achterdiek is ready to welcome you. The hotel, which takes all its electricity from renewable energy, appears perfectly integrated in its environment. Take a seat in the hallway with its open fire, reminiscent of a typical East Frisian living room and chat with your host over the weekly ‘catch-up’ accompanied by sparkling wine.
Just three kilometres from the coast, on the East Frisian mainland, the Romantik Hotel Reichshof in Norden looks forward to your visit. The hotel’s history began as a brewery, with the former Doornkaat granary being added at a later stage. But don’t worry, East Frisian tea also promises excellent indulgence within these walls.
Amrum is one of the North Frisian islands and is just outside of the Wadden Sea. The old school house was turned into what is today the Romantik Hotel Hüttmann at the end of the 19th century. Whether it’s a special benefits menu which is currently raising money to restore the historical gravestones in the old cemetery in Nebel or the ‘Amrum Sand and Oil Massage’, the hotel’s range of services provides constant reference to its geographical location.
Sylt is the largest of the North Sea islands. The island’s widespread elitist image does not do justice to its variety. Countless high-profile cultural and sporting events, a (health) tourism industry that’s steeped in tradition and a past that can be traced back to the Stone Age attract a broad spectrum of travellers. The Romantik Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof in Keitum sees itself as an ‘island on an island’. The ‘Artisan Menu’ provides a quite exceptional experience for all the senses. The exquisite array of dishes created by head chef Julien Dherbecourt, which is constantly adapted to suit the seasons, is complemented by exclusive creations by artisans from Sylt which adorn the table. These include a hand-woven tablecloth, mouth-blown glasses and specially forged napkin rings.
This is by no means a complete list of Germany’s World Heritage Sites. In the future we will continue this series with heritage sites which you can include to create your own interesting round trips.
