Erfurt is a city of 213 000 people and is the capital city of the state of Thuringia. It's metropolitan area is called Thüringer Städtekette (Thuringian city chain) and has a half a million people. The city was first mentioned in documents in 742, when St. Boniface founded the diocese. The University of Erfurt was founded in 1379 and was the first university founded in what is now Germany today. It closed in 1816, but was re-established in 1994. Martin Luther was a student here between 1501-1505.
The Krämerbrücke is found here. It is one of the few remaining bridges that have inhabited buildings and has been inhabited for 500 years. It spans the Breistrom, which is a branch of the Gera River. The bridge connects two town squares - Benediktsplatz and Wenigemarkt. The bridge was built as a stone bridge in 1325. Houses were built on the bridge starting in 1486.
The Alte Synagoge (Old Synagogue) dates back to the late 11th century. It is thought to be the oldest synagogue building intact to its roof still standings in Europe. Since 2009 it has been used as a museum of local Jewish history.
Hohe Domkirche St. Marien zu Erfurt (Cathedral Church of St. Mary at Erfurt) in the largest and oldest church in Erfurt. Ground was broken on the site in the 12th century. Martin Luther was ordained here in 1507. The church bell, casted in 1497, is the largest surviving medieval bell in the world.
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