Erfurt is the capital city of the state of Thuringia (Thüringen) located in the "green heart of Germany". Erfurt was first recognized in 742 A. D. and has grown in the middle ages from being an important intersection of the old trading routes to become a powerful centre of the trading industries and an important university.

The former wealth of the city may be witnessed in the many carefully restored renaissance and half-timbered houses which, with many other buildings and the Krämerbrücke make up one of the best preserved historical city centres of medieval times in Germany. At one time the 36 parish churches and chapels as well as 15 monasteries and ecclesiastical foundations were responsible for Erfurt having been given the nicknames "Rome of Thuringia" and "erfordia turrita" (tower crowned Erfurt). The capital city of Thuringia is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities of Germany.