In the shadow of Berlin’s bustling metropolis lies a hidden gem, a small city brimming with charm and untold stories: Magdeburg. Just a mere two-hour train ride away, Magdeburg often finds itself overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. But within its historic streets and captivating architecture lies a captivating tale waiting to be told, showcasing the enchantment of this overlooked destination.
We started to explore the outskirts of Berlin when the Deutschland-Ticket became available. With only 49 euros, commuters are allowed to travel throughout Germany using any means of public transportation (except IC, ICE, and other regional trains operated by DB). What a steal! Of course, we don’t want to let this monthly pass go to waste.
Since we had already been to Potsdam and Brandenburg, I wanted to explore another part of Berlin’s surroundings, and Magdeburg was my first choice.
Transit Guide
Ticket price : about €3 (without Deutschland-Ticket)
Transportation : RB and RE train
Total cost : about €20-25 per person (including meal, attraction, tickets)
What to see: Dom zu Magdeburg, Hubbrücke Magdeburg
Dom zu magdeburg
At the heart of Magdeburg stands a majestic architectural masterpiece, the Magdeburg Cathedral, also known as the Dom. Its towering spires and intricate Gothic design command attention, beckoning visitors to step inside and immerse themselves in centuries of history.
Magdeburg Dom is the first Gothic cathedral in Germany. Construction of this architectural marvel began in the 13th century, and it took nearly three centuries to complete. The cathedral stands on the site where an earlier Romanesque cathedral once stood, which was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1207. Throughout the centuries, the Magdeburg Cathedral has withstood numerous challenges, including damage during World War II. Yet, it has been meticulously restored, preserving its historical significance and architectural splendor. Today, the cathedral serves not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of Magdeburg’s resilience and its rich cultural heritage.
The interior of the Cathedral awed me away. With all-white pillars and ceiling, it looked mighty and divine. So incredible that you wanted to snap a picture of it. But wait! You are advised to “donate” 2 euros for taking pictures. There are “guards” who patrolled around and reminded visitors to “donate before taking any pictures”. I could say, it was 2 euros well spend!
The special trait about this cathedral is that you are allowed to climb and be on top of the Dom! We almost missed this chance when we had no idea how to book the ticket. It was not available online and when we were there, it was almost lunch time. Luckily with our broken German, we managed to ask the receptionist inside the church. Remember this: to get the ticket, just simply go inside the church, turn to the left to the receptionist table and ask for the ticket. Should the ticket still available, they will tell you and encourage you to join.
There are 2 types of tours available in this cathedral which are: tour of the cathedral and tour to the tower of the cathedral. They do not cover each other. Means, when you choose to get the tour of the cathedral, it won’t cover the tour to the tower. Obviously we chose the tour to the tower.
The tour started at 2 PM when we were there. There were only 10 slots available for each tour session. We gathered in front of the door to the tower, which was located on the ground floor, the same floor as the main gate. Yes, there were 430 steps to the top of the tower. Exciting!
The tour guide was an old local man who was really sweet, helpful, and funny. Compared to his age, we were quite surprised that he managed to climb all the stairs to the top, while explaining here and there, and doing this 2 times a week. Right, the tour was in German.
It was about 1,5 hours tour because we were not only climbing the stairs but we were also stopping at each room of the towers. There was one room that grabbed our attention, which was “bell room”. It was a room where the dangling bell of the church located. We were waiting in that very room for the bell to ring, and boy, how our ears ring too!
For us, it was the best ever experience we had in a cathedral visit because not all cathedral allowing visitor to climb up to the tower, let alone to see its own bell ringing before your eyes.
Bridge over the elbe river (Hubbrücke magdeburg)
Elbe River is the longest river in Europe and it passes Magdeburg! But, the spotlight here was not on the Elbe River, but rather on the Bridge itself. From far, the Bridge looks normal and meh. But, boy was I wrong.
The Bridge itself is unique, in my opinion. It has 80s vibe from its wood and metal. If you notice the wood properly, there are carved of names and wishes on it. I believe, to celebrate special occasions, people in Magdeburg reserve the place on the plank and had it carved. Such a sweet gesture!
We took about 30 minutes to admire (and taking pictures of) the bridge. Another way to enjoy the scenery was for us to sit on the bench by the bridge. It was so rewarding, under the sun while the wind blowed.
Though we only had one day (less than, even!) to spend in Magdeburg, this city has a special place in our heart already. This so-not-too-busy city has more corners to explore and I plan to do so one day. It is truly recommended to visit Magdeburg should you have a day to spare. Not so far from Berlin, but you get to experience a whole other nuance.
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