Kramer Brucke Fest

A lot of cities have a city fest. Erfurt has a bridge fest, celebrating our Merchant's Bridge, the longest bridge in Europe with houses on both sides. It's full of small shops selling ceramics, books, art, local goods, a chocolateria and a few cafes. An old Methodist church anchors one end with a large tower standing tall. Underneath runs our mighty river, the Gera (mighty as in Mighty Mouse (small, but awesome)).

The festival started Friday and went until Sunday. The highlight was Saturday with fireworks over the Dom (cathedral) at midnight, capping off the longest day full of action. All over town were stages with live music, medieval shows, markets, random guys in knight suits and food tents. Wherever you went in the downtown, it was packed, as it seemed most of the 200,000 people in town came out at some point. About 10,000 were on Domplatz for the fireworks.

The medival section as usual was the best, selling goods from the old days, cooking in huge pots or pans over a large wood fire, everyone wearing clothes from back then, knights in armor walking around, sword shows and gypsy bands playing. You never knew what you were going to see, from the prices being in the Taler (very old currency) or a pirate ship bar, next to 3 bagpipers on stage at the same time.


Sunny side view of the Merchant's Bridge

Looking down from the church tower with the Erfurt Dom and church in the background

Lots of action on the bridge

Sword fight at Wenigemarkt

The Domplatz and the festival

Live music at the Domplatz right before the fireworks

Musicians on the Kramer Brucke

Old fashioned cooking