Iconic Buildings and Timeless Landmarks

Start your route from Leipzig at 8:30 am.

Park your car here just a few steps away from the historic centre of Halle to begin your discovery of German architecture.

Your visit to Halle begins in the city's landmark market square.
The square retains the same medieval matrix as in the past, and the market has been active since 1100.
Walking around this impressive square will take you back in time.

Within the square stands the Roter Turm (Red Tower), which will fascinate you with its grandeur and ability to dominate the entire square.
The Roter Turm is an excellent paradigm of a late Gothic style; it reaches a total height of just over 84 metres, making it the tallest medieval building in the city.
The tower also owes its fame to the German expressionist artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who painted it in 1915 in his picture 'Der Rote Turm in Halle'.

The Market Church is considered one of the most important late Gothic buildings in central Germany.
Its four towers, together with the Red Tower, are the landmark of the city, hence the nickname 'Stadt der fünf Türme' (City of Five Towers).
The church was built between 1529 and 1544, making it the sacred building of Halle's medieval period.
It is also historically important, as Martin Luther had the opportunity to deliver his sermons in this complex.

Continuing the tour of Halle, it is impossible not to admire the Halle District Court, leaving behind a medieval architecture in favour of a modern one.
The building was constructed between 1903 and 1905, and is an excellent example of Guglielmini's historical court buildings.
The complex is a mixture of styles from Gothic to Renaissance to Art-Nouveau.
It is possible to visit the building Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
For more information visit the official website.

The Opera House in Halle was built in 1886, and at that time it was one of the most modern theatres in Europe.
The architect designed the best possible fire protection for this theatre.
What can be seen today is a reconstruction of the original theatre that was attacked and almost destroyed during the Second World War.
It is possible to visit the interior of the theatre from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The last stop in Halle is the Martin Luther-Halle Wittenberg University.
A cultural symbol of the city, of unique grandeur this university will give you the opportunity to observe the architecture of the old German universities being.
Fun Fact: here Kristian Wolff delivered the first ever philosophy lecture in German and not Latin.

Get back in the car and continue your road trip.

Park your car here in the centre of Dessau to explore the city.
The car park is open daily from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm.

Before starting your visit to Dessau, stop for lunch at this delightful German home-style restaurant.
The restaurant's speciality is savoury pancakes, both meat and vegetarian, as well as a rich and tasty variety of German cuisine.
The restaurant is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.
For more information see the official website.

The Bauhaus Museum in Dessau is located in one of the city's many parks and is a must-see if you want to study the pioneer style of the time: the Bauhaus.
Its cubic façade of mirrors is a spectacle for the eyes and lovers of perspective.
The museum houses 49 000 works, making it the second largest collection of Bauhaus-related objects in the world.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
For more information on visiting the museum visit the official website.

Before returning to the car, it is impossible not to stop and admire the Marienkirche church with its marked Gothic style.
The church was completely destroyed during World War II, later rebuilt but no longer consecrated.
Today, the church hosts various cultural events in the city.

Pick up the car and head for your next stop of the day.

Park your car here to explore one of the most incredible places in Postdam: the Sanssouci Park.

Walk through the Sanssouci Park whose castles and gardens were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, demonstrating the uniqueness of this place.
The interior of the park is dotted with numerous artistic objects that fully define the paradigm of absolute beauty.
The park is open from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm.

One of the most enchanting and peaceful places in the whole complex is undoubtedly the Church of Peace.
Built by Frederick William IV of Prussia, it is a clear tribute to Italian architecture, the Church of San Clemente in Rome being the model from which the architects took their inspiration.
The Church appears lively and colourful thanks to the use of different marbles.

Continuing your walk in Postdam, head towards the city's Brandenburg Gate.
Built at the behest of Frederick II of Prussia, this gate's architecture is strongly influenced by the Arch of Constantine in Rome, in fact it is very reminiscent of a Roman triumphal arch.
The distinguishing feature of this gate is the marked difference between the two main sides, being built by two different architects.

Continue your walk through the park to get your car and head to one of the most iconic places in Postdam.

Park your car here to stroll through the historical centre of Postdam.

Take a stroll through one of the most iconic places in Postdam, the Dutch Quarter built in the 18th century to accommodate Dutch immigrants.
This district is a treasure trove of Baroque architecture, and a clear example of typical Dutch houses with exposed red brick and white windows.

The last architectural point of interest, before going to dinner, is the Nauner Tor, or city gate.
The gate represents one of the earliest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe, drawing inspiration from Inveraray Castle erected according to the dictates of British neo-Gothic architecture.

Dine at this delicious fish restaurant and more.
Here you can also sip regional German beers and be greeted by the warmth of the restaurant staff.
The restaurant is open from 12:00 am to 10:00 pm, and is closed on Wednesdays.
For more information see the official website.

Get back in the car and head for the last stop of the day.

Sleep in this hotel on the Polish border to recharge your batteries for the next day's discovery of Polish architecture.
The hotel offers its guests free parking.
Before getting back in the car, take advantage of the hotel's generous breakfast (not included in the room price) to start the day off on the right foot.