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Following in the tracks of a traveling poet

For Goethe, "traveling" always meant more than just a change of location. His work was so versatile, and just as diverse is the route through Middle Germany named after him. The "Goethe Route" connects the most important aspects of Goethe's life and work. As we pass from Frankfurt through Erfurt as far as Leipzig, we experience the landscapes and cultural assets of the regions that shaped Goethe's work and his personality. We begin our journey at the city of the poet's birth, Frankfurt on Main - a metropolis that thrives on its contrasts and astonishing cultural program.

Not only is Goethe's birthplace worth a visit, historically important places such as St Paul's Church or the "Römer", the city's ancient town hall, also leave a lasting impression. Continuing onwards, the Goethe Route leads us through dreamy landscapes until we arrive in Fulda. It was there in 1765, at the age of 16, that Goethe was deeply touched for the first time by the sights of the city such as St Michael's Church and the City Palace. At this stage he was already writing poetry, inspired by the atmosphere of the place. Heading north, we reach Eisenach - a city that is known in particular for the historic "Wartburg". Goethe's assignments as a statesman and also his interests as a naturalist frequently led him into this area.

Today, this locality still reminds travelers of the stately and cultural life of past centuries. Passing through Erfurt, where Goethe met Napoleon for the first time in October 1808, we arrive at the city with which Goethe is most closely associated: Weimar, "European City of Culture 1999". Goethe lived here from 1775 until his death. The coffin of Friedrich Schiller, one of his closest poet friends, lies beside him in the mausoleum where he is buried. One of the best known sights in Weimar is Goethe's summer-house on the Ilm where he wrote parts of "Iphigenie" amongst other works. Right up until the present day, Weimar has remained a center of intellectual and cultural life. In Jena we reach the penultimate stop on our poetical journey. Jena was an especially important city in Goethe's life, which he visited frequently between 1775 and1830. It was here that he first met Friedrich Schiller.

"Goethe's memorial" and his first monument are not the only sites worth experiencing. The botanical garden and the mineralogical collection, which originated under his management, should also not be missed. Leipzig, or "small Paris" as Goethe once called it, is the final point on our journey. Here the young writer studied law from 1765-1768. Alone the fact that Goethe's world-famous "Faust" was created here gives the city a special status. Visit the impressive "Auerbachs Keller" (Auerbach's Cellar) in Leipzig, amongst other places of interest, as well as the churches of St. Nikolai and St. Thomas.

The 230km long silver route begins in Zwickau ehere the Trabant used to be manufactured. Apart from cloth weaving, it was mainly silver mining in nearby Schneeberg which made the residents of Zwickau prosperous in the Middle Ages. Everything comes from down the mine – 500 years after mining began, this old miner’s saying is certainly true for the once extensive but now sealed silver desposits in the Erzgebirge. The Erzgebirge – one of the most important mining regions in Germany – still has a lot of influence on many areas of life today.

The cultivation on mining tradiotion is increasingly proving to be a tourist magnet. The silver ropute which threads its way through the Erzgebirge like a silver band has many rich treasures of sacred ans secular arts, churches, cathedrals and traditional parades. Guests can experience the unique wood-carving and toy production all year around, not just at Christmas. Typical craftsman’s techniques which are unique in the world, such as hoop turning and “Spanbäumchen” cutting, angel lights, nutcrackers, “Räuchermännchen” (incense figures) and pyramids are all traditional crafts. Parts of the silver route also give cyclistsm or ramblers the opportunity to get to know the largest open-air museum in the world or to experience this tradition and customs as participants in the museum tour.

In the Hunsrück-Nahe region, on of the most beautiful areas of low mountain countryside in Germany, there is a treasure chest of precious objects which are unique and fascinating waiting to be discovered away from any noise and hectic rush – the German precious stones route. On a round trip of around 48km this route links all places around Idar-Oberstein which have been shaped by the processing of precious stones. In over 60 cutting shops visitors can watch the craftsmen of the precious stones and designing jewellery. The origins of the cutting of precious stones, which can be traced back to the rich mineral findings in this region and their quarrying since the Middle Ages, are demonstrated by two still intact agate cutting shops. Even today, visitors can dig for sparkling stones in the precious stone mines in Steinkaulenberg. If anyone would like to learn the art of designing his or her own piece of jewellery, (s)he can learn how in the cutting and goldsmith courses on offer. The German Precious Stone Museum and the museum underneath the Felsenkirche have high-carat goods to offer.

At the gate of the German Precious Stone Museum in the copper mine in Fischbach, more of the treasures hidden in the earth can be marvelled at. Meditation in the mine, which takes place on Mondays and Fridays, is a source of peace and strength. The healing powers of precious stones can also be experienced in courses. A very special little treasure chest is the small town of Herrstein with its half-timbered buildings. The Wildenburg (castle) near Kempfeld is the centre for ramblers and nature-lovers, where a historical trail, a forest experience trail and a large game enclosure invite you to take a stroll. The unique variety of the German precious stones route means that parts of it are just asking to be explores in more detail during rambling or cycle tour.

From now on, Germany can be crossed from the island Rügen in the north to Lake Constance in the south along tree-lined avenues. This tourist route runs first through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to Rheinsberg and from there either through Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt to Goslar, or via Dresden through the Erzgebirge region to Thüringen. From Meiningen it continues through Hesse via Koblenz, the Rhine-taunus natural park and the Pfälzer Forest to Ettlingen near Karlsruhe. It is here that the eighth and last stage begins, which takes us through the Black Forest to Meersburg on Lake Constance and to the End of the route on the island of Reichenau.

The purpose of the tourist trail is not only to draw people’s attention to the tree-lined avenues which are well worth preservation but also to the sights of the region along the way. Exact route descriptions can be obtained from the tourist offices of the individual regions. This tourist route was set up as an initiative of the German motoring association ADAC in co-operation with tourist information and nature conservation associations.

The tree-lined avenues cover 2500km of Federal and Regional roads and show nature and roads in harmony at many idyllic spots. This tour passes through magnificent countryside, almost always driving beneath limes, oaks, chestnut and other magnificent old trees. Depending on the season, yellow rape or cornfield with red poppies and blue cornflowers can be seen through the trees. Small towns dominated by towers and villages with their own castle, historical, classical buildings and squares with their museums invite friends of culture and ramblers to stop for a while; the harmony of land and sea presents itself to bathing and water-sport holidaymakers – a typical example of this being the Mönchgut peninsula. Whoever decides to do the tour by bicycle will find a large number of hospitable small pubs along the route offering plenty of opportunities for a stop for refreshment.