The 7 Wonders of Germany

Cool Maps: 7 Wonders

Neuschwanstein Castle

"The conception of the castle was outlined by Ludwig II in a letter to Richard Wagner, dated May 13, 1868; 'It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin at Hohenschwangau near the Pollat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles...the location is the most beautiful one could find, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world.'"

Brandenburg Gate

"It constitutes the monumental termination of Unter den Linden, the renowned boulevard of Lime trees which led directly to the royal residence. It was commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II as a sign of peace and built by Carl Gotthard Langhans from 1788 to 1791."

Reichstag building

"The Reichstag building in Berlin was constructed to house the Reichstag, the original parliament of the German Empire. It was opened in 1894 and housed the Reichstag until 1933. It again became the seat of the German parliament in 1999 after a reconstruction led by internationally renowned architect Norman Foster."

Pergamon Museum

"The Pergamon Museum..is one of the museums on the Museum Island in Berlin. It was planned by Alfred Messel and Ludwig Hoffmann and was built over a period from 1910 to 1930. It houses original-sized, reconstructed monumental buildings such as the Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate of Miletus, and the Ishtar Gate, all consisting of parts transported from the original excavation sites."

Cologne Cathedral

"The cathedral is a World Heritage Site, being one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany, and Cologne's most famous landmark. Cologne Cathedral is one of the world's largest churches, being the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. For four years, 1880-84, it was the tallest structure in the world, until the completion of the Washington Monument followed by the Eiffel Tower."

Munich Frauenkirche

"The Frauenkirche was constructed from red brick in the late Gothic style within only 20 years. The building is designed very demure without rich gothic ornaments."

Residenz

"The Residenz (German word for residence) in the city center of Munich, Bavaria was the former royal residence of the Bavarian Dukes, Electors and Kings. The Residenz is the largest downtown palace in Germany and serves today as one of the finest room decoration museums in Europe."