For many visitors, one of the first cultural surprises in Germany arrives not at a famous castle or … (More)
Featured Stories
Rotkohl – German Red Cabbage
Red cabbage is often used raw for salads but can also be eaten cooked. This German vegetable dish is a favorite and can be served with Rouladen, Sauerbraten or Buletten. For those who find sauerkraut a little too strong or sour, Rotkohl is a sweeter, less pungent alternative. Basically a sweet-and-sour braised red cabbage, Rotkohl […]
June 27 in German History
June 27, 1786 Death of Joseph Green, Immanuel Kant‘s closest friend over many years. The two of them dined together very frequently and had long conversations. Some of the vocabulary of mercantilism used by Kant in his books originates from Green. Kant was in the habit of discussing new ideas with Green before other academics […]
How Germans Celebrate Easter: Regional Traditions & Customs
Germany is home to some of Europe’s most unique and diverse Easter traditions. While Easter egg hunts and the Easter Bunny (Osterhase) are well known, different regions in Germany have their own local customs, foods, and celebrations that make Easter even more special. From Bavaria’s decorated Easter fountains to Northern Germany’s massive Easter bonfires, each […]
Donauwelle Kuchen
Donauwelle Kuchen (Danube Wave Cake) is an incredible dessert with layers of vanilla and chocolate cake, cherries, German buttercream, and ganache. After the cake is baked and cooled off a chocolate glaze is applied to the top of the cake and waves are made using a fork. When the cake is cut in squares it […]
September 21 in German History
September 21, 1522 The first publication of Martin Luther‘s translation of the New Testament. September 21, 1792 Birth of Johann Peter Eckermann in Winsen, Germany. Eckermann was Goethe‘s secretary in Weimar. He published Goethe’s posthumous works and participated in the publication of the first complete edition of his works. He wrote Gespräche mit Goethe in […]
German Christmas Recipes
It is that time of the year again! The nature is deep in winter, and December days are passing by inevitably, getting us nearer to Christmas. This holiday is the best time for cooking something special, something delicious and absolutely festive. The traditional German holiday meal consists of duck, goose, rabbit or a roast, accompanied […]
Dortmund
Dortmund is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is in the middle part of the state and is considered to be the administrative, commercial and cultural center of the eastern Ruhr area. Its population of 581,612 (2015) makes it the 8th largest city in Germany. Moreover, Dortmund is the largest city by area […]
October 30 in German History
October 30, 1466 Death of Johann Fust, a financial backer of Johannes Gutenberg. October 30, 1882 Birth of Günther von Kluge in Posen, Germany (now Poland). Kluge was a WWII German general who fought in Russia from 1941-1943 and replaced von Rundstedt on the Western Front in 1944. Suspected of being involved in the assassination […]
Krampus in Germany: Origins, Folklore, and Traditions
If you spend enough time studying German holiday traditions, you eventually stumble upon a figure who seems almost too strange to belong beside gingerbread and candlelit wreaths. He is horned, hairy, wild, and unmistakably menacing. He rattles chains, stomps through snowy streets, and carries a bundle of birch rods meant to discipline the naughty. His […]
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Common Genealogical Terms for German Ancestry Research
Genealogy, the study of family history and lineage, is a fascinating journey into the past. For those exploring German ancestry, understanding specific genealogical terms can greatly enhance the … [Read More...]
Heinrich Hertz – German Scientist and Physicist
Heinrich Hertz (born on February 22, 1857 in Hamburg – died on January 1, 1894 in Bonn) was a German scientist and physicist who became the first scientist to prove that electromagnetic waves did … [Read More...]
Bundesrat of Germany
The second legislative chamber, the Bundesrat, is the federal body in which the sixteen Land governments are directly represented. It exemplifies Germany's federalist system of government. Members of … [Read More...]
Butterkuchen – German Butter Cake
The butter cake recipe, aka Butterkuchen or Zuckerkuchen, is a traditional German cake often served for afternoon coffee. Popular when covered with butter, almonds, and sugar. It can also be topped … [Read More...]
Wieskirche – The Pilgrimage Church
The Wieskirche, or Wies Church, is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in southern Germany. It is situated between Steingaden and Wildsteig on the Romantic Road - or, to be more … [Read More...]
Free State of Bavaria – Travel Destination
As a traditional site for family vacations, Bavaria is the most popular holiday center in the Federal Republic of Germany. Bavaria is Germany's largest and oldest state. Bavaria is the most fancied … [Read More...]
The Age of Enlightened Absolutism, 1648-1789
Although the Holy Roman Empire no longer had a significant role in European politics after the Thirty Years' War, it remained important in Germany, providing a framework for the many German states' … [Read More...]
German Potato Salad
Ingredients: 4 slices bacon 1 small onion, chopped 1/4 cup vinegar 2 tbsp. water 3 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt 3 cups cooked potatoes, chopped ground black pepper parsley Preparation: Place the … [Read More...]
Schokoladenhasen – German Chocolate Easter Bunnies Recipe
No German Easter is complete without Schokoladenhasen, the classic chocolate Easter bunnies. These sweet treats date back to the 19th century and have become a staple of Easter baskets across Germany. … [Read More...]
Top 100 German Verbs
This verb list comes from Randall Jones & Erwin Tschirner’s A Frequency Dictionary of German. Core Vocabulary for Learners, which lists the 4034 most commonly used words in German. Here are the … [Read More...]