For many visitors, one of the first cultural surprises in Germany arrives not at a famous castle or … (More)
Featured Stories
Hohenzollern Castle – A Fairy-Tale Hilltop Castle
Swabian counts and princes, the kings of Prussia and even the German emperors have their roots here at Hohenzollern Castle in the heart of Baden-Württemberg between Lake Constance, the Black Forest and Stuttgart. The proud fortress offers majestic panoramic views stretching over more than 100 km which already prompted Emperor William II to proclaim: “The […]
The Day of Euro – the European Currency
January 1, 1999, the New Year’s day, coincided with the day when eleven European nations officially launched the euro as their shared currency. The name of the new European currency was decided upon at the summit of the European Ministers of Finance, December 15 and 16, 1995 in Madrid. Information about the euro had been […]
Sex Online: Germans Lead
Germans are leaders among the European nations in surfing erotic websites Who would ever think… One-third of all German Internet users click regularly on sex and erotic pages. According to the investigation of Eschborn Research Institute NetValue, the exact number of cybersex fans in Germany is 33.4% which makes the nation a European leader. Only […]
Eggs in Frankfurter Green Sauce
Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 5 hard-boiled eggs 1/2 cup grapeseed oil 5 oz plain yogurt 5 oz sour cream 2 tablespoons finely chopped herbs (e.g. watercress, chives, sorrel, parsley, chervil etc) 1 garlic clove juice of half a lemon 1 tablespoon German prepared mustard salt and pepper to taste 1 pinch sugar 1 pickled German gherkin 1 […]
The Holy Roman Empire: An Epoch of European History
The Holy Roman Empire, often deemed a paradoxical entity, was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Western, Central and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. Despite the anachronistic association with Rome, the Empire was a distinctly European polity that emerged in […]
How to Date a German: Cross-Cultural Romance Tips
Dating someone from another culture can be both exciting and confusing, especially when that culture is as distinctive as Germany’s. If you’ve ever found yourself puzzled by a German’s reserved flirting style, baffled by their need for punctuality, or wondering whether you’re actually in a relationship or just hanging out, you’re not alone. German dating […]
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 100 most common German verbs along with their English translations. You just have to learn these verbs to start studying German because they […]
The Holy Roman Empire in the Late Middle Ages
By the 14th and 15th centuries, the Holy Roman Empire was no longer the centralized dream of Charlemagne. Instead, it had evolved into a sprawling collection of kingdoms, duchies, bishoprics, free cities, and principalities—each fiercely guarding its independence while still pledging some form of loyalty to the emperor. This period, often dismissed as politically fractured, […]
Useful German Phrases for Travelers – Basics
Traveling to Germany can be an exhilarating experience, but knowing some key German phrases can make your journey even more enjoyable and seamless. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities like Berlin and Munich or quaint villages in the countryside, these phrases will help you communicate effectively and immerse yourself in the local culture. By mastering these […]
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September 17 in German History
September 17, 530 The first pope of Germanic origin was elected. Boniface II was Gothic. (The Goths were an East Germanic people. The Germans of today descend from the West Germanic grouping.) … [Read More...]
Brötchen – How to Make German Bread Rolls
Brötchen are the heart and soul of the German breakfast table. These small, crusty rolls are as essential to German life as coffee or butter. Whether picked up fresh from the local bakery at dawn or … [Read More...]
Planned Economy in GDR
In the GDR, as in the other new "people's republics," the authorities' goal of abolishing private property and every trace of capitalism was to be implemented in several steps. By taking possession of … [Read More...]
October 4 in German History
October 4, 1515 The painter Lucas Cranach the Younger is born in Bamberg, Germany. Lucas Cranach was a German Renaissance painter and portraitist, the son of Lucas Cranach the Elder. He began his … [Read More...]
October 13 in German History
October 13, 1694 Death of Samuel Freiherr von Pufendorf in Berlin (born in Dorfchemnitz, Saxony). Pufendorf encountered Descartes, Grotius and Thomas Hobbes while at Jena. He went on to become one … [Read More...]
Mainau, Germany’s Flower Island in Lake Constance
The Flower Island of Mainau in Lake Constance may only cover 45 hectares of land, but it is home to an extraordinary diversity of trees, flowers and shrubs. Its other attractions include a 13th … [Read More...]
Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)
Few desserts embody Old World charm like Apfelstrudel, or Apple Strudel. With its paper-thin layers of flaky pastry wrapped around a sweet apple filling, Apfelstrudel is one of Germany’s most iconic … [Read More...]
October 25 in German History
October 25, 1760 Death of George II in London (born in Hanover). George II followed his father, George I as Elector of Hanover (Holy Roman Empire) and King of England. George II was born in … [Read More...]
January 21 in German History
January 21, 1521 Martin Luther excommunicated by Roman Catholic Church. January 21, 1794 Birth of Adolf Ludwig Follen (1794-1855) in Giessen, Germany. Follen was a romantic poet. Involved … [Read More...]
Elementary and Primary Education in Germany
The Basic Law of 1949 grants every German citizen the right to self-fulfillment. In theory, citizens are able to choose the type of education they want and are given access to their preferred … [Read More...]