In the heart of Europe lies Germany, a country renowned for its rich history, robust economy, and … (More)
German Culture
Germany, a country in the heart of Europe, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, shaped by centuries of history, diverse influences, and continuous innovation. This website covers almost all aspects of German culture, offering a glimpse into what makes it both unique and universally appealing.
German culture has been shaped by major historical events, including the Holy Roman Empire, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, industrialization, two World Wars, and reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Each era left an indelible mark on German society, influencing its traditions, values, and global perception.
German, Germany’s official language, is known for its precision and depth. The country has a rich literary tradition, with figures like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, and more contemporary authors like Günter Grass and Herta Müller. The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales have captivated children worldwide, while their work in linguistics has had a lasting impact on the study of Germanic languages.
Germany’s contribution to the arts is monumental. In classical music, composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Richard Wagner have left a legacy that defines the genre. In visual arts, the German Renaissance, and later movements like Expressionism and Bauhaus, have influenced art globally.
From the Romanesque and Gothic churches to modernist Bauhaus buildings, German architecture displays a range of styles. The Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria is a prime example of 19th-century Romanticism, while the Berlin skyline showcases cutting-edge contemporary architecture.
German culture is rich in traditions and customs, many of which are celebrated through various festivals and events.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest in Munich is world-famous, drawing visitors from across the globe to celebrate Bavarian culture, beer, and food in a festive atmosphere. Traditional clothing like Lederhosen and Dirndl are often worn, showcasing regional folk costumes.
Christmas Markets
Germany’s Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) are magical, with their origins dating back to the Middle Ages. These markets, found in nearly every town, are filled with festive decorations, traditional crafts, and culinary delights like Glühwein and Lebkuchen.
The Carnival season, particularly strong in the Rhineland region, features parades, costumes, and balls. It’s a time when traditional roles are reversed, and revelers enjoy a sense of freedom and humor.
Cuisine
German cuisine is as diverse as its regions, known for its hearty and robust flavors. Dishes like Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, and Pretzels are globally recognized. Each region has its specialties, like the seafood dishes of the North, the apple wine of Hessen, or the Spätzle of the South.
Germany is famous for its beer, with a brewing tradition rooted in the Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law) of 1516. The country boasts a variety of beer styles, including Pilsner, Weizenbier, and Kölsch. Additionally, Germany is renowned for its Riesling wines, produced in picturesque vineyards along rivers like the Rhine and Mosel.
This comprehensive website of German culture highlights its depth and diversity, offering a window into a nation that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or a culinary explorer, Germany’s rich cultural tapestry has something to intrigue and inspire everyone.
Featured Story
Featured Stories
Discover Timeless Wonders: The Imperial City Museum in Rothenburg
Nestled within the fairy-tale walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the Imperial City Museum (Reichsstadtmuseum) stands as a sentinel to history, culture, and art. A testament to the town’s medieval glory, the museum invites visitors to step back in time and explore the splendors of an era long gone yet preserved within its storied halls. […]
May 29 in German History
May 29 Feast Day of St. Maximin von Trier (? – ca. 349) (Latin name Maximinus) The Roman Maximin came to Trier (then the capital of the Western Roman Empire, now in Germany) to study with St. Agritius (then the Bishop of Trier) and was ordained a priest by him. Maximin would become the bishop […]
German Chicken Schnitzel
While veal is the traditional choice for authentic German Wiener Schnitzel, chicken or pork is an easy and delicious substitution. And this pan-seared schnitzel is a lightened up version of the favorite fried cutlets, yet is just as tender and yummy as its counterpart. Ingredients: 4 skinless, boneless, thinly sliced chicken breasts 1/4 teaspoon kosher […]
Sauerkraut Recipes
Sauerkraut is probably the most well known German food. Sauerkraut is finely sliced green cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria. The fermentation process (also known as pickling) gives the cabbage a distinct sour flavor, which is where it gets the name Sauerkraut (sour cabbage). In Germany, sauerkraut is often flavored with juniper […]
Schinken-Sauerkrautrollen – Sauerkraut and Ham Rolls over Cheesy Potatoes
Ingredients: 700 g potatoes 400 g sauerkraut 8 ham slices 2 cups grated cheese 1 1/2 cup milk 4 tbsp flour 2 tbsp butter nutmeg, pepper, salt Directions: 1. Peel, wash and cut potatoes in 4. Boil in salted water until tender. 2. Drain the sauerkraut. 3. Melt a tiny bit of butter on a […]
The Weimar Republic, 1918-33
The Weimar Republic, proclaimed on November 9, 1918, was born in the throes of military defeat and social revolution. In January 1919, a National Assembly was elected to draft a constitution. The government, composed of members from the assembly, came to be called the Weimar coalition and included the SPD; the German Democratic Party (Deutsche […]
Rearmament and the European Defense Community
The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 convinced Western leaders of the growing threat of international communism. The United States began to encourage the Europeans–the FRG in particular–to contribute to their own defense. For Germany, five years after having lost the most devastating of all wars, this meant forming an army, a step unthinkable […]
October 10 in German History
October 10, 1713 Birth of Johann Krebs in Buttelstedt, Germany. He was a composer of organ music. He was a pupil of Johann Sebastian Bach. October 10, 1791 Death of Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart in Stuttgart, Germany. Schubart was a poet of the Sturm und Drang period (most noteworthy representatives of this period are Goethe […]
August 21 in German History
August 21, 1849 On August 21, 1849, Pauline Mallinckrodt founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Christian Charity. Pauline Mallinckrodt was born in Minden, Germany on June 3, 1817. She directed the institution for the blind in Paderborn, Germany. She founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Christian Charity on August 21, 1849. That order […]
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Happy Birthday, Beetle!
In the middle of the 1930s Adolf Hitler - leader of the Nazi Germany - ordered Ferdinand Porsche to create a new "car for the people". Thus the history of Volkswagen started. Porsche began to … [Read More...]
Total Mobilization, Resistance, and the Holocaust in Germany
Once it became clear that the war would not be a short one, Germany's industry was reorganized for a total mobilization. Between February 1942 and July 1944, armaments production increased threefold … [Read More...]
15 false friends in German for English Learners
German and English belong to the group of West Germanic languages and have many words with common language roots. Sometimes you can guess the meaning of the German word because it sounds almost like … [Read More...]
The Cost of Living in Germany for Foreign Students
The cost of living in Germany generally differs according to the city you are in, while Leipzig can be bizarrely cheap and affordable, Munich is nothing like that. Among the bigger metropolitan cities … [Read More...]
December 23 in German History
December 23, 1597 Birth of Martin Opitz in Bunzlau, Silesia (now Poland). The poet and theoretician, Opitz was a member of an important literary society of his times, the "Fruchtbringende … [Read More...]
August 8 in German History
August 8, 1732 Birth of Johann Christoph Adelung in Anklam, Germany. Adelung was the most significant German-language scholar before the Grimms. He was the librarian to the Elector of … [Read More...]
Myths about Germans
Germans: Myths and reality Germans have an opinion, that life is divided in two parts – public (work, politics, business) and private (family, friends, hobbies, rest). These two spheres should be … [Read More...]
German Idioms-2
30 German Phrases to Maintain the Conversation
People are often a little afraid of getting into awkward situations where they have no clue how to express what they want to say. So, by learning how to express things such as your language level or … [Read More...]
August 28 in German History
August 28, 1749 Birth of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in Frankfurt, Germany. Goethe was the greatest of all German writers. Among his works are The Sorrows of Young Werther, Faust, Götz von … [Read More...]