German Culture

All about Germany

Gun Laws in Germany

The German system of gun control is among the most stringent in Europe. It restricts the acquisition, possession, and carrying of firearms to those with a creditable need for a weapon. It bans fully automatic weapons and severely restricts the acquisition of other types of weapons. Compulsory liability insurance is required for anyone who is … [Read more...]

Small Talk in Germany

Germans are said to be rather serious, dour, and even humorless. While this is not entirely true, German people do indeed need some time to warm up and keep a polite distance when dealing with strangers. While it might be customary in some countries to address people by their first name, Germans like to stick to formalities. At the same time, their … [Read more...]

The Thousand-year Rose of Hildesheim

The Thousand-year Rose (Tausendjähriger Rosenstock) is also known as the Rose of Hildesheim. It grows on a wall of the Hildesheim Cathedral, a Catholic cathedral in Hildesheim, Germany, that is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. The cathedral and the adjacent St. Michael's Church have been on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since … [Read more...]

15 Curious Facts about Germany

Every country and culture is based on different habits and behavior. Here are some fun facts about Germany and Germans that you definitely need to know. 1. Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. Yes, the country has a staggering population size of 83,517,000 people, and counting! And, even though Germany is a rather … [Read more...]

Schäufele – Pork Shoulder Baden Style

Schäufele (also "Schäuferle", "Schüfeli", "Schäuferla" or "Schäufelchen") is a traditional dish from the south of Germany. It is made from the pig's shoulder meat, which gives the dish its name, "Schäufele". The meat is cured and smoked before it is simmered in a broth of water, red wine, onions, bay laurel, cloves and other … [Read more...]

Katharina von Bora

Katharina von Bora, after her wedding Katharina Luther, also referred to as "die Lutherin", was the wife of Martin Luther, German reformer and a seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation. Beyond what is found in the writings of Luther and some of his contemporaries, little is known about her. Born into a noble but poor family on 29 January … [Read more...]

Common German Grammar Mistakes to Avoid

There is nothing wrong with making mistakes - the point is to learn from them when you make them so you can avoid making them again and come yet one step closer to proficiency. Two of the common errors that beginners typically make are: first, those garbled sentences that you can avoid only by learning whole new structures and making sure you … [Read more...]

Feuerzangenbowle – Glühwein with a Twist!

Feuerzangenbowle is a traditional German alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine. It is often part of a Christmas or New Year's Eve tradition. The name translates literally to "fire-tongs punch". Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) is quite popular during the winter months in Germany. But if you are … [Read more...]

Wooden Toys from the Ore Mountains

Ore Mountain folk art (Erzgebirgische Volkskunst) is a well-known form of highly artistic wood carving from East Germany. Typical creations include Christmas decorations and products such as wooden miners' figures (Bergmannsfigur), Christmas angels (Weihnachtsengel), Reifendrehen figures of animals made by wood turning, smoking figures … [Read more...]

Schneeball – Sweet Pastry from Rothenburg ob der Tauber

A Schneeball (snowball), is a pastry made from shortcrust pastry and is especially popular in the area of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Its name derives from its round, ball-like shape, with a diameter of about eight to ten centimeters, and its traditional decoration with white confectioner's sugar. It is also called a Storchennest (stork's nest). This … [Read more...]