German Culture

All about Germany

March 6 in German History

March 6, 1787 Birth of Joseph von Fraunhofer in Straubing, Germany. The physicist, Fraunhofer, was the first to observe the dark lines in the spectrum of the sun, which became known as Fraunhofer lines. In his further work he discovered and charted similar spectral lines in the elements. His work led to the development of the technique of … [Read more...]

March 5 in German History

March 5, 1198 The Teutonic Knights are established as a military order in a ceremony at Acre in Palestine. The order had been established originally in 1191 with the purpose of providing medical and spiritual attention to the sick and wounded Crusaders from Germany. The need for additional combatants, however, led to the decision to arm the lay … [Read more...]

Early History of Germany

The Germanic tribes, which probably originated from a mixture of peoples along the Baltic Sea coast, inhabited the northern part of the European continent by about 500 B.C. By 100 B.C., they had advanced into the central and southern areas of present-day Germany. At that time, there were three major tribal groups: the eastern Germanic peoples lived … [Read more...]

Wartburg Castle – the Place of Luther’s Inspiration

Wartburg Castle, located near town of Eisenach, is one of the oldest castles in Germany. It was founded by the German Duke Ludwig de Springer in 1067 AD. There is an amazing legend about the castle's name which was told to be given after the Duke saw the fascinating mountains and decided to build a castle right on that place. The Eisenach lands … [Read more...]

Neuschwanstein Castle – the Legendary King’s Escape

The Neuschwanstein castle was the most favorite place of the king Ludwig II, king of Bavaria conquered by Prussia after the war between alliance of Bavaria and Austria and Prussia. Ludwig strove to make a reality of his happy childhood in his father’s Hohenschwangau castle and create an ideal world of the Medieval Knights life. Although all his … [Read more...]

Friedrich von Schiller – the German Genius of Beauty and Freedom

Friedrich Schiller (November 10, 1759 - May 9, 1805), later ennobled to Friedrich von Schiller by the Duke of Wurttemberg, is one of the most famous German philosophers, playwrights and poets. Although he was born and grew up in Wurttemberg, the peak of his power happened while he was living in Weimar. The destiny joined two geniuses of the German … [Read more...]

Lichtenstein – a Fairy-Tale Fortress

Lichtenstein Castle (Schloss Lichtenstein) is a Gothic Revival castle built in the 1840s. It is situated on a cliff located near Honau on the Swabian Alb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. A small fortress Lichtenstein standing on the rock which supports it and surrounding by ditches and numerous underground paths – the only ways for the fortress’ … [Read more...]

Look Here – We’re in Germany! Christmas Vacation in Germany

Christmas is a family holiday which people use to spend at home waiting for Santa Claus near the friendly crackling fireplace, the smartly decorated tree, and a festive table. You have already imagined this paradise, haven't you? However, a simple test will help you verify your real intentions as for Christmas: 1. Does your soul get restless every … [Read more...]

Martin Luther

On the eve of All Saints' Day in 1517, Martin Luther, a professor of theology at Wittenberg University in Saxony, posted ninety-five theses on a church door. Luther's primary concern was the sale of indulgences--papal grants of reduced punishment in the afterlife, including releases from purgatory. First written in Latin, the theses were soon … [Read more...]