Erfurt's Krämerbrückenfest opens with first sun sails in 30°C heat
Erfurt's largest old-town festival returns this weekend with temperatures reaching 30°C. The city sets up sun sails for the first time and launches a drinking-fountain map as visitors flock to free concerts and a medieval market.
What's on the programme
The festival opens Friday evening with a play by the Erfurt youth theatre "Die Schotte" about the trickster Till Eulenspiegel on Benediktsplatz. Across the weekend, visitors can enjoy free live music of various genres on multiple stages and explore a medieval market. The finale comes on Sunday evening with a fireworks display after a concert by the electro-Germanpop band Mia on Domplatz.
- Erfurt youth theatre 'Die Schotte' opens festival with play about Till Eulenspiegel
- Fireworks after electro-pop band Mia concert on Domplatz
Beating the heat
The German Weather Service expects temperatures of 30°C and above for Erfurt this weekend. In response, the city is setting up sun sails for the first time at three locations: Brühler Garten, Rathausparkplatz, and the medieval market area behind Krämerbrücke. A map on the festival website will guide visitors to drinking fountains in the city centre. Although bringing your own drinks to the event grounds is not allowed, the city administration says it will take a lenient approach and will not stop anyone carrying a bottle of water.
Getting around
The city expects heavy crowds after last year's count of 150,000 visitors, and some roads will be closed or restricted. Visitors are urged to use trams and buses and to park at Park & Ride lots on the city outskirts. Erfurt's transport authority is deploying larger vehicles and extended running times. Tram line 6 will run only between Rieth and Domplatz Süd from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, and bus line 90 will stop at a replacement stop outside the regional court.
The bridge
The festival takes its name from the Krämerbrücke, a landmark known as the longest bridge in Europe continuously built on and inhabited with houses. Spanning the river Gera at about 120 metres, the bridge is one of Erfurt's most popular tourist attractions. Its historical setting provides the backdrop for the medieval market.
