Germany Guide
So you’re finally in Germany and itching to get your teeth into your first authentic German Wurst. With over 1500 varieties, you’ll have plenty of choices. All have one thing in common: German law mandates that sausages can only be made of meat and spices-if it has cereal filling, it’s not Wurst.
Bockwurst: This tasty sausage is common roasted or grilled at street stands, and is usually served dripping with ketchup and mustard in a soft Brotchen. Although Bock means billy-goat, this Wurst is made of finely ground veal with parsley and chives. Complement your Bockwurst with some Bock beer.
Thiiringer Bratwurst: Similar to the Bockwurst both in content and presentation, the Bratwurst has a little pork too, plus ginger and nutmeg.
Frankfurter: Unlike the American variety (whose origin is believed to be the Wienerwurst), the German Frankfurter can only have this name if made in Frankfurt. It’s made of lean pork ground into a paste and then cold smoked, which gives it that orange-yellow coloring.
Knockwurst: Shorter and plumper, this sausage is served with sauerkraut. It’s made of lean pork and beef, and a healthy dose of garlic. Pucker up!
Weiftwurst: Cream and eggs give this “white sausage” its pale coloring. Weifiwurst goes with rye bread and mustard 1945. Schedule an appointment with the curator. (Archives a (03643) 43 01 54; library (03643) 43 01 60. Outdoor camp area open daily until sundown.) Sadly, the suffering at Buchenwald did not end with liberation Soviet authorities used the site as an internment camp. Special Camp. No. 2, where more than 28,000 Germans mostly Nazi war criminals and opponents of the communist regime were held until 1950; an exhibit detailing this period opened in 1997.
The best way to reach the camp is by bus #6 from Weimar’s train station or Goethepl. Check the schedule carefully; some #6 buses go to Ettersburg rather than Gedenkstatte Buchenwald. (20min.; M-Sa every hr. Su every 2hr.) Buses back to Weimar stop at the KZ-Lager parking lot and at the road by the Glockenturm (bell tower). There is an info center near the bus stop at Buchenwald, which offers a walking tour (3) and shows an excellent video with English subtitles every hour. (Open May-Sept. Su and Tu-Sa 9am-6pm; Oct.-Apr. 9am-4:30pm.)
Birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, Eisenach (pop.44,000) is also home to one of Germany’s most treasured national symbols, GlWartburg castle. In 1521, the castle protected Martin Luther (disguised as a bearded noble named Junker Jorg) after his excommunication. Much of the castle’s interior is not authentically medieval, but the Wartburg is still enchanting and the view from its south tower is spectacular. (Open Mar.-Oct. daily 8:30am-5pm; Nov.-Feb. 9am-3:30pm. Required German tour 6, students and children 3.) According to local tradition, the actual location of Bach’s birth in 1685 was the Bachhaus, Frauenplan 21. Every 40min. a guide gives a presentation on Bach’s life in German and English, complete with musical interludes. (Open Apr.-Sept. M noon-5:45pm, Tu-Su 9am-5:45pm; Oct.-Mar. M l-4:45pm, Tu-Su 9am-4:45pm. 2.50, students 2.) Bach was baptized at the 800-year-old Georgenkirche, just off the Markt, where members of his family were organists for 132 years. (Open M-Sa 10am-12:30pm and 2-5pm, Su after services.) Just up the street is Lutherhaus, Lutherpl. 8, Martin’s home in his school days. (Open Apr.-Oct. daily 9am-5pm; Nov.-Mar. 10am-5pm. 2.50.)
Trains run frequently to Weimar (lhr. 2 per hr. 11). The tourist office, Markt 2, sells maps (2), offers daily city tours (2pm, 3), and books rooms for free. From the train station, follow Bahnhofstr. through the tunnel and angle left until you turn right onto the pedestrian Karlstr. (s 194 33. Open M 10am-6pm, Tu-F 9am-6pm, Sa-Su 10am-2pm.) To reach the recently renovated Jugendherberge Arthur Becker (HI) , Mariental 24, take Bahnhofstr. from the station to
Wartburger Allee, which runs into Mariental. (74 32 59. Breakfast included. Reception daily 8am-llpm. Dorms 18, under-27 15.) For groceries, head to Edeka supermarket on Johannispl. (Open M-F 8am-6:30pm, Sa 8am-12:30pm.) Near the train station, Cafe Moritz 0, Bahnhofstr. 7, serves Thiiringian specialities (3-9) and sinful ice cream delicacies. (Open May-Oct. M-F 8am-9pm, Sa-Su 10am-9pm; Nov.-Apr. M-F 8am-7pm, Sa-Su 10am-7pm.) Postal Code: 99817.
