Erfurt Cathedral twin spires rise over snow-covered city from Petersberg Citadel, Germany
The iconic twin green spires of Erfurt Cathedral (Dom St. Marien) dominate the winter skyline as viewed from the snow-covered grounds of Petersberg Citadel on January 25, 2019 in Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany.
Read more about this photo
A Winter Crown Over Ancient Stones
From the elevated ramparts of Petersberg Citadel, one of Europe's largest and best-preserved urban fortresses, the medieval skyline of Erfurt unfolds like a storybook illustration. The twin copper-green spires of Dom St. Marien pierce the overcast January sky, standing sentinel over a city blanketed in pristine snow.
Layers of History in White
The foreground reveals the citadel's formidable stone bastions, their angular geometry softened by a thick layer of winter snow. Bare deciduous trees stand as skeletal silhouettes against the pale sky, while the distant city sprawls outward—a tapestry of red-tiled roofs, church towers, and half-timbered facades that whisper of centuries past. The Gera River valley cradles this Thuringian gem, its curves barely visible beneath the winter covering.
Erfurt's Enduring Beauty
This panoramic vista captures Erfurt at its most serene—when tourist crowds have dispersed and the city reclaims its contemplative character. The cathedral, consecrated in 1154, has witnessed countless winters, yet each snowfall transforms the view anew. From this vantage point, visitors trace the same horizon that Martin Luther once surveyed during his Augustinian monastery years, connecting present wonder with historical reverence.
Spot a mistake or location error? Let us know!
Photos from the day
