After you receive your Schengen Visa and German Visa you will be able to travel straight away. Here is a quick guide to help you see some fantastic sights.

Cathedrals, abbeys, monasteries and castles: throughout history, Germany has seen exceptional buildings flourish on its territory. Monuments which amply deserve to be listed on the World Heritage List today.

Religious buildings

Aachen Cathedral

The first German site to be chosen by Unesco in 1978 was the cathedral of Aachen, alias Aachen. After making the city the capital of the Frankish Empire in the 8th century, Charlemagne had the palatine chapel built there, which now constitutes the cathedral choir. In six centuries, thirty German kings were crowned there. One of the most important ecclesiastical treasures of the north of Europe is there, with in particular the Cross of Lothaire in gold and precious stones, a bust of Charlemagne in gold and silver, and the “sarcophagus of Proserpine”, in white marble.

Cologne Cathedral

Further east, another cathedral appears on the UNESCO list: that of Cologne, a masterpiece of Gothic art whose construction was spread out from 1248 to 1880. With its two towers erected towards the sky, its dimensions impress. At the time of its completion, it was considered the tallest building in the world.

The oldest cathedral in Speyer, south of Frankfurt, is one of the major monuments of the Holy Roman Empire. Built in the 11th century, it was the burial place of the German emperors for almost 300 years. Today it is the largest Romanesque church still visible in the world.

Not far from Speyer, two religious buildings are also inscribed on the world heritage list. To the north, the Benedictine Abbey of Lorsch, founded in 764, has one of the most important libraries of the Middle Ages. The Königshalle, a Carolingian door, is very well preserved.

Maulbronn Abbey

To the south, the Cistercian abbey of Maulbronn, founded in 1147, is the most complete and best preserved medieval monastic complex that can be found north of the Alps. With its surrounding wall with towers and battlements, its basilica with three naves and its cloister with openwork tympanum windows, it is a fine example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. By visiting the places where the monks once lived, you can perfectly imagine how their life could have been at the time.

Civil buildings: castles, fortresses, etc.

The civil buildings are also well represented on the World Heritage List, including castles that can be visited and which often serve as backdrop for cultural events.

From May to August, music lovers meet to attend the Augustusburg Castle Concerts in Brühl. A beautiful way to discover this masterpiece of German rococo (18th century), set in large gardens, which was the former residence of the princes-archbishops of Cologne.

Würzburg Residence

In June, the Würzburg residence hosts the oldest Mozart festival in Germany. Also listed by UNESCO, this palace is a jewel of German Baroque architecture. Surrounded by magnificent gardens, it was built and decorated in the 18th century by an international team of architects and painters, including the Venetian Tiepolo, who created the huge painted ceiling.

Another great music festival, Musiksommer, takes place in a remarkable site: the fortress of Wartburg, near Eisenach, which looks like an ideal castle, perched on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by forests.

Bremen Town Hall

Finally, to finish this quick tour of the monuments listed as World Heritage, direction Bremen, whose town hall is a perfect example of the Renaissance style of the Weser. Dominating the market square, the imposing Roland statue (1404) symbolizes the pride of the Hanseatic city. It is customary to touch your knee before going for a walk in the alleys of the old town.

TSF Singapore can help you complete the Schengen Visa and Germany Visa application online. Go to the application page to apply online.