Heinrich der Vogeler, the first German king and Otto I are not the only famous names that go together with Saxony-Anhalt. This federal state was also home to big reformer Martin Luther and composer Georg Friedrich Händel. Go on an interesting exploratory expedition and follow their tracks.

Saxony-Anhalt’s scenery is manifold: In the west region Harz is luring lovers of nature and winter sports with its legendary mountain Brocken. In the south, in the region of Saale-Unstrut lies the farthest north situated of all German wine-growing areas. In the north is situated the rural Altmark. In the middle, scenery is prevailed by heath in the region around Magdeburg and offers perfect leisure possibilities with river Elbe. In the southeast visitors are fascinated by Luther’s city of Wittenberg.

Martin Luther is probably the worldwide most famous citizen of Saxony-Anhalt. Luther was born in Eisleben, grew up in Mansfeld and worked in Wittenberg. The theses which he nailed onto the door of castle church Wittenberg changed the world. Today, the UNESCO world cultural heritage is a crowd-puller and invites to find out something about the German history of the 16th century.

Worth visiting for music lovers in Halle is Händel’s house. The „Luther cities“ of Eisleben and Wittenberg offer guided special town tours which take you back in time into the times of the Reformation. Special tours through the state, like for example the Street of Romanticism lead you on around 1000 kilometres past 80 castles, fortresses, monasteries, churches, cathedrals and miraculous Old Towns that are remains of the Middle Ages.

Fans of astronomy should take the archaeological route „Sky ways“ to see numerous findings of long past times. As late as in 1999 the "sky disk of Nebra" was discovered. A spectacular discovery though: this 3600 years old goldenly decorated bronze disk is the first known representation of the sky. On this route you can visit the stone chamber grave of the dolmen goddess which is dated back to 5000 years. The 7000 years old solar observatory Goseck as well as that one near Nebra and the museum of prehistory in Halle are all worth visiting.

Saxony-Anhalt offers many activities. Whether by bike, boat, on feet through parks or sportily actively - everybody can find the right thing to do. In the former residency seat of Dessau you can find modern art in midst of a fantastically formed green area. Last but not least, Quedlinburg has over 1,300 half-timbered houses and is one of the biggest surface monuments in Germany.

Saxony-Anhalt day in 2014

"Coloured town - coloured country": In Werningerode in the Harz region „Saxony-Anhalt days“ will take place between 18th and 20th of July, 2014. During these days you can experience the state’s history live. An outstanding programme as well as a parade will make the festival unforgettable.

Facts on Saxony-Anhalt:

Capital: Magdeburg

Biggest town: Halls (Saale)

Inhabitants: app. 2,3 million

Surface area: 20,400 sq. km

More information (in German): http://www.sachsen-anhalt-tourismus.de/

Photo: Magdeburg, Oleg Senkov/Shutterstock