Coburg, Germany
In a very small Coburg (there are only 40 thousand citizens here), the great Richard Strauss and Johann Strauss, Franz Liszt, Johann Goethe, Hector Berlioz, Nicolo Paganini, Martin Luther and other famous personalities once lived. All due to the fact that until 1918 the city was the capital of the independent state of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha – representatives of the same family ruled and still rule many European monarchies, for example, Great Britain. Thanks to its high status, Coburg received a rich architectural heritage. Its beauty attracts numerous tourists, despite the fact that it is well removed from major German cities. See CITYPOPULATIONREVIEW for weather information.
How to get to Coburg
There is an airfield in the vicinity of Coburg, but it is designed to receive a maximum of 6-ton aircraft. Full-fledged international air harbors are located at approximately the same distance in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt am Main.
Via Frankfurt am Main
You can leave Frankfurt am Main Airport for Coburg with a change in Nuremberg – a train goes there directly from the air harbor (1.5 hours on the way). From Nuremberg, another hour to Coburg. The ticket will cost about 60 EUR. A detailed schedule of trains and buses can be found at the office. website of the German railways (in English).
Through Berlin
Planes from Moscow fly to both Berlin airports: Tegel and Schönefeld. The way to Coburg in any case will run through the Central railway station of the capital of Germany. Electric trains go there from Schönefeld, buses from Tegel.
The schedule of the Berlin Hauptbahnhof includes 2 trains going to Coburg without transfers – the Vienna morning and the Munich evening. Both trains spend 2.5 hours on the road, a ticket for them costs 79.90 EUR. At other times, Coburg can be reached with a change in Bamberg. On the road up to 3.5 hours, the ticket price is 81.90 EUR. Interchange trains run almost every hour.
Via Munich
From Munich Airport you can get to Coburg with at least 2 transfers. First you need to get from the airport to Munich Central Station (45 minutes). In the capital of Bavaria, take the train to Nuremberg, and in Nuremberg – to Coburg. In total, the journey will take 3.5 hours and cost 35-65 EUR.
Transport
You can travel around Coburg by buses – there are 9 routes in the city, but tourists do not need them. The historical center here is compact, so all interesting objects are within walking distance. It is also better for motorists to leave the car in street parking or a guarded parking lot (a day in an underground garage will cost 11 EUR). There is no urban bike rental system in the city, but bikes can be rented at some hotels.
Coburg Hotels
There are not very many hotels in Coburg, which is why the prices in hotels are quite high. A night in a four-star hotel will cost 100-120 EUR with breakfast. 3* options cost about the same. But these hotels will be located in the historical center. It is better for budget tourists to consider the suburbs – for 70 EUR you can rent a good double room (though without breakfast) in a guesthouse. Local residents rent apartments for 50-150 EUR. There are no hostels in the city.
What to eat (and drink)
Most citizens and tourists prefer to dine in beer restaurants with canonical German cuisine – they are tasty, satisfying and inexpensive, you can easily meet 15 EUR per person for dinner. The menu includes classics such as baked shank with gravy and mashed potatoes, herring fillets in a mustard marinade, sausages with potato salad.
The main specialty of Coburg is Coburger Bratwurst sausages made from coarse minced meat, fried on coniferous cones. They are sold both in small kiosks with you and in restaurants. Those with a sweet tooth will like gingerbread made from honey dough in chocolate glaze with nuts and candied fruits. The alcoholic chip of the city is a special liquor, which is prepared according to secret recipes in a pharmacy on the central Markplatz square.
Entertainment and attractions of Coburg
The main architectural attraction of Coburg is its well-preserved historical center, which includes the ruins of a medieval city wall with gates and three monumental towers.
At the top of the Festungsberg hill, 170 m above the city, one of the largest and best-preserved fortresses in Germany, the 13th century Feste (Veste Coburg, 1), rises 170 m above the city. This is the patrimony of the Dukes of Coburg, it also houses their collections – paintings (including paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder), weapons, knightly armor, glass.
At the foot of the Festungsberg is the Schlossplatz (Palace) square with a monument to Duke Ernst I. It is surrounded by several buildings and structures, the main of which is the Ehrenburg Palace, founded back in 1543 (Schlossplatz, 1). Now the old building houses a museum and a library. Opposite is the majestic building of the theater (Schlossplatz, 6).
Next to Schlosplatz is the Markt (Markt) square with the town hall and the magistrate. In its center stands a monument to Prince Albert. The sculpture was presented by Queen Victoria – she was married to a prince born in Coburg.
Opposite the town hall (Markt, 10) is the 17th century magistrate – once the ducal office (Markt, 1). Its façade is decorated with lavish decor and multi-coloured painting. Among other ancient buildings that form the square, the first pharmacy in Coburg (15th century) is especially noteworthy – here you can buy the same healing liquor (Markt, 15).
The main Protestant church of Coburg is the Church of St. Moritz (Kirchhof, 3), the oldest in the city (14th century). Martin Luther preached there in 1530.
And the religious center of Catholics is the neo-Gothic church of St. Augustine of the 19th century next to the Schlossplatz square (Festungsstrasse, 3). The ashes of the Coburg dukes and members of their families lie in its crypt.
