Name: Erfurt Heritage Days 2026
Start: 2026-09-08T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-13T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Verschiedene Baudenkmäler, archäologische Stätten und Gartendenkmäler in Erfurt

Heritage Days

About Heritage Days

Since 1993, the Erfurt Heritage Days have opened historical buildings, archaeological sites, gardens, and movable monuments in the state capital to the public for five to six days every September. Guided tours, lectures, readings, exhibitions, and concerts make heritage protection an experience – as a prelude to the nationwide Heritage Day. The 33rd edition in 2026 (September 8–13) is themed «Networks – Connecting Places».

Dates 08 Sep — 13 Sep 2026

Venue Erfurt (16051)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Heritage Days — edition 2026

The 33rd Erfurt Heritage Days 2026 will take place from September 8 to 13 under the theme «Networks – Connecting Places». For six days, historical buildings, archaeological sites, gardens, and movable monuments in the state capital will be opened to the public for guided tours, lectures, concerts, readings, and exhibitions. Registration for contributions by May 31, 2026.

The 2026 theme emphasizes networking as a design principle: families, associations, churches, professional organizations – they all leave material traces that shape our city as monuments. Bridges, paths, market squares, railway and utility facilities will be in focus.

Highlights Heritage Days 2026

33rd edition; six festival days; theme «Networks – Connecting Places»; prelude to Heritage Day on September 13.

Programme Heritage Days 2026

Framework

September 8–13, 2026 – six festival days throughout the city
Theme: «Networks – Connecting Places»
Prelude to the nationwide Heritage Day on September 13, 2026

Formats

Guided tours through historical buildings
Visits to normally closed monuments
Lectures and readings on heritage protection and history
Exhibitions in historical rooms
Concerts in churches and halls

Participation

Contributions can be submitted until May 31, 2026. Contact: Lower Heritage Protection Authority Erfurt, press release 153616 and 154155 on erfurt.de.

Prices Heritage Days 2026

Most events are free.

Practical information

Practical information — Heritage Days

Getting There

Erfurt Hauptbahnhof is an ICE hub. From the station, you can reach the old town on foot or by tram.

Admission

Most events are free. Registration for contributions possible until May 31, 2026.

33 Years of Heritage Protection in Erfurt

The Erfurt Heritage Days were launched in 1993 and have taken place every year for five to six days before the nationwide Heritage Day. During this time, architectural monuments, archaeological sites, gardens, and movable monuments open their doors – many of which are otherwise only accessible to a limited extent or not at all.

«Networks – Connecting Places» – The 2026 Theme

The 2026 theme emphasizes the connections between people, places, and buildings: «We are all part of complex networks – familial, private, professional, or voluntary.» Networks require infrastructure – and many of these structures are monuments made of stone, concrete, wood, or metal. The theme opens up a wide spectrum of monument types: bridges, railway facilities, monastery complexes, pilgrimage routes, market structures.

Formats

Over six festival days, numerous historical sites will be opened, offering special insights into architectural monuments, archaeological monuments, gardens and landscape monuments, movable monuments, or traditional craft techniques. Guided tours, visits, lectures, readings, exhibitions, and concerts are welcome.

Erfurt – State Capital of Thuringia

Erfurt is an independent city and belongs to the district of Erfurt (independent) in Thuringia. With its Cathedral, St. Severus Church, Augustinian Monastery, Krämerbrücke bridge, Erfurt Synagogue (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and numerous burgher houses, the city boasts one of the densest collections of monuments in Central Germany – an ideal festival format.