German clothing brands have established a reputation for staying on the periphery of the international fashion scene. Recognized labels like Chanel and Fendi may not be German, but they do have famous German designers behind the scenes like Karl Lagerfeld coming up with the latest trends.

When it comes to actual design, there has been much debate about German clothing. It remains an easy style with less emphasis on sporty appearances. Much of its tradition has depended largely on other countries, particular France and Italy since international designers are known to have studied in multiple countries to hone their crafts.

Arguably, the most popular German clothing brand is by far Karl Lagerfeld. A charismatic designer, he worked for Fendi and started his own company afterwards. His clothing is built around the extroverted style with a penchant for fine wool coats. Many top designers like Gianni Versace has sung his praises, calling him a true representative of the German culture.

Another world famous brand that many Americans are familiar with is the Hugo Boss brand formed in 1923, which I personally love! At first, it specialized in work clothes and made the transition to producing suits. Overall, Hugo Boss is geared towards the successful man, with many clothes appealing to younger people as well.

The company also designs glasses, shoes, perfumes, and underwear.

A third German clothing brand is Willy Bogner who specializes in leisure and sportswear. He was one of the first Germany designers to export clothing to the United States and continues to be a sportswear powerhouse around the globe.

One last German clothing label worth mentioning is Strenesse. These collections are women’s wear that revolves around trouser suits and dresses with low necklines and floral prints that would make a BCBG catalog look pale by comparison.

Strenesse is also well known for its purse collection, Italian made shoes, and its sponsorship of the German national football team characterized by three black, red, and gold stars on all of its apparel representing country colors. Look for these uniforms to be prominently featured in the 2008 European Cup games.

Today, Berlin can be considered a German clothing hub with many of the top brands opening up shop, including Hermes, Versace, and Gucci. Mega fashion fairs continue to take place in western Germany, particularly in Düsseldorf with its “Collections Premieren”, and the Internationale Modetage in Berlin.

All in all, German clothing tradition is one to be proud of. ;-)

Without a doubt, Germany with its German cars is one of the leading automobile havens in the world. It is a country that has produced many firsts, like the four stroke engine invented by Nikolaus August Otto in 1876 among others.

Germany doesn’t fall short with car manufacturing either, with close to 10 million cars produced every year with almost 1 million people employed.

From Audi, BMW, and Porsche to Mercedes Benz (also known as Daimler) and Volkswagen — all of these companies have factories scattered throughout the world and even more happy fans to boot.

Audi

The first line of German cars under discussion is Audi. Headquartered in Ingolstadt, it is owned by the Volkswagen Group and has been doing extremely well with European sales.

Audi is widely considered to have the best build quality of all commercial auto manufacturers, with record sales figures coming from half of its 50 major sales markets in 2004.

Following increases in sales in different world regions, Audi has responded by building dealerships in these areas and expanding its brand.

BMW

Another major German cars brand is the BMW (outspoken: Bayerische Motorenwerke), which is located in Munich (München). Known as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” in the United States, the company was founded by Karl Rapp in 1913.

Originally, BMW was intended to be an aircraft manufacturer until it secured a contract to build V12 engines. Today, after countless design changes, it can safely say it belongs in the same class as the other luxury German cars like Mercedes Benz and Porsche.

It is known to be cheaper than its counterparts as well, manufacturing everything from compact I series vehicles to the fancy 5, 6, and 7 series.

Porsche

Another bona fide German automobile company is the immortal Porsche series, whose Headquarters are locate in Stuttgart. Known as amongst some of the finest cars in the world, it has crafted a niche as a racing car king, with more than 190 cars built for racing events alone in 2006.

From the 24 Hour Nürburgring race in June (one of Germany’s largest motorsport events) to the American Le Mans Series with races in Long Beach, Houston, and St. Petersburg, Russia – Porsche always delivers in the racing department. Plus, it was Ferdinand Porsche that came up with the VW Beetle prototype.

Mercedes Benz

One of the largest car manufacturer worldwide is also located in Sindelfingen, Germany, named Mercedes Benz, also known as Daimler. Daimler is well-known as producing cars with the longest life span. It is very common to drive a Mercedes Benz for 20+ years.

Volkswagen (VW)

Volkswagen, located in Wolfsburg, is another large car manufacturer and employer in Germany, producing cars all around the world.

The world famous Käfer became a national symbol for the industrialization in the years after World War II. Its follower, Beetle, is as well a symbol for freedom, joy, and happiness.

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All of the aforementioned cars speak volumes over Germany’s influence in the racing world. From the BMW to the Audi, Germany will continue to remain one of the premier racing and driving destinations in the world. ;-)

Made In Germany — A title with which Germany is home to some of the world’s most popular brands. From Lufthansa airlines to Ultrasone all the way down to Knoff and the infamous Jägermeister beverage, Germany has contributed a lot of products to the international scene.

On this page, I will focus on and discuss brands specifically Made In Germany — brands that have stood the test of time to become recognized as pioneers in their respective industries. These breakthrough companies include Hugo Boss, BMW, and Siemens.

To many, Siemens is a virtually unknown company with the only recognition seen is through its sponsorship of the Real Madrid soccer team. However, this Berlin and Munich headquartered company is one of the world’s biggest engineering and electronic companies. With almost 500,000 employees worldwide, the company specializes in lighting, medicine, transportation, and power as well.

Its ultrasound technology innovations like the CPS systems that detect molecules and Siemen’s position as the first company to develop a desktop phone with Bluetooth capabilities has made it one of the most renowned companies in the world — a true Made In Germany brand.

Another one is the Hugo Boss fashion line. It first started right after World War I and began designing uniforms for Nazi troops before going into suit design for menswear in the 1950s. Today, the company has close to 5000 employees with sales of close to 1 billion in 2001. It remains Germany’s largest manufacturer of men and women’s wear.

In the area of cars, Germany has led the pack with its dazzling array of auto brands including BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes Benz. Dubbed “the Ultimate Driving Machine” in the United States, BMW comes out with sporty roadsters and couples every year which are anticipated by every car enthusiast. They regularly compete with another German manufacturer, Mercedes Benz, “car for car” (i.e., the BMW 3 series competing with Mercedes Benz’ B-Class.)

Porsche is also another fine line of German automobiles, made by the same engineer that created the first Volkswagen vehicle. The company has raked in numerous awards for virtually every qualifier, from nameplates to prestige. If you have any questions over how it’s pronounced, it’s “por-scha” instead of “porsh,” which is how most English natives pronounce it.

All in all, the idea of “Made In Germany” has a strong and loyal following introducing many world-class products to the international scene. From electronics companies to top class cars, Germany is nothing short of a world power in this respect.

OK, let’s talk a bit about our German castles… Your home is your castle, but what if a castle is your home?

For one, you would have to be living in the Middle Ages or earlier, and then, you would have to be royalty and not just merely rich, or at least a fairy tale princess.

There’s something about a castle that requires an old world charm to be an integral part of its allure that is surely not evident in modern architecture. Let’s explore this allure in the castles of Germany.

German castles come down to us from a historic era when kings and emperors didn’t have to think twice about their choice of abodes. These castles were in fact secure fortifications built in strategic locations to keep the ruler safe.

The style of architecture with its typical turrets and ramparts which we today tend to associate more with lovelorn princesses, were actually common sense constructions that aided security and vantage points for attack.

History is full of anecdotes as to the origins of many such resplendent gems of architecture perched precariously on hill tops, languishing by flowing rivers, or peeping from amongst lush woods. Even in abysmal states of ruin, these castles of Germany have a dignified charm about them that defies replication in modern times.

There are about 20,000 castles dotting the immaculately splendid German landscape. Most of them are at least a hundred years old and now play host to museums, hotels, cultural art centers, and historical monuments.

Let’s talk about a handful of them…

The massive yet elegant edifice of the Heidelberg Castle is synonymous with Germany. Hundreds of visitors throng this medieval structure in admiration for a time gone by.

It used to the residence of the Palatinate electors from the 13th to the 18th century. During the renaissance period it underwent some major renovation that lends it the artistic elegance we see today.

Neuschwanstein Castle a.k.a. Swan Castle is the dream castle of Mad King Ludwig or Louis II of Bavaria standing proud on the picturesque Bavarian Alps, a testimony to his love of swans and opera. Perhaps it requires a touch of madness to be able to imagine beauty of this magnitude. Covered with slabs of lime stone, this magnificent 19th century edifice incorporates modern facilities such as running hot water on all floors.

Those who can’t make it to the Bavarian Alps to witness this splendid piece of history need to visit Disneyland to see a replica, though by no stretch of the imagination can it be said to come anywhere close to the original. Though he didn’t live to see it completed, he did have two other castles to his name that he did live in — the gorgeous Linderhof Palace and the Herrenchiemsee Castle, which he inhabited for only about 10 days.

The Eltz Castle is simply breathtaking as you come up on it suddenly among the lush woods. Its enigmatic beauty silently captures your senses. Even the most eloquent would experience a momentary loss of words when the history, the beauty, and the sheer majesty of the castle settles deep in your psyche.

It was built sometime in the 13th century and still stands today on the banks of the Elzbach River as it did then, caught in an eternal timelessness.

On spying a picturesque hilltop resplendent as a glittering emerald, Ludwig the Springer is supposed to have exclaimed, “Wait, mountain — you should become a castle for me!” And it became the famous Wartburg Castle built in 1067 and the seat of the Thuringian rulers until the 15th century.

Integrating a mesmerizing mix of influences ranging from Gothic and Renaissance to the Romanesque, it was restored to its 16th century splendor in the 1960s.

Marksburg Castle is the crowning glory atop a verdant hillside on the picturesque town of Braubach by the banks of the Rhine. Built in the 12th century, it remains intact to this day and is appropriately enough, the office of the German Castles Association.

Similarly located on a hilltop is the Gothic wonder of the Cochem Castle towering over 300 feet over the Moselle River. Built in the early medieval era, it was completed down the ages and underwent various modifications. Its marvelous silhouette stands against the blue skies standing watch over history.

A German castle that may send a shiver down your spine would be the Frankenstein Castle which is said to have inspired Mary Shelley to create the fable of the monster. Though in ruins, you can see two impressive towers that may help you imagine the impressive proportions of the original 13th century edifice.

More German Castles

You may be wondering about the other thousands and thousands of castles, palaces and residences in Germany and where they are.

Here are a few select more for you… :-)

• The shy Babelsberg Castle in Potsdam is another one that impresses as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The imposing Braunfels Castle in Braunfels, the fairytale residence that gracefully soars above the Lahn Valley and proves as a great family destination.
• The monstrous Burghausen Castle in Burghausen, which, with a length of more than one kilometer, is Europe’s longest castle complex!
• The monstrous Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin that’s probably the second most popular German Castle after Neuschwanstein, at least politically. ;-)
• The lofty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Koblenz once housed the Holy Tunic of Jesus Christ!
• The illustrious Goslar Imperial Palace a.k.a. Goslar Kaiserpfalz in Goslar that was the once-glorious seat of the Holy Roman Empire.
• The introvert Hohenschwangau Castle in Schwangau, the shy neighbor of the world famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
• The grand Hohenzollern Castle between Bisingen and Hechingen, where Emperor William II claimed, “The view from up here is truly worth a voyage.”
• The honored Johannisburg Castle in Aschaffenburg, a Renaissance masterpiece nestled in the Franconian countryside and boasting a Mediterranean Flair.
• The vast Marienberg Fortress in Würzburg can trace its long lineage all the way back to the ancient Celts.
• The precious Munich Residence in Munich that was a royal palace of the old Bavarian Kings and features an impressive treasury.
• The bully Nuremberg Castle in Nuremberg that’s used to be the royal residence of the Holy Roman Emperors for over half a millennium.
• The majestic Nymphenburg Palace in Munich that’s a favorite of old royal families and today’s tourists.
• The mighty Pfalzgrafenstein near Kaub, a pentagon-shaped fortress that sits in the Rhine River.
• The soothing Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam that Frederick The Great had commissioned in order to stay “without worries.”
• The knightly Satzvey Castle in Mechernich that keeps history alive with jousting tournaments and medieval markets.
• The posh Schwerin Castle in Schwerin, the “haunted” Neuschwanstein of North Germany.
• The elegant Schwetzingen Castle in Schwetzingen, the exquisite summer home of our previous Royalty and shining star and attractor factor for people from near and far.
• The remarkable Veste Coburg in Coburg showcasing illustrious stories involving Martin Luther and Queen Victoria.
• The classy Wernigerode Castle in Wernigerode, a must-see and masterpiece in the Harz Mountains.
• The glorious Würzburg Residence in Würzburg that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was adored by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte.
• The massive Zwinger Palace in Dresden, the charming, exquisite royal residence showcasing fine architecture and lovely gardens.

Here in Germany, we have large cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne, as well as thousands of smaller towns and villages.

Click one of the links below. I sorted all German cities, towns and villages in alphabetical order…

Unlike in many other countries, our villages are scattered throughout the country and Germans love to live in both large, vibrant cities as well as quiet, cozy small villages.

Germany has approximately 82 million inhabitants.

Would like to explore the history of Berlin with its still existent wall? Or what about the vibrant carnival in Cologne? That city has a city wall which you can still see nowadays!

Or what about The Green City Freiburg in the south, with lots of hills and mountains, the most sun hours of Germany, and very precious and friendly people?

Take advantage of the variation of our German cities and towns. Their historical buildings yet modern living is breath taking and unique!

Germany has lots of Federal States (16 to be exact); each with its own history, flavor, and traditions.

There are the sandy (yet rather fresh) beaches in the North, and, on the opposite, the (in summer) warm and (in winter) very snowy regions in the south.

German States Map

The federal based political system has been established after the Word War II. And that was just the start of considerable changes year after year.

For example, a lot of old provinces and areas have been joined together to form a more stable, more “productive” joint venture, sort of. One example is Baden-Württemberg, which was formerly divided into Baden, Württemberg, and Hohenzollern.

You still can recognize slight differences in the attitude of its people. Though, nowadays, they enjoy their married life thoroughly, so to speak. ;-)

By the way, Baden-Württemberg is one of the country’s wealthiest states and home of popular German Car manufacturer such as Porsche, Mercedes, and Audi.

Of course, not everything had been changed. For instance, city states such as Hamburg and Bremen are still as is.

As I mentioned earlier, there are 16 federal states in Germany, and each has its own capital city. It all starts with the German city state of Berlin.

Yes, Berlin is not only a city, and not only Germany’s capital, but a city state at the same time, too. Furthermore, you’ll find out that it’s the leader in artistic, political, and cultural life.

Next, let’s go to Bavaria. Bavaria? Munich? Exactly, Munich is in Bavaria, it’s even its capital. In that state, you’ll find warmth, the Bavarian Alps, the Bavarian Forest, and lots more.

Another state worth mentioning is Hesse (Hessen), whose capital is Wiesbaden, which is very close to Frankfurt am Main, THE financial metropolis of Germany (due to its exhaustive banking industry), if not Europe (since the European Central Bank is located in Frankfurt)!

Most folks know Frankfurt from its International Airport though. (Ever been there? :-)

Remaining German States are…

Brandenburg — Surrounding Germany’s capital (and capital state), Berlin, there’s still discussion going on as for merging those two states into one.

Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) — This state was founded in 1946 by the British military administration, who merged the former states of Brunswick, Oldenburg, and Schaumburg-Lippe with the former Prussian province of Hanover.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) — Flat country, the Baltic Sea, the Mecklenburg Lakes, and among the least densely populated state in Germany. Lovely called MeckPomm for short, it’s another state that formerly existed as two states named Mecklenburg and Vorpommern.

North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — This is the largest German state, in terms of population. It has more than 18 million inhabitants and is influenced by its extensive coal mining industry.

Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) — Medieval castles, extensive wine regions, multi-color culture — this state is certainly a good spot for a relaxing Germany vacation.

Saarland — This one is the smallest of German states in terms of population (only 1 million inhabitants). It was under French power (two times, I believe), and is rich in forests and scenic wine yards.

Saxony (Sachsen) — Big-city stylishness and small-town romance, river valley and mountains, palaces and citadels, arts and skill, classical music and a sparkling bar scene, industrial architecture and industrial culture: Saxony has it all.

Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt) — Can you believe it? Saxony-Anhalt is 23 times larger than Berlin, but has less inhabitants? Only 2.5 million people live in this federal state, which is famous for having the best soil of Germany.

Schleswig-Holstein — This is Germany’s northernmost state and has been controlled by Austria and Denmark throughout various points in history.

Thuringia (Thüringen) — Thuringia is another state that is much larger than Berlin (18 times), but has less inhabitants. Only 2.3 million people enjoy their life in this east German state.

Phew! Quite a lot, right? But that’s it for now.

Now, go ahead and explore our German states thoroughly.

At first glance, the German culture might not sound appealing as well. Along with their Austrian and Swiss counterparts, Germans have endured a reputation as racists and violence lovers, given the Nazi regime during the dirty Third Reich movement and its role in World War II which produced the likes of Bismarck and Hitler.

On the contrary, German culture is rich and illustrious, contributing greatly throughout the history of the world. Its advances in the areas of literature, cinema, music, philosophy, sports, and cuisine in the international scene are well respected. We’ve discovered new modes of thought, challenged our academia, and learned from a tumultuous past to create an already promising present and a better future.

The first notable part of German culture is the contributions it’s made to philosophy. Starting with philosopher Immanuel Kant who believed lying was sin under any circumstance, German philosophy helped shape western philosophy with its idea of communist and social theory as well. Nietzsche, Karl Max, and Frederich Engels are some philosophers who have made an impact.

Another portion of German culture is its cinema. During the Weimar Republic years, German expressionism came to light with the works of Friedrich Murnay and Robert Wiene as well.

Speaking of artistic and cultural endeavors, we can make a comfortable shift into aspects of the “micro-culture” like the German school system. It is mandatory for every child ages 6 through 15 and is funded by the government. It does share distinctions in the ways children are spaced out.

For example, secondary general school consists of grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and sometimes 10, while part time or full time vocational schools can be attended at the 11th and 12th grade levels with a vocational qualification period in the 13th grade.

On a completely different note, another important aspect of the German culture is its long standing beer tradition, which goes back to the 1010’s. German beers are recognized for their quality and come in many different types, including ale, lagers, and beers from different regions. Currently, there are more than 5,000 (!) brands of beer in circulation, with some of the larger breweries in the north along with the smaller, local operations found in the south.

If you want to catch beer at its finest moment, visit the annual festival known as Oktoberfest in Munich held every year for two weeks starting in late September. Breweries from around the country serve beer in huge tents in this all-out celebration of one of Germany’s finest trademarks.

Dear fellow Germany Lover… :-)

You certainly would like to know more than you currently find on my site.

What do you miss?

What are your biggest 1 to 3 questions about travel to and through Germany?

Tell me your questions, wishes and thoughts.

Or you are impressed and satisfied about my site?

Either way, go ahead and contact me using the form below:

P.S. You can contact me in both English and German. Du kannst/Sie können mir gerne auch auf Deutsch schreiben.

In the summer of 2007, Marcus Hochstadt envisioned a comprehensive online guide about Germany and its sheer number of pulsating cities, magnificent regions, and soothing corners. After months of contemplation, the pipe dream got a name, a design, and a home page.

Today, MyGermanCity.com is driven with a passion for the world’s most beloved country, working eagerly to provide you with an extensive one-of-a-kind guide about it.

Curious? :-)

• Marcus HochstadtWhat has Marcus found? He forgot, but he’s on a tireless worldwide hunt for the long forgotten. One day he may wake up (probably under a Bo-Tree, with a laptop) realizing he’d already found it decades ago. Who knows? Two things are crystal clear, though… Marcus is German (oops!), and he kicked off this frenzy.

North Rhine-Westphalia (German: Nordrhein-Westfalen, often short NRW) is a federal state in the western part of Germany. With Düsseldorf as its capital, it has the highest density in population. (More than 18 million people live here!)

North Rhine-Westphalia Map

It’s easily recognizable by the fact that you find city after city after city, and, in the Ruhr area, highways and Autobahns often go along sleeping rooms! (Though, that does not mean it’s nice to live there!)

Almost completely damaged in the Second World War, this metropolis does not rank amongst the most attractive in Germany, but it nevertheless boasts some of the largest shopping centers, tasty restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and historical museums. It has several large metropolises like Cologne (largest city), Bonn (former capital of Germany), Duisburg, Dortmund, Remscheid, and Essen.

And Düsseldorf, among the main economic centers and transport hubs in Germany, holds abundance of conservative nature under its glamor, glitz and huge trade fair. It is filled with civilization, plenty of cooking regional delights, and many breathtaking nightclubs. This is particularly present in Old Town, recognized as the Altstadt district, where interesting architecture outlines a great deal of the Rhine river.

North Rhine-Westphalia has extraordinary riches of natural landscapes. From the flat Münsterland area and upland areas such as the Sauerland to the volcanic Eifel area and the Lower Rhine, all this is there for you to be explored.. The Ruhr area also has a number of natural attractions that are sure to appeal to any nature admirer.

Though, it is mainly recognized for its industrial history. It is a highly developed state which holds the major manufacturing concentration in Europe, with one of the largest mining and energy-producing regions in Europe. It has outstanding transport services, together with superhighways, electrified railing facility, waterway transport, and two great airdromes.

Its manufacturers comprise chemical, machinery, processed foodstuff, fabric, garments, coal mining, and iron and steel. More than half of the state’s total land is occupied with commercial farming as well as estates and orchards, although these enterprise sum to only a little part of the area’s gross yearly manufactured goods.

And on Christmas? Roads are overflowing with little timber huts. The Weinachtsmarkt in Aachen is a famous Christmas marketplace, but the one in Düsseldorf is extra wide-ranging, more pleasurable, and has more things you would like to purchase. And not to forget the Cologne Christmas Markets! (Yes, they have more than one.)

Cologne Cathedral certainly is the city’s best-known attraction. It is the biggest of its type in Europe whose construction started in 1248 and, after several pauses some of which lasted centuries, was at last finished between the year 1842 and 1880.

Rhein-Ruhr Airport in Düsseldorf [DUS], an international airport, is the third largest of Germany, which serves most European destinations. Another large airport is that of Cologne/Bonn [CGN].