Erfurt Krämerbrücke

This medieval bridge across the Gera river is lined on both sides with timber-framed and stone houses, making it one of the longest inhabited bridges in Europe. Merchants have traded here since the twelfth century, and today the narrow lane is filled with craft workshops, chocolatiers and antiquarian shops. Because the buildings hide the river, many visitors do not realise they are standing on a bridge until they view it from the banks. A distinctive detail is the annual bridge festival, when the whole street is decked with lanterns and stalls.