Local Wonders: Germany's Most Amazing Landmarks

Records hold a certain fascination for people. It's no wonder the advertising industry often resorts to superlatives like 'largest', 'most beautiful', 'fastest'. And often, we don't even know that we don't have to travel far to visit places of superlatives. Because even in Germany, there are some world records to admire.

You shouldn't suffer from claustrophobia when you visit the narrowest alley in the world. Measuring just 31 centimeters wide, the Spreuerhofstraße in Reutlingen is officially listed in the 'Guinness Book of World Records'.

'Take on the challenge and suck in your stomach. See you on the other side,' reads the sign at the entrance of the narrow street, where you best move sideways through. The signs pointing out the world record have been stolen so often that they are now secured with special seals on the half-timbered house.

For almost 200 years, the narrow alley was just a nice shortcut for the people of Reutlingen during their city walks. It wasn't until 2007 that this Swabian tourist attraction was awakened from its long sleep: Since then, visitors from all over the world squeeze through the two old house walls.

The most tilted tower in the world isn't in Pisa, but in Germany. For decades, the church tower in the East Frisian village of Suurhusen was considered the most tilted tower in the world. But since September 2022, the bell tower in Gau-Weinheim near Mainz holds this honor.

Measurements in the summer showed that the former watchtower in Rhineland-Palatinate, with its tilt of 5.43 degrees, is 0.24 degrees more tilted than the previous record holder from Lower Saxony - and even a proud 1.45 degrees more than the famous landmark in Italy.

'We are a small community with a relatively small bell tower, which nevertheless has an enormous impact,' said Erwin Gottschlich, the initiator of the world record attempt, to SWR. The tower of superlatives is intended to attract more tourists to the region.

The world record was confirmed by the Record Institute for Germany (RID), which is described as the equivalent to the international 'Guinness Book of World Records'. According to SWR, an entry there would have cost a whopping 17,000 euros - too much for the small community, which financed its world record with a village festival.

More than 4,000 birds of over 650 species, in the middle of the Lüneburg Heath: The Walsrode World Bird Park is the largest bird park in the world. Covering 240,000 square meters, you can experience tiny hummingbirds, elegant flamingos, and breathtaking birds of prey.

What started as a small hobby of a Walsrode merchant has developed over the past 50 years into a tourist magnet for the Heath region. The spectacular flight shows, rare bird species, and flight halls attract tens of thousands of visitors from home and abroad annually.

The bird nursery station serves not only as an attraction for visitors. The park is also committed to species conservation through its breeding programs. Over the past few years, endangered species have repeatedly hatched in Walsrode.

Even in Swabia, you can find an attraction of superlatives. And who would be surprised that it's a piggy bank - Swabians are popularly considered to be particularly thrifty.

Standing 5.5 meters tall and 18 meters in circumference, the red pig on Schillerplatz in Ludwigsburg officially received the title of the world's largest piggy bank in 2015. Inside, visitors can learn about savings on two levels - after all, the superlative piggy bank was initiated by the Kreissparkasse to mark World Savings Day.

'I am red and as big as a house' is the slogan of the record pig, which was named Louise. The huge piggy bank in Ludwigsburg is truly unmissable. A slide from the pig provides fun, and a coin minting offers a keepsake of visiting the 'Guinness World Records' pig.

The visit to the record destination in Bavaria is anything but dry: The Weihenstephan State Brewery in Freising is considered the oldest brewery in the world. As early as 1040, the then Benedictine monastery received its license to brew beer.

Very early on, the monks brought a whole range of products to market: light beer for pilgrims, laborers, and beggars, stronger beer was served to craftsmen, and abbots and secular dignitaries enjoyed a more savory variant.

If you want to continue your journey of barley juice, you're in luck: Only 60 kilometers north is the world's second oldest brewery - perfect for a beer-themed weekend. In Weltenburg Abbey near Kelheim, brewing has taken place since 1050 AD. Now the only question left is whether to test Pale Ale or Bock, Kellerbier or Radler.

Say hello to the cuckoo - in a very special way. In the Black Forest stands a cuckoo clock of superlatives: The wooden bird alone towers over you at 4.5 meters tall and weighs a proud 150 kilograms. The record clock is the pride of the Eble Clock Park in the Black Forest.

The gigantic clock was built entirely according to traditional craftsmanship, albeit at 60 times its normal size. This gives visitors the opportunity to also view the clock from inside. At the heart of the clock beats a fully functional clockwork, which, despite its size, is purely mechanically driven by two pine cone weights.

Every half and full hour, the cuckoo leaves its giant nest and announces the time from the second-story window. An experience of superlatives, on which the clockmakers have worked for five years.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net, and the best travel deals on our deal page.