Thousands of tourists and residents in Cologne affix "love padlocks" on the Hohenzollernbrücke Bridge to symbolize their affections.

A ruined castle stands atop a hill surrounded by dragon lore.

This medieval castle overlooking the Elzbach river looks just like it did hundreds of years ago.

This Cold War–era fallout shelter was actually a storage facility for the nation's emergency currency.

From Nazi chemicals to the CIA, this architectural marvel has played a fascinating role in German history.

Carved fountains poignantly placed in parks and in front of special monuments.

Fantastic views and thousands of love locks.

The sweet story of how American cargo planes became known as "Candy Bombers" during the Berlin Blockade.

A memorial for a young woman and her ghost, which are claimed to have caused countless deathly shipwrecks.

Tiny castle in the middle of the Rhine made you pay to pass.

This marvelous array is one of the largest collections of mechanical instruments in Europe.

Legendary site where an evil bishop was devoured by rodents.

The birthplace of an eccentric alchemist and possible inspiration for the fictional reanimator of monsters.

The oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe survived Hitler's Germany.

A local museum honors the history of Bamberg’s unique cultural heritage: growing crops in the heart of the city.

A beautiful collection of taxidermy birds and rare pomological wax models.

Art historians have debated the identity of this medieval stone rider since the 19th century.

A tiny basalt mountain with an observation tower overlooking the beautiful Bavarian countryside.

Horrifically creative torture devices and shame punishments line the walls of this chilling museum.

Every hour the doors open to reenact the legend of the heroic mayor who saved his town by drinking a gallon of wine.

A castle from the Holy Roman Empire that hosts traveling youth... in its stables.

This historic toy museum brings a little whimsy to a city not usually remembered for such things.

This abandoned coliseum was intended to be a grand Nazi rallying ground before it was halted at the end of the war.

A man-made slag heap that you can "ski" down, and is home to the world sandboarding championships.