The city's economic success, its great cultural traditions and its colourful history have always attracted many important people to Erfurt. In the 12th century, Emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa)   stayed in Erfurt on at least six occasions. In 1289/90, the (Habsburg) King Rudolph I took up residence at the royal court in Erfurt. Meister Eckhart, one of the most important German mystics, also lived in this city. Martin Luther spent his formative years at the University of Erfurt and at the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt. Gustavus Adolphus II, the Swedish king stayed in the city in 1631 and 1632. Towards the end of the 18th century, Friedrich Schiller attended a performance of his play 'Don Carlos' in Erfurt.

In 1808, Czar Alexander I of Russia met Napoleon at the Congress of Princes in Erfurt. Famous names such as Adam Ries, Johann  Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Gottfried Herder, Christoph Martin Wieland and Wilhelm von Humboldt have close links with the history of Erfurt. This Thuringian metropolis is making its presence felt in other parts of the world. International stars in the world of show business have performed in the newly built concert hall. Television programmes and political events have been broadcast live from Erfurt.

This city has produced world-class sporting stars. The national 'Children's Channel' is based in Erfurt. The national industrial tribunal has now been re-located to Thuringia's capital city. Whether it be on account of its importance as a centre of regional government, as a university town, as a trading centre, as an important location for the media and for the economy, as a city famous for its sport, as a centre for culture and transport or simply as an attractive shopping centre, Erfurt really is a city to be proud of.