Saarbrücken Welcomes Families with Nature, History and Culture

Germany’s 16 states each offer something different for family travelers, with unique cultural influences, landscapes, cuisines and histories. But one that tends to fly under the radar is Saarland, the country’s youngest state, and on a recent trip to this lesser-known destination, I discovered firsthand why its capital city of Saarbrücken is an ideal place for families to experience Germany.

While Saarland only became a German state in 1957, its history goes back far, and Saarbrücken serves not only the perfect base camp for families to explore, but it also offers a rich assortment of attractions that will introduce you to the region.

© Eugenia Lazaris

One third of the city is forest, giving you stunning views from many vantage points, and the calm waters of Saar River wind through the landscape, creating a peaceful aura that hangs over the city. Saarbrücken is best explored on foot, so you can take in the family-friendly vibe of the city at a leisurely pace. Along your journey you can visit many beautiful historic sites, like Ludwig’s Church, the architectural symbol of the Saarland. The building, crafted from local sandstone in a Baroque architectural style, dates back to 1775 but was destroyed by a bombing raid in 1944. A lengthy reconstruction began in the late 1980s and was finally completed in 2012. Today, it is known as one of the purest late Baroque structures in the world.

A short walk from Ludwig’s Church is Saarbrücken Castle, a site that has had many iterations throughout history. From castle to palace to one-time Gestapo headquarters, the building stands as a testament to perseverance and quiet resistance to the Nazi regime. Today, visitors can tour the palace and enjoy the Baroque architecture, but it is the entrance courtyard that holds the best secrets. Known as the “Invisible Memorial Square,” the courtyard consists of 2,146 stones. In 1989, a local professor inscribed the names of the city’s Jewish cemeteries on the underside of 13 of the courtyard stones as a symbol of the people’s unwillingness to avoid talking about the past.

© Eugenia Lazaris

Both Ludwig’s Church and Saarbrücken Palace sit on the east bank of the Saar, but it is an absolute must to head across the river, not just to visit the old city center, but also to take a walk across Blue Bridge, also known as Alte Brücke. The bridge was the first built in the city and dates to 1549. Today it continues to stand and serves the city as a beautiful walking and biking bridge and offers beautiful views up and down the river.

Once you cross the river, you’ll soon find yourself in beautiful St. Johanner Markt Square where shops, breweries and taverns line the cobblestone streets. Considered the beating heart of the city, this beautiful square is full of old-world charm and great places to experience something the city is extremely proud of: its cuisine. Saarbrücken doesn’t tolerate mediocrity in its cuisine, and that is evident as you experience delicious dishes of homemade dumplings, stews and sweet desserts, all made from local ingredients and traditional recipes.