Osnabr"uck and Mainz Join 14-City Marketing Alliance
AUGSBURG, Germany, May 16, 2008. Historic Highlights of Germany has announced the addition of two historic cities -- Osnabr"uck and Mainz -- to it roster of tourism marketing partners, now numbering 14. G"otz Beck, the organization's chairman, foresees the two cities as strong partners that round out the group's programs: "These two new members strengthen the appeal and core messages of Historic Highlights of Germany."
Although all of the member cities share similar traits of historic structures and cultural heritage, each brings its unique character and profile to the consortium. Mainz, the capital of the state of Rheinland-Palatinate with more than 2,000 years of history, is surrounded by Germany's largest wine region. Its rich culture is apparent in its countless sites including Roman ruins; the 1,000-year-old Cathedral of St. Martin; the Gutenberg museum, focused on the city's greatest son and inventor of the first printing press with movable type; the historic Old Town; and the Citadel of Mainz, constructed in 1660.
Osnabr"uck, in Germany's Lower Saxony region, is more than 1,200 years old and shares with M"unster the distinction of being one of the negotiation sites for the Peace of Westphalia, ending the Thirty Years' War. The city's ongoing commitment to a policy of peaceful political engagement has earned it the title of "City of Peace." A university town, Osnabr"uck is the only German city set in a national park, which includes the scenic Teutoburg Forest. Visitors can take in the spectacular contemporary architecture of the Felix-Nussbaum-House, which holds the largest collection of paintings by the Osnabr"uck-born German artist Felix Nussbaum; St. Peter's Cathedral, founded in the 11th century; and one of Germany's most popular historic Christmas Markets.
Founded 30 years ago, Historic Highlights of Germany consists of Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Mainz, M"unster, Potsdam, Osnabr"uck, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and W"urzburg -- all cities with distinctive profiles. The tourism marketing alliance requires that cities meet several strict criteria: history must still be evident in the buildings, lay-out and overall character of each city; the lodging and gastronomy must reflect regional individuality and specialties; the region around each city must offer an additional appeal; and populations must range between 100,000 and 300,000 inhabitants.
The organization is supported by the Deutsche Zentrale F"ur Tourismus (German National Tourist Office), German Rail and Lufthansa. Detailed information on the cities is available online at www.historicgermany.com.
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