All tours in Erlangen

Erlangen

The Sterile Dynamism: Erlangen's Medical Valley

3.7 km109 min6 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Discover how a historic Franconian baroque town transformed into a hyper-specialized, globalized open-air laboratory. On this journey, you will explore the architectural and social paradoxes of Erlangen—where 17th-century gardens meet 21st-century precision engineering, and where monolithic red-brick corporate palaces are giving way to transparent, glass-clad innovation hubs. Uncover the invisible forces of high-end health engineering that dictate the city's skyline, its demographics, and its very pulse.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Medical Valley Center Erlangen

The sleek, modern incubator that serves as the epicenter of Germany's largest healthcare cluster.

Medical Valley Center Erlangen

Image by Masteraah on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.35 km • 5 min
2

STOP 2

Siemens Healthineers MedMuseum

A museum housed in an 1893 factory, chronicling the shift from artisanal medical crafts to global industrial manufacturing.

Siemens Healthineers MedMuseum

Image by Janericloebe on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.84 km • 13 min
3

STOP 3

Himbeerpalast (Raspberry Palace)

The colossal former Siemens headquarters, a red-brick monolith that dictated the city's layout and is now transitioning to university use.

Himbeerpalast (Raspberry Palace)

Image by Janericloebe on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

1.08 km • 17 min
4

STOP 4

Schlossgarten

The historic green heart of the city, serving as a vital social commons for the highly specialized international workforce and student body.

Schlossgarten

Image by Aarp65 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.86 km • 13 min
5

STOP 5

Translational Research Center (TRC)

A highly functional, glass-heavy facility designed to physically and organizationally bridge the gap between basic laboratory research and clinical application.

0.58 km • 9 min
6

END

Kopfkliniken (Head Clinics)

The massive clinical complex dominating the northern skyline, representing the sheer scale and anatomical specialization of modern medicine.

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Architecture enthusiasts, urban explorers, medical history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of technology, society, and city planning.
  • Best time Weekdays during business hours to truly feel the bustling, dynamic energy of the research hubs and the student life in the gardens.
  • What to bring Comfortable walking shoes and a curious mind.
  • Pacing Take your time in the Schlossgarten to rest and people-watch.
  • Museum access Check the Siemens Healthineers MedMuseum opening hours if you wish to go inside.
  • Photography The glass facades of the TRC offer incredible reflections for architecture photography.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Tom Bennett
Audio sample
0:000:00

Tom Bennett

  • Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Northern England

Architecture and urban planning professional. Explains the city's hidden systems – from mobility to water pipes – clearly and vividly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

Discover more tours in Erlangen

Experience Erlangen from more surprising perspectives.

See more tours in Erlangen
Now only €3.99 incl. VAT