Seeing Past German Town’s Tragedy

The front-page story “German Teen Kills 17, Self in Shooting Spree at School” (April 27) may induce travelers to avoid Erfurt, Germany. This would be sad, as the city occupies a special place in our hearts. My wife and I discovered it two years ago.

The tragedy occurred in a 1,000-year-old town that has a magnificent cathedral, squares and half-timbered buildings. Because it was behind the postwar Iron Curtain, it was not accessible to Americans for decades. Miraculously, Erfurt was one of the few towns of its size in Germany that wasn’t virtually leveled in the bombings.

Less than a half-hour away by train, colorful Weimar, Wittenberg and Eisenach are UNESCO World Cultural Cities. All played major roles in the life and works of Martin Luther during the Reformation. Eisenach is also renowned for its fascinating fortress-palace, the Wartburg, founded in 1067, which has a hotel and restaurant.

ED HELWICK

Culver City