Germany's oddest tourist attractions

Valhalla temple, Bavaria

This neo-classical structure perches high on the banks of the Danube and is an almost perfect copy of the Parthenon in Athens. Housing over 200 busts and plaques of eminent Germans, the Valhalla temple is a 169-year-old who’s-who of German history and is visited by over one million people annually.

German Hygiene Museum, Dresden

Less soap and scrubbing brushes, and more social and scientific revolution, The Hygiene Museum in Dresden receives over 300,000 visitors a year. Main exhibitions centre now centre around the human body, and the promotion of bodily awareness and health over the past century. During the Third Reich, however, it was used to produce material in support of eugenics.

Surfing on the Isar River, Bavaria

For the past 30 years, water sport enthusiasts in Munich have been turning their hand at city centre surfing on a tributary of the Isar River. A one metre high standing wave can be found just beyond the Haus der Kunst and during sunny days, queues of people can be found waiting for their turn to carve it up.

As Slow As Possible - John Cage performance, Saxony-Anhalt

One for the music aficionados, John Cage’s composition As Slow As Possible is being played one note at a time in St. Burchardi church, Halberstadt, Saxony-Anhalt. Played normally, the piece should last between 20 and 70 minutes, but in St. Burchardi’s the piece will end in 2640, making it the longest performance ever, lasting a whopping 639 years long. The next note change is scheduled for July 5 2012, when crowds are expected to gather to hear it.

Wave-Gotik-Treffen, Leipzig

One of the largest Goth events in the world takes place every spring in Leipzig, where 20,000 dark revellers will be getting their freak on. The global meet-up started in old East Germany, but was swiftly banned. Restarted again in 1992, Goths worldwide have been descending on the Saxon city over Whitsun weekend ever since.

Hermann memorial, North Rhine-Westphalia

Deep in the Teutoburg forest near Detmold stands a 54 metre tall homage to ancient Germanic war chief Hermann. The monument, atop of which stands a 26 metre tall figure of Hermann himself, was built in the 19th century to commemorate several battles in the area, in which German tribes triumphed over Roman legions in 9 AD.

Tropical Islands, Brandenburg

A (not so genuine) touch of the exotic in Brandenburg; Tropical Islands is the world’s largest indoor pool complex nestled in a 66,000 metre square airship hangar. And for just €29 visitors can enjoy a day exploring the tropical rainforests, playing mini golf and swimming in the Balinese lagoon. Tropical Islands is open every day of the year and stays at a pleasant 26 degrees Celsius in deepest winter.

Teufelsberg, Berlin

Teufelsberg, or "the devil’s hill" in English stands at 80 metres over Berlin and was built by the Allies post World War II using the mounds of rubble left over from bombing raids. The site was originally earmarked by Hitler as the location of a new military training school, but now hosts an abandoned Cold-War listening station. The stunning views from the top and sloping sides make it popular with both thrill-seekers and those looking to relax.

Mud Olympics, Schleswig-Holstein

North of Hamburg, around 500 contestants in the annual Mud Olympics – Wattolümpiade – throw themselves around on the soggy banks of the river Elbe. Teams take part in events such as mud volleyball, tug of war, and a wriggly eel relay race in this unorthodox battle of the fittest. Getting filthy isn’t just in the name of fun, however, as proceeds are donated to local charities.