Kika Figures of Erfurt

The German city of Erfurt is often overlooked by tourists. But the eastern city brims with history and is decorated with pristine medieval architecture left relatively untouched by World War II.

Standing among these historic buildings are attractions that’ll appeal to a young—or young-at-heart—crowd. Life-sized figures of beloved German children’s TV characters such as Bernd das Brot (Bernd the Bread), Sandmännchen (Sandman), and Pittiplatsch dot the city, adding a whimsical touch to the streets.

The first figures arrived in the city in 2007. Initially, 10 characters were brought to life to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Kika, a children’s TV channel based in Erfurt. Since then, an additional four have been added. The most recent statues arrived in September 2019.

The characters have been a hit with both children and adults alike. Free maps and even guided tours for children are offered so everyone can find each character while walking through the inner city.