GERMANY

Building styles represent different periods and locales, but rely heavily on the romantic, fairy-tale architecture of Germany.

The atmosphere of a biergarten is derived from the 16th-century town of Rothenberg. The Platz (plaza) includes a dynamic sculpture of St. George and the Dragon.

The facade of an art and book shop was inspired by the Kaufhaus, a 16th-century merchants’ hall in Freiburg in the Black Forest. Statues on the building recall the rule of the Hapsburg Emperors. An exterior facade was copied from a 400-year-old town hall in Romsburg Square in Frankfurt.

The high wall serving as a backdrop for the showcase was inspired by the Eltz Castle on the Mosel River and Stahleck Castle on the Rhine.

A large model railway and restaurant can also be found here.

Lining the front of the Germany pavilion is a row of sycamore trees, carefully pruned during the winter months. This style of pruning or “pollarding” originates in Europe and is used to control the size of the trees in urban areas. Closer to the water are flower beds filled with several varieties of Old World roses. Over the past 120 years, the evolution of the rose has concentrated on the importance of the flowers’ looks, rather than the strength of the scent. But Old World roses, like the ones found in the Germany pavilion, maintain a beautiful fragrance, are prolific bloomers and have a stronger resistance to insects.

In order to fill this pavilion with color, many container flowers, hanging baskets and window boxes enhance and decorate shop areas. Ivy-geraniums, a flowering plant often used in window boxes in Germany, do not thrive year-round in the Florida climate. To create a similar look, Epcot gardeners combine two plants: English ivy and traditional geraniums. Few Epcot guests notice the difference.

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Attractions & Live Entertainment Oktoberfest Musikanten Pal Mickey Interaction Dining Biergarten Restaurant Sommerfest Shopping Der Bucherwurm - Hand-painted eggs, books and gifts. Der Teddybar - Toys, dolls and bears. Die Weihnachts Ecke - German Christmas items. Kunstarbeit In Kristall - Crystal (Arribas bros.) glassware and collectables. Weinkeller - German wines, cheeses, accessories and wine tastings. Volkskunst - Cuckoo clocks and steins.

Tips & Fun Facts Don't miss the elaborate model railway located just beyond the restrooms as you walk towards Italy If you're visiting in the month of October (or during the Food and Wine festival) you'll catch the Germany pavilion's Oktoberfest celebrations. The pavilion's architecture is inspired by the buildings of Bavaria and the Rhine region of Germany. Other details come from communities of the German north. A statue in the center of the plaza is of St. George, the patron saint of soldiers. It depicts St George's victory over the dragon. A glockenspiel chimes to a melody specially composed for Epcot. Boy and girl figurines emerge as the clock strikes, much like the famous Munich glockenspiel. A Rhine River attraction was originally planned, and a building was even built for it, but the attraction was never constructed. Geraniums feature heavily around the Germany pavilion, including over stuffed window boxes. Hidden Mickeys There are usually hidden Mickey's to be found around the model railway, adjacent to the Germany pavilion Related Links Google Maps Park Map Photos