Erlangen

With a current population of just over 112,000, Erlangen is the second smallest city in the Franconian conurbation of Nuremberg and is located in the north of the conurbation, on the Regnitz, Schwabach and Aurach rivers and near the Main-Danube Canal. Erlangen was first mentioned in a document in 1002. However, the city only achieved supra-regional fame and importance through the settlement of many Huguenots who had fled from France in 1686 and the founding of the Friedrich Alexander University in 1743, which currently has about 33,000 students. These students have a noticeable influence on Erlangen's lively cultural life, and nightlife takes place around the main street in the center and in the so-called Zollhausviertel between Luitpoldstraße and Lorlebergplatz. Erlangen is well attended during the "Bergkirchweih" around Whitsun, and in good weather the spacious castle garden is a popular meeting place.