Hildesheim, Germany

Capital City

With a population of just over 102,000, Hildesheim is a compact city that offers a glimpse into Germany's medieval past, but its postwar reconstruction has left a distinctly bland, bureaucratic feel. The historic center was devastated by Allied bombing in 1945, and while many of the iconic half-timbered buildings have been painstakingly recreated, the overall aesthetic is one of cultural heritage Disneyfied. That said, the city's wealth of Romanesque churches, including the UNESCO-listed St. Michael's, provide a rewarding draw for architecture buffs. Persistent headaches like navigating the city's complex web of regulations and permissions may prove off-putting for some. Overall, Hildesheim caters best to those seeking a quaint, low-key German town frozen in time - just don't expect the dynamism of a modern metropolis.