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The historic Prussian Empire by train: A Civilization VII-inspired journey

 

 

Sukriti Kapoor, Content Writer  ·  5 February 2025

civ vii logo artwork with berlin and gdansk images

Breathe life into your favourite strategy game as you step off the train and into adventure.

 

Interrail, in collaboration with the new Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, takes you on an incredible journey through one of the video game’s Modern Age civilizations – the Prussian Empire. 

 

Travel through Germany and Poland to relive the pivotal past of the once mighty kingdom. From grand Gothic cathedrals to opulent royal palaces, medieval fortresses to bustling merchant squares, this itinerary weaves through what was once the heart of an empire that shaped modern European history. 

Venture on a historic quest

Use the Interrail 15-day continuous Global Pass or 10 days in 2 months Global Pass to explore every chapter of the empire’s history or simply embark on a highlights tour. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you enjoy bringing your strategy game to life, one legendary city at a time.

 

  1. Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪
  2. Marburg, Germany 🇩🇪
  3. Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪
  4. Potsdam, Germany 🇩🇪
  5. Wrocław, Poland 🇵🇱
  6. Gdańsk, Poland 🇵🇱
  7. Malbork, Poland 🇵🇱
  8. Elbląg, Poland 🇵🇱
  9. Toruń, Poland 🇵🇱
  10. Poznań, Poland 🇵🇱
A map of the suggested route of the historic Prussian empire

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Trip details

The Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge as viewed from the other side of the Rhine River

The Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge as viewed from the other side of the Rhine River

Cologne, Germany

Why it's worth visiting:

Start your Prussian adventure in Cologne, a city with a rich medieval past that was incorporated into the Kingdom of Prussia in the early 19th century.

What to do:
  • Look up as you leave Cologne’s Hauptbahnhof and take in the sheer grandeur of Cologne Cathedral, one of Europe’s tallest Gothic cathedrals. A climb to the top of the tower offers rewarding panoramic city views. 
  • Explore the Altstadt, Cologne’s beautifully reconstructed old town, and admire Pixie’s Fountain (Heinzelmännchenbrunnen). This charming sculpture brings to life a ballad by the renowned Prussian poet August Kopisch. 
  • Walk along the Rhine River and across the iconic steel landmark Hohenzollern Bridge, named after the ancestral home of the Prussian dynasty.
Suggested route
  • From: Cologne Hauptbahnhof
  • To: Marburg Lahn station
  • Average travel time: 2h 30m
  • Transfers: 1
  • Seat reservations: Not required
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View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
Half-timbered houses standing tall in Marburg's Old Town

Half-timbered houses standing tall in Marburg's Old Town

Marburg, Germany

Why it's worth visiting:

A university town steeped in history and folklore, Marburg is where the Brothers Grimm once studied and gathered tales from the surrounding regions to serve as inspiration for their famous fairy tales.

What to do:
  • Marvel at Marburg Castle, built as a hilltop fortress in the 11th century, that offers sweeping views of the city below. Today, it houses exhibitions that bring to life the castle’s history and striking architecture. 
  • Begin at the market square in the Old Town and weave your way through narrow, winding streets lined with half-timbered houses. Explore small shops and cosy up with a coffee as you soak in the charm of the city’s fairytale-like setting. 
  • Visit St. Elizabeth’s Church, a remarkable Gothic landmark that was an important pilgrimage site during the medieval era. Today, the church continues to enchant visitors with its soaring architecture.
Suggested route
  • From: Marburg Lahn station
  • To: Berlin Hauptbahnhof
  • Average travel time: 4h 11m
  • Transfers: 1
  • Seat reservations: Not required
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View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
Berlin's iconic Bode Museum on Museum Island with the Berlin TV Tower in the background

The iconic Bode Museum on Museum Island with the Berlin TV Tower in the background

 

 

A still of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin from Sid Meier's Civilization VII game

A still of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin from Sid Meier's Civilization VII game

Berlin, Germany

Why it's worth visiting:

A centre of Prussian power under the Hohenzollerns, Berlin grew into the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia in the 18th century. Today, Berlin’s historical legacy lives on in the bustling, modern metropolis.

What to do:
  • Take a walk through time on the Unter den Linden, a grand, historical boulevard. Spot Prussian-era landmarks such as the Berlin State Opera, Humboldt University and Kaiser Wilhelm Palace. 
  • Spend a day exploring the five museums that make up Museum Island, where Prussian royal patronage curated art and sculpture collections that span the history of humankind – from August Rodin’s the Thinker to works by French Impressionist painters such as Monet. 
  • The Brandenburg Gate is likely Berlin's most recognisable landmark. This towering royal city gate stands today as an enduring emblem of the Prussian Empire.
Suggested route
  • From: Berlin Hauptbahnhof
  • To: Potsdam Hauptbahnhof
  • Average travel time: 0h 28m
  • Transfers: 0
  • Seat reservations: Not required
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View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
The vibrant, decorated yellow facade of Sanssouci Palace

The vibrant, decorated yellow facade of Sanssouci Palace

Potsdam, Germany

Why it's worth visiting:

Once a summer retreat for Prussian kings, Potsdam captivates visitors with its tranquil lakes, landscaped parks and opulent palaces.

What to do:
  • Tour Sanssouci Palace, Frederick the Great’s summer residence, and its terraced vineyards and lush gardens with more than 230,000 plants. 
  • Awaken your inner art historian with a visit to the Picture Gallery at Sanssouci. A gilded masterpiece, the gallery houses more than 140 paintings from painters including Caravaggio and Peter Paul Rubens. 
  • Head to the Dutch Quarter (Holländisches Viertel), a neighbourhood with red-brick homes that underscores Frederick William I’s admiration of the Netherlands. Grab a coffee and a poffertje at one of the cafés offering Dutch-style treats.
Suggested route
  • From: Potsdam Hauptbahnhof
  • To: Wrocław Glowny station
  • Average travel time: 4h 50m
  • Transfers: 1
  • Seat reservations: Required
tip-image
View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
Wrocław's Ostrów Tumski and cobblestone street on a sunny afternoon

Wrocław's Ostrów Tumski with its cobblestone street on a sunny afternoon

Wrocław, Poland

Why it's worth visiting:

Formerly known as Breslau, Wrocław is known for its Gothic architecture, quaint canals and indelible Prussian history.

What to do:
  • Home to one of Europe’s largest market squares, Wrocław’s Old Town (Rynek) includes a stunning Gothic Old Town Hall, with an intricate red brick facade, green roof and spires reaching up into the sky. 
  • The city’s oldest quarter, Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island), invites you to wander its cobblestone streets, admire its old churches and watch lamplighters illuminate the gas lamps at dusk – a tradition believed to have been started in the 19th century. 
  • Uncover Prussian history at the Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia), a 20th-century modern architectural gem. Hunger Games fans: you might recognize this hall as the setting of the Cornucopia in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Suggested route
  • From: Wrocław Glowny station 
  • To: Gdańsk Glowny station 
  • Average travel time: 4h 17m
  • Transfers: 0
  • Seat reservations: Not required
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View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
The Green Gate in Gdańsk as viewed from the River Motława

The Green Gate in Gdańsk as viewed from the River Motława

Gdańsk, Poland

Why it's worth visiting:

In the Middle Ages, Gdańsk was a pivotal port town in the Hanseatic alliance of German merchant guilds, later integrated into Prussia. Today, a walk through Gdańsk reveals a tapestry of time-honoured maritime traditions and grand architecture.

What to do:
  • Walk along Długi Targ (Long Market), where ornate merchant houses and the Neptune Fountain, an ode to the Roman God of the sea, recall the city’s maritime prosperity. 
  • Cross under the Green Gate, a former fortress gateway, as you make your way towards the Długi Targ. Once built as a royal residence for Polish kings, the gateway now houses Gdańsk’s National Museum. 
  • Explore the city’s maritime history with a visit to the Gdańsk Crane (Żuraw), a port crane that now houses a branch of the National Maritime Museum. This medieval engineering marvel used human-powered wooden treadwheels balanced on two brick towers to lift up to 4 tonnes of weight.
Suggested route
  • From: Gdańsk Glowny station 
  • To: Malbork station
  • Average travel time: 0h 36m
  • Transfers: 0
  • Seat reservations: Not required
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View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
The majestic red brick Malbork Castle by the Nogat River

The majestic red-brick Malbork Castle by the Nogat River

Malbork, Poland

Why it's worth visiting:

Once ruled by the Teutonic Knights before joining the Kingdom of Prussia, Malbork is home to the world’s largest brick fortress, safeguarding centuries of medieval history behind its walls.

What to do:
  • Step inside Malbork Castle (Zamek w Malborku), an impressive red-hued fortress comprising three separate castles and spanning 21-hectares. This is roughly the size of 68 Olympic-sized swimming pools! 
  • Learn about the Teutonic religious order and its role in shaping the historical region of Prussia at the Malbork Castle Museum. Exhibitions at the museum showcase the medieval architectural elements found in the castle’s restoration and documentation about the Kingdom of Prussia. 
  • Afterwards, catch a sunset at the Nogat River waterfront next to the castle, where scenic views evoke a bygone era of knights who once traversed these waters.
Suggested route
  • From: Malbork station
  • To: Elbląg station
  • Average travel time: 0h 20m
  • Transfers: 0
  • Seat reservations: Not required
tip-image
View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
A boat being carried up in the Elbląg Canal

A boat on a carriage in the Elbląg Canal

Elbląg, Poland

Why it's worth visiting:

Calling all nature enthusiasts! A green haven, Elbląg’s charm abounds with nature reserves, forest hiking trails, a ski mountain slope and local wildlife.

What to do:
  • Explore Elbląg’s Old Town, the majority of which was carefully rebuilt after the Second World War with historically-inspired building facades. 
  • Go for a hike, choosing one of the many marked trails at Bażantarnia forest. Keep an eye out – you might chance upon a roe deer in the woods or sight a golden oriole perched high up in the branches. 
  • Unwind with a boat ride in the Elbląg Canal as you listen to the stories of this 19th-century Prussian engineering creation. This unique system of tracks and cables carries boats across lakes at different elevation levels.
Suggested route
  • From: Elbląg station
  • To: Toruń Główny station
  • Average travel time: 3h 04m
  • Transfers: 1
  • Seat reservations: Not required
tip-image
View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
The medieval Teutonic Castle Ruins in Toruń

The medieval Teutonic Castle Ruins in Toruń

Toruń, Poland

Why it's worth visiting:

Once ruled by the Teutonic Order and later part of Prussia, Toruń bears traces of its past in its architecture and heritage. Today, the city blends its Gothic allure with Polish cultural influences such as the renowned cinematography festival Camerimage and the region’s signature gingerbread.

What to do:
  • See Toruń’s Teutonic Castle Ruins, the remains of a 13th-century fortress, a striking reminder of the city’s medieval history. 
  • A treasure trove of stunning Gothic architecture, Toruń’s Old Town is filled with the inviting aroma of warm, spiced gingerbread. Visit the Żywe Muzeum Piernika to uncover the secrets behind this beloved treat and try your hand at making your own. 
  • Journey through the stars with a visit to the Nicolaus Copernicus Monument and the House of Copernicus. This historic home-turned-museum honours the astronomer’s pioneering work.
Suggested route
  • From: Toruń Główny station
  • To: Poznań Główny station
  • Average travel time: 1h 27m
  • Transfers: 0
  • Seat reservations: Not required
tip-image
View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
Poznan's colourful Old Market Square

Poznan's colourful Old Market Square

Poznań, Poland

Why it's worth visiting:

From a modern cultural centre within a former Prussian castle to an Old Town that reflects the city’s medieval layout, Poznań is home to sites that nod to the city’s Polish heritage and enduring Prussian influences.

What to do:
  • One of Poland’s most picturesque squares, the Old Market Square (Stary Rynek) is famed for its multicoloured merchant houses, historic tenements-turned-eateries, and the Renaissance-style Town Hall. Bonus tip: stick around at noon to see the city’s two favourite goats atop the Town Hall tower. 
  • Master the art of baking the iconic St Martin’s croissant (rogale świętomarcińskie) at the Poznań Croissant Museum. Dive into the history of this sweet, white-poppy-seed-filled pastry, adored by both locals and travellers. 
  • On a sunny day, picnic in the Citadel Park (Park Cytadela), a former 19th-century Prussian fortification reborn as a peaceful green oasis. Stroll past remnants of the old fort and admire the monumental bell symbolizing international unity.