Sophie Scholl was 21, a leader of The White Rose, a non-violent resistance group of Munich University students, and one of many Germans who did not support the Nazi regime. In February 1943 she was executed for treason, together with her brother Hans and their friend Christoph Probst.

Cologne Cathedral took over 600 years to complete. Construction began when the city was part of the Holy Roman Empire but was not finished until 1880, in a newly United Germany with Wilhelm I as its first Emperor. A stunning building it is one of the country's most important monuments.

It is a quirky way of trying to tell the future, melting a heavy metal, dropping it into water and divining the future from the shape it makes. Originating in antiquity "lead pouring" remains a favorite amongst the many German New Year traditions, but there is an "eco-friendly" version.

It makes delicious spicy ginger cookies, Valentines Day or Oktoberfest Hearts, perhaps a Witches Cottage, Gingerbread Men, Christmas decorations, even a Lantern which gives both light and aroma, but whatever you create with this German Lebkuchen, Gingerbread, recipe it will always be delicious.

Potato salads have become a favorite throughout Europe but "Warm Potato Salads" originated in Germany, where they have been a popular staple of the country’s cuisine for centuries.

Speculaas were a special Christmas cookie, but now both they and the paste, a popular alternative to peanut butter and chocolate spread with the German young, and not so young, are year round favorites. Here are recipes for a quick and easy Cookie, Spread and 'Ready To Use' Spice Mix.

Speculaas are spiced caramelized cookies found everywhere in Germany, from accompanying that 'cup of coffee' at the hair stylists to a pavement café. But they have been part of St. Nicholas and Christmas holiday traditions for centuries, long before they became known as the less spicey 'Biscoff'

It is a delicious creamy calorie bomb, and a North and East Friesland specialty. Friesentorte the 'special occasion' Frisian cream cake that accompanies a Friesentee, (Frisian tea), Ceremony on Sundays and celebrations. Or just because you feel like it.

Across Germany coffee is more popular than beer, except for the coastal marshlands and islands of East Friesland in northwest of Germany. There the number one beverage is tea, a Frisian Blend with a special tea ceremony, and anyone who prefers coffee is known as a 'Koffjenoese', a coffee nose.

There was no history of immigration in Germany when the first Turkish ‘guest workers’ arrived, cheap labor to fuel the country’s ‘Economic Miracle’. Not expected to stay, fifty years later Turkish Germans have powered German industry, settled in its cities and their influence is everywhere.