With German election coverage in full swing, it's all too easy for British journalists to revert to easy national stereotypes. But, as you have been keen to show us, Germany is not just a country of Bratwurst and Lederhosen. We asked you to show us the 'other' Germany – beautiful, surprising and alternative – and this is a selection of your pictures.
Many of your photos offered a welcome reminder of just how beautiful Germany's countryside can be.
Tranquil lake above Titisee
Away from the crowds at the popular Titisee lakeside resort, we found this tranquil spot with only some ducks for company.
my last summer holidays
the imposing Watzmann overlooking the village of Berchtesgaden
It also struck us how many of your photos showed something old being repurposed as something new, whether in the name of art or pragmatism.
Am Alten Schlachthof, Berlin, Friedrichshain
A little park for families where once was a slaughterhouse.
Himmelstreppe - Stairway to Heaven
Halde Rheinelbe - one of many sculptures on the tops of former landfill sites. Using art to give these former lost places a new identity.
Ten tons of old Darmstadt friges
An igloo created by artist Ralf Schmerberg from 322 decommissioned fridges. The artwork is 5.5 meters high, 9.8 meters wide and weighs over 10 tons. The inside of the structure houses a temporary exhibition on energy conservation. A remarkable and unexpected beast in the centre of Darmstadt a couple of years ago.
Even old Trabis refuse to die.
Trabant
Good old fashion Trabant in Berlin , November 2012
Good to see that artistic sensibilities are alive and kicking in the land of Dürer and Ernst.
Black and White Beggar
Is he an artist? Or just an imaginative beggar?
Darmstadt Sunset
Sun setting in the Rheinstrasse, Darmstadt. This is normally a fairly grim vista, but not in mid-October at 17:54.
Meanwhile who knew that you can claim deckchairs in Juist
Juist
Beach chairs, island Juist, North Sea
that you can surf in Munich
Surfers right in the centre of Munich
Eisbach, a stretch of the river Isar where you can surf (or watch) - better than the Oktoberfest ;)
and that karaoke is this popular in Berlin.
An enthusiastic crowd cheers on a karaoke singer in Mauer Park, Berlin
Large crowds gather every sunday in Mauer Park in Prenzlauer Berg during summertime to witness the legendary karaoke competition in action.
One Guardian reader nanesteinhoff introduced us to the popular German drinking game 'flunkyball', which seems to be a bit like skittles, but with fewer skittles, and more beer.
Team A throws something at a target – if it hits it, they all drink as much as they can before team B sets the target upright again. First team to finish their drinks wins. This blog post explains it better.
Flunkyball
A group of people playing Germany's "Flunkyball" at Hurricane Festival near Bremen
And finally, on a more sombre note, some of our readers shared pictures of the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.
Holocaust Memorial, Berlin
Panorama shot of the amazing Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.
