One thing that probably makes the German Autobahns unique is their sections, here and there, without any speed limits. What I believe makes these super-freeways absolutely unique is the presence of about 30 Autobahnkirchen - freeway churches - scattered throughout the country.
Picture it: you pull off the Autobahn at a rest stop, visit the bathroom, buy a few beers and a bottle of wine (yes, they sell such things along most freeways in Europe!), and then drop into the Kirche for a quick prayer or two. Can't say I've ever seen that at home!
While the organ music is not "live" (it's played by a player-piano type of organ keyboard), the priests are. These churches are apparently not really designed primarily for formal services, but rather for a quick, quiet, solitary prayer session. If you've ever driven the Autobahn and foolishly moved into the left lane to pass a truck, then looked in the rear view mirror to see a Porsche flashing its lights at you and approaching your rear bumper at something near Mach 2, only then can you truly appreciate the value of these roadside retreats. Amen.
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