Historic sites abound in the city of Göttingen to remind you of its medieval ancestry. But being a university town that has had the good fortune to host 40 Nobel Prize winners, Göttingen is definitely more than an average U-town. Modern facilities merge happily with old world charm to give you an inspiring outing.
The old city walls have given way to time and wartime destruction, but the remnant that’s left standing is a fine tower that houses the Bismarck Cottage. For fantastic views, all you have to do is climb to the watch tower at the top.
The old town area is where you’ll find the City Museum housed in a gorgeous old building. You’ll certainly be enthralled with the exhibits that range from religious art to porcelain.
The Jakobkirche is a grand old specimen of Gothic religious architecture that will surely leave you impressed. You can climb its immense tower for a fantastic view of the city. The Johanniskirche is another Gothic gem with pointed spires and well worth visiting.
More churches to see would be the St. Mary’s Church with a road passing through its arches and the Pauline Church of the 14th century which is now the University Library. The latter is especially worth visiting for its majestic dignity.
Göttingen’s Marktplatz is certainly a great venue for exploration. The Old Town Hall will easily be the first thing you notice as it stands tall. Pretty half-timbered houses line the area amid other historic buildings.
You can’t fail to notice the beautiful bronze statue of Gänseliesel in the square. Reputed to be the most kissed girl in town, you’ll be amused to hear the local legend attached to this statue. It’s a custom that all doctoral graduates from the University will kiss the cheeks of the figure only subsequent to passing their examination.
In addition to all that history, Göttingen has a variety of outdoor sport facilities to keep you fit and entertained. And cultural shows are aplenty ranging from theater to puppet shows. Large events stir up its significance well beyond the city limits and folks appreciate its convenience by road or train.
Göttingen contains two certified theaters to provide a wide range of mixture to its art lovers. The City Museum organizes enduring and provisional displays of historical and artistic materials. The Altes Rathaus hosts a provisional art show of neighboring, provincial, and international artists.
A trip to the Harz Mountains is highly recommended for an exciting day out, getting your adrenaline pumping like a jet.
Oh, and the Badeparadies Eiswiese, among the biggest public swimming pools in Germany, is a great spot to take a whole day off and enjoy some watery sports.
