Holiday in Göttingen

About Göttingen

Göttingen is the city of science par excellence — no other German city has produced as many Nobel laureates relative to its size. Over 45 Nobel Prizes are associated with the Georg-August University, including Max Planck (Physics), Werner Heisenberg (Physics), and Max Born (Physics). Founded in 1737, the university continues to shape the city today: about a quarter of the residents are students. The Gänseliesel in the marketplace in front of the Old Town Hall is the most kissed statue in the world — every newly minted doctor of the university climbs the fountain and kisses the goose girl after their promotion. This centuries-old ritual has long become the landmark of Göttingen. The brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm taught in Göttingen and were part of the 'Göttingen Seven' — seven professors who protested against the abolition of the constitution by the King of Hanover in 1837 and were subsequently dismissed from their positions. This act of civil resistance has gone down in history as a milestone in German democracy. The old town of Göttingen is remarkably well preserved: half-timbered houses from the 15th to 18th centuries, narrow alleys, and the four old town churches create a cohesive medieval cityscape. The German Theatre Göttingen is one of the most renowned stages in Lower Saxony. Its location on the western edge of the Harz Mountains and in the Leine Valley makes Göttingen an ideal starting point for hikes: The Hainberg, a nature reserve right by the city, and the nearby Göttingen Forest offer relaxation. The city is centrally located on the north-south axis and is excellently connected in terms of transport.