Discover Göttingen between its Old Town and nature
Accommodation in Göttingen
Göttingen combines a historic city centre with university heritage and green destinations for excursions. At the market square, you’ll find the Old Town Hall and the Gänseliesel statue; at Lake Kiessee, in the Botanical Garden and on Hainberg Hill, other experiences take centre stage. You can tailor your stay to your interests, whether that means exploring the city and its culture, or going for walks and spending time by the water.
Market Square and University History
The Old Town Hall and the market square in front of it form the heart of Göttingen. The Gänseliesel statue, the city’s unofficial landmark, has stood in front of the town hall since 1901. The fountain no longer holds the original statue. The market square is therefore a natural starting point for taking in Göttingen’s famous figure and historic city centre together.
The University Assembly Hall stands on Wilhelmsplatz. Built between 1835 and 1837 in the Neoclassical style, it remains a central building of the University of Göttingen, also known as the Georg-August-Universität. The building is also home to the historic Karzer, the former university prison. The walls of its individual cells are covered with chalk and charcoal drawings made by student offenders in the past. The assembly hall thus brings together Neoclassical architecture and an unusual facet of university history.
Research at Forum Wissen
Forum Wissen on the Göttingen Campus explores scientific collections. Its permanent exhibition features more than 1,400 objects from over 70 university collections. The specific selection of objects on display may change over time. The exhibition is complemented by changing special exhibitions on current research topics from the Göttingen Campus. If you’re interested in a particular subject, it may be helpful to check the current exhibition programme before your visit.
Gardens, Lakeside Path and City Forest
The Old Botanical Garden is located in central Göttingen. Albrecht von Haller established it as a medicinal garden in 1736; today, it’s a green oasis where you can take a break while exploring the city. The greenhouses showcase native plants as well as a wide variety of exotic species. The garden and greenhouses offer different perspectives, from the historic grounds to the diversity of the plant world.
A lakeside path about 2.5 kilometres long runs along Lake Kiessee in Göttingen. Walkers, recreational athletes and people out for a picnic use it year-round. Rowing boats and pedal boats also offer a chance to explore the lake from the water. If you’re planning to rent a boat, check in advance whether rentals are currently available.
The city ramparts also offer a green perspective on Göttingen. Once part of the city’s fortifications, they now form a green promenade around the Old Town. The city forest on Hainberg Hill offers more opportunities for walks, hikes and cycling. The lake, ramparts and forest each provide a different way to spend time outdoors, while the market square and assembly hall are more closely associated with the city’s history.
Walking Tours and Finding the Right Location
The “Around the Gänseliesel” city tour offers additional information about Göttingen’s sights and can be booked at the Tourist Information Centre or online. The centre also offers weekly changing walking tours on a variety of topics. Tours, dates and booking options may change, so check the details before making plans.
Weender Straße is also worth exploring to get your bearings in the city centre: it’s Göttingen’s longest shopping and pedestrian street. Many sights in the city centre are within walking distance of the train station or hotels in the Old Town. If you’re more interested in nature, Lake Kiessee, the Botanical Garden and Hainberg Hill offer different starting points for planning your day.
Discover more destinations: Rosdorf, Seeburg, Gieboldehausen, Friedland, Bovenden, Hannoversch Münden, Dankelshausen.
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