Helmstedt: Juleum, University and City History

In the city of Helmstedt, Renaissance and university history meet memories of the former inner German border. The leafy, tree-lined ramparts invite you to stroll through the city centre.

University History at the Juleum

The Academia Julia opened in 1576 with faculties of theology, law, medicine and philosophy, and was one of the first Protestant universities in northern Germany. Its assembly building, the Juleum Novum, was constructed from 1592 to 1597 as a palatial Renaissance building. Here, university history and architecture can be explored through a tangible example.

The Helmstedt District and University Museum displays a model of the city around 1750 and original objects from the university’s era: an astronomical disc, a globe and tableware from the university dining hall. The Juleum’s ground floor houses the Aula, or auditorium maximum. It is used for concerts and lectures, including academic talks as part of the Helmstedt University Days.

Border History and City Towers

In five sections featuring original objects, photographs, models and life-size displays, the Helmstedt Border Zone Museum documents the history of the former inner German border, from its beginnings to reunification. The “Face of the Border” section features an original metal-mesh fence, warning signs, mines, automatic firing devices and an overview model of the border fortifications. Visits and guided tours outside opening hours are possible by prior arrangement; please arrange any such appointment before your trip.

Helmstedt’s city towers also offer different perspectives. The Hausmannsturm is the oldest surviving city gate in the Brunswick region and the only one of Helmstedt’s four original gate towers to remain completely intact. From April to October, the week is sounded out there every Saturday at noon. The climb up the Juleum Tower involves 153 steps and is offered from April to October on the first Saturday of the month between 11 a.m. and noon. Check the dates before your trip.

Walks and Traces of Earlier Times

The ramparts combine leafy, tree-lined paths with a stroll through the centre of Helmstedt. Nearby are the Lübbensteine: prehistoric megalithic tombs built between 3500 and 3000 BC on St. Annenberg, west of Helmstedt. This takes you beyond the city’s architectural and university history to archaeological traces of prehistory.

Within the Wider Helmstedt Destination

Those wishing to explore beyond the city of Helmstedt will find further cultural attractions in the wider Helmstedt destination. In Königslutter, the Imperial Cathedral is one of Lower Saxony’s most impressive Romanesque buildings. Together with the cloister and the Kaiser Lothar Lime Tree in the former monastery grounds, it forms a much-visited attraction. Guided tours at the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments explain how the instruments work; almost all are functional and ready to be demonstrated—a treat for visitors of all ages.

In Schöningen, you can see the Schöningen spears at close quarters in the research museum, near where they were found. They were left there around 300,000 years ago and discovered in 1994; excavations are still taking place at the site. The Schöningen Adventure Trail runs for 2.5 kilometres from Burgplatz to the research museum and features eight stops with large information boards. Another way to get active in the wider destination is to visit Lake Lappwald, a popular destination for cyclists, runners and walkers.

Discover more destinations: Groß Twülpstedt, Velpke, Süpplingenburg, Jerxheim, Schöningen, Räbke, Königslutter Am Elm, Mariental.

To the overview of the wider destination: Helmstedt.