Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Göttingen, Germany

Located in southern Lower Saxony, Göttingen is a university city nestled in the Leine Valley. The city’s vibrant atmosphere is largely influenced by the presence of the University of Göttingen, which was established in 1734 by King George II of England and Elector of Hanover, making it the oldest university in Lower Saxony.

With approximately one in five residents being students, many of Göttingen’s noteworthy attractions are closely connected to the university. These include the botanical garden founded by the illustrious anatomist Albrecht von Haller, as well as the pioneering geophysics institute established by Emil Wiechert. Additionally, unique sights such as the statue that students kiss upon earning their doctorates and the small house where Otto von Bismarck resided during his academic days are prevalent throughout the city.

Here is a detailed exploration of the top attractions in Göttingen:

1. Gänseliesel

Situated in Göttingen’s central marketplace in front of the historic town hall, the Gänseliesel statue and fountain has graced the area since 1901. The statue, which features a girl carrying geese—one in a basket and the other in her hand—commands attention under a beautifully crafted wrought iron canopy.

What renders the Gänseliesel a significant landmark is its associated tradition. Upon its completion, University of Göttingen students began the practice of kissing the statue to commemorate the awarding of their doctorates, traditionally placing a flower in the girl’s basket as part of the ceremony. Despite attempts by the town to prohibit this practice in 1926, students continue to celebrate their achievements in this cherished manner.

2. Altes Rathaus

The old town hall of Göttingen, originally constructed in 1270, served as the city’s administrative hub for over seven centuries. Since 1978, it has housed Göttingen’s tourist office, while its stunning main hall is often rented for weddings.

The facade, characterized by its merlons and turret, provides a striking military impression from the square in front. Visitors are welcome to explore the main hall, where the wooden beams date back to the early 1400s, and the Romantic-style frescoes by Hermann Schaper were painted in the 1880s, depicting everyday life in Renaissance Göttingen.

3. St. Jacobi

St. Jacobi is a Gothic hall church with three naves, construction of which began in 1361 and was completed by 1433. Towering at 72 meters, the church features a white Baroque dome that marks it as the tallest structure in the old town. Visitors can ascend the tower for a nominal fee.

However, the true allure lies within the central nave and choir. Noteworthy is the Gothic winged altarpiece from 1402, which narrates the life of James, the son of Zebedee, and opens to reveal 16 scenes depicting events from the life and passion of Christ. The church’s pillars are also adorned with unique geometric red patterns from the Renaissance period, newly discovered during restoration efforts.

4. Old Botanical Garden of Göttingen University

Spanning 4.5 hectares on the northern edge of Göttingen’s former defensive wall, the Old Botanical Garden, established in 1736, is meticulously maintained by the university. Founded by the renowned Swiss anatomist and naturalist Albrecht von Haller, the garden was originally planted with medicinal species.

Today, it ranks among Germany’s largest and most significant scientific plant collections, boasting over 14,000 species within eight greenhouses and outdoor spaces. Tunnels connect various sections of the garden, and the greenhouses house diverse plant families, including cacti, bromeliads, ferns, carnivorous plants, orchids, succulents, and tropical water plants.

5. Kunstsammlung der Universität Göttingen

The art collection at the University of Göttingen has its origins dating back to the very founding decade of the institution. The first significant donation was made in 1736 by Frankfurt’s Mayor, Johann Friedrich Hermann von Uffenbach, and subsequent acquisitions have enhanced the collection substantially, making it a noteworthy highlight of Göttingen.

Currently, the museum houses approximately 300 paintings, 100 sculptures, 2,500 drawings, and 15,000 prints. Among the illustrious artists represented are Rembrandt, Albrecht Dürer, Botticelli, Hans von Aachen, Goya, Lovis Corinth, Max Beckmann, and Emil Nolde.

6. Plesse Castle

Located just 10 minutes north of Göttingen, Plesse Castle, constructed in the 12th century, served as the seat of the Lords of Plesse. Following the extinction of this line in the 16th century, the castle and its lands were transferred to the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel.

After suffering damage during a siege in the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, the castle lay in ruins for two centuries until restoration efforts were undertaken in the early 19th century. Today, visitors may explore the site, enjoy the scenic views, dine at the on-site restaurant, or attend concerts or plays during the summer months.

7. Wilhelm-Busch-Mühle

Renowned 19th-century humorist and illustrator Wilhelm Busch spent his formative years at this historic water mill situated in picturesque countryside east of Göttingen. He relocated to the city at the age of nine and formed a friendship with the miller’s son, Erich Bachmann.

The 18th-century mill has been restored to operate as a museum since 1977, complete with its grinding mechanism. Busch’s adventures with Bachmann inspired characters in his works, such as Max and Moritz, and there are subtle references to them throughout the mill.

8. Bismarckturm

The notable German military commander and chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, studied law at the University of Göttingen between 1832 and 1833. In recognition of his contributions, a tower was erected 60 years later. Unlike many memorial towers honoring Bismarck throughout Germany, this particular tower was initiated during his lifetime and named with his consent.

The construction began in 1892 and concluded in 1898, the same year Bismarck passed away. This medieval-style structure consists of two adjoining towers: one hexagonal and the other circular. Ascend to the viewing platforms at heights of 20 and 30 meters to enjoy panoramic views of the Göttinger Wald and the Harz mountains to the north.

9. Wiechert’sche Erdbebenwarte

Located on the eastern slope of Hainberg Hill, the Wiechert seismic institute was founded by physicist and geophysicist Emil Wiechert. Established in 1902, the institute played a pivotal role in pioneering modern seismology by housing several seismographs recognized as the first in their field and serving as models for subsequent developments.

Remarkably, some of these seismographs have been operational for over a century, enabling the institute to directly compare seismic events such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake with contemporary data. Visitors can also explore engaging exhibits, including a four-ton steel ball used to simulate earthquake activity.

10. Half-timbered Houses

Much of Göttingen’s medieval and Renaissance architecture either survived World War II largely unscathed or underwent swift restoration post-war. The Junkernschänke, located at Barfüßerstraße 5, stands out as a picturesque example of an old wine tavern from the mid-1400s.

Notably, the Gothic house at Rote Strasse 25 dates back to 1273, rendering it one of Germany’s oldest half-timbered structures. Additionally, the Ratsapotheke pharmacy, established in 1332 at the corner of Weenderstraße and Barfüßerstraße, and the Schwarzer Bär, a Renaissance tavern operating under the same name since 1637 until 2011, are also worthy of admiration.

11. Studentenkarzer der Universität Göttingen

Located behind the west wing of the university’s Aula building at Wilhelmsplatz 1, the Studentenkarzer is recognized as one of the country’s best-preserved student jails. Functioning from the unveiling of the Aula building in 1837 until 1933, the facility’s walls display evidence of the students’ carefree spirit through extensive graffiti.

Scratched into nearly every available surface are messages and drawings created with charcoal and chalk, reflecting the lighthearted attitude of students who found themselves incarcerated for offenses such as public drunkenness, insubordination, or disturbing the peace at night.

12. Ethnologische Sammlung der Universität Göttingen

The university’s ethnological museum showcases an extraordinary collection stemming from 18th-century expeditions. This includes the Cook-Forster collection, which features liturgical artifacts, weaponry, and tools sourced from New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawaii during the voyages of James Cook and Johann Reinhold Forster from 1772 to 1775. Additionally, the museum exhibits the Baron von Asch collection, which comprises human artifacts from Siberia and the North Pole, gathered in the early 1800s.

13. Städtisches Museum Göttingen

Göttingen’s last remaining noble residence serves as a museum dedicated to the city’s history. This half-timbered Renaissance palace was constructed for Johann von Jagemann, the chancellor of Braunschweig, and the museum additionally occupies the adjacent old post office building, also built in the half-timbered style.

As of the latest update, the museum is undergoing renovations, yet visitors can still view various examples of religious art, including Romanesque sculptures and illuminated manuscripts. In addition, temporary exhibitions are regularly hosted; for example, a notable exhibition in 2017 focused on the Reformation as it unfolded in Göttingen during the 1520s and 1530s.

14. Paulinerkirche

The Paulinerkirche is striking from the outside and even more remarkable within. This 50-meter-long church, which has been deconsecrated, now functions as a library and lecture hall for the university. Originally founded in 1304 as a Gothic hall church dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, it became a significant pilgrimage site owing to its possession of the relics of Saint Thomas Aquinas from 1341 onward.

The university itself was inaugurated within this church in the 18th century, and it served as a library starting in the 1730s. Due to the library’s rapid expansion, it eventually transformed into a dedicated library hall by 1803.

15. Bismarckhäuschen

During his studies at the University of Göttingen, Otto von Bismarck resided in a quaint house located along the city’s southern wall. Constructed in 1447, this polygonal tower served as a gun position for the fortifications protecting the Leine Canal, which was essential for powering the city’s mills.

In the early 19th century, it was refurbished into a residence within the surrounding “Oeconomischen Garten” and subsequently rented to students. Bismarck called this house home from spring to autumn in 1833, and today, it features a small exhibition dedicated to his life and time in Göttingen. Bismarckhäuschen operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.