Home to Europe’s first free university, Göttingen (pop. 129,000) is a college town to the core. Although the university counts Otto von Bismarck, J.P. Morgan, and the Brothers Grimm among its alumni, Göttingen’s real fame comes from the sciences. Over 40 Nobel laureates have studied or worked here, including Max Planck (the father of quantum mechanics) and Werner Heisenberg (the head of the Nazi atomic bomb project and its alleged saboteur). Completely independent of the German government since its inception, the university has historically taken extreme political positions—far left in 1734, reactionary right in the 1920s, and back again to the left in the 1950s, earning its reputation as a rote Uni (red university).
Public Transportation: Most GöBV buses stop at the central “Markt” in 1 direction and “Kornmarkt” in the other. Single ride good for 1hr., Day tickets (€4) good until buses stop running, usually ...more
The Altstadt, encircled by an ancient wall, is bisected along a north-south axis by Weender Str., which becomes Kornmarkt south of the Markt. At the center are the Altes Rathaus and Wilhelmsplatz, the ...more
Hotel Berliner Hof, Weender Landstr. 43 (☎ 0551 38 33 20; www.berlinerhof.de), Bus #10 from the station (dir.: Herberhausen) to “Auditorium”and walk up Weender Landstr. toward the university. Simply ...more
Göttingen’s freshest produce comes from two markets—one on the square in front of the Rathaus, open in summer (Apr.-Oct. Th 10am-8pm), and the Wochenmarkt, off Hospitalstr. near the Junges Theater ...more
BISMARCK SIGHTS. The Bismarckhäuschen, built into the city wall in 1459, is a tiny stone cottage. Here, the 17-year-old law student Otto von Bismarck took up residence after authorities expelled him ...more
Junges Theater, Hospitalstr. 6 (☎ 0551 49 50 15; www.junges-theater.de), This edgy but top-notch theater presents a new outlook on both classic and innovative works. Box office open Tu-Sa 11am-2pm ...more
University students maintain a traditional hardy pub scene. Check out the bars on Wilhelmsplatz, or along Hospitalstraβe, near the southern edge of the city. Trou, Burgstr. 20 (☎ 0551 439 71; www ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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