Located between Harz and Weser, Göttingen is the economical and cultural centre of southern Niedersachsen. The historical old part of town, the medieval city hall, churches, half timbered houses and city cafés invite you for a stroll, a visit and a rest. The rich cultural life with its theatres, orchestras, museums and festivals is known far over the city’s border. As a city of university and a city of science with an excellent infrastructure and location, Göttingen hosts many meetings and congresses. City travellers appreciate the city for the open atmosphere in the rather small metropolis where many students and international guests emboss the streetscape.
Gänseliesel - the most kissed girl of the world
Modest and graceful is the „Gänseliesel“ smiling in front of the market’s fountain. As the most kissed girl of the world it has written history already for a long time. Every doctorand who passed his exam has to kiss it. Students took the freedom of doing that very soon after the figure was first put up in 1901. Göttingen’s strict councillors scented a decay of the morals and issued a prohibition to kiss in 1926 which is still existent today. Nevertheless was and is the figure still kissed to the joy of the citizens and tourists.
University of Göttingen
Göttingen has worldwide reputation. That sounds immodest on first sight is still a matter of fact: Wherever in Europe’s scientific centres but also in America and Asia the conversation come to the University of Göttingen you will get a approving or at least knowing nod. As a rather small metropolis, Göttingen has been hosting an important and charismatically research centre for more than 260 years. Therefore people have been authorized since many years not to speak of a city with a university but of a university with a city.
Luisenhall - Last Producing Pan Salt Works of Europe
The salt works is the only one in Europe which still carries the salt with traditional technique out of 460 meters under the ground to bright daylight. The salt work was found in 1854. Ever since then Luisenhall’s salt of any kind is produced without any chemical additions. The natural brine gets heated in pans until the desired salt crystals are left behind. The 150 years old as historical monument classified frameworks can be visited under guided tours.
The international 'Händel Festivals'
Göttingen’s art historian Oskar Hagen was also a big friend of music. In 1919 he played out of Händels’ operas which were forgotten since more than 160 years. He had the idea to make this opera live. Together with friends he managed to produce the opera „Rodelinda“ in 1920. This production was the beginning of what became Göttingen’s Händel Festivals. Those have been for years an internationally recognized forum for dealing with Händel’s music. Great directors, producers, singers, musicians and artists set new accents every year. Together with a vivid and critical audience they discover Händel in a new way over and over again.
In the historic city centre most of the attractions can easily be reached on foot. After the sightseeing, experience one of the numerous events and enjoy a meal in a traditional restaurant. The GÖ-Card gives you many reductions all over the city.
We offer arrangements for a day (from 13 € per person) or for a weekend, e.g. 2 nights wih breakfast, GÖ-Card, guided tour of the city, three course meal, info file, from € 99,00 per person
Highlights
International Handel festival
Jazz festival
Literary autumn
The Luisenhall saltworks – Europe’s only salt boilery
GÖ-Card with lots of reductions
Wilhelm-Busch mill / European bread museum Ebergötzen
Göttingen - a town that has a great deal to offer. Take a moment to make an interactive visit to one of the following sights: the "Altes Rathaus" (Old Town Hall), old University library, Auditorium, Aula (University meeting hall), "Barfüßerstrasse", "Jakobi Kirche", "Lieselbrunnen", "Rhons Badehaus", "St. Albani", "St. Johannis", Stadtmuseum (Municipal Museum), Theaterplatz. Java/JavaScript will have to be activated in your browser for this purpose.