Marburg
Marburg is a small university town north of Frankfurt in the Lahn valley. It was almost untouched by bombs during WWII. The old city("Oberstadt", upper city) is a labyrinth of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with extremely well-preserved examples of 17th and 18th century "Hessische" architecture. Hearing nearby church bells toll while walking through this part of Marburg is a life changing experience. This is the Germany you expect from the tour books and here you can enjoy it free from the crowds of tourists.
The Philipps Universität (founded 1527) is the oldest Protestant university in the world. Marburg has approximately 86,000 residents. With 20,000 students and 6,000 people working for the university, the slogan of Marburg is: "Other cities may have a university, Marburg is a university."
Understand
- 1 Tourist Information Marburg, Pilgrimstein 26, ☏ +49 6421 - 99 12-0, tourismus@siegburg.de. Monday - Fryday: 13.00 - 17.00, Saturday: 14.00 - 18.00, Sunday 13.00 - 17.00.
Get in
By train
Regular services go to Frankfurt and Kassel and from both cities you have extensive connections on the German InterCity train network (IC).
By plane
Marburg has no airport so head for Frankfurt/Main, Germany's busiest airport.
By car
One of the few German cities not directly connected by the Autobahn, but as you are in Germany there are good alternatives... From Frankfurt take the Autobahn to Giessen and than the Bundesstrasse 3 to Marburg.
Get around
As a small town it`s best explored on foot. Other possibilities include the public bus services a bicycle. To reach the "Oberstadt" you can use one of the two lifts, which make it accessible for the disabled. If you need, ask the inhabitants: most people are very friendly and will go out of their way to point out the sights.
Talk
In Marburg many European and other languages are widely spoken. For example it is possible to find those who will understand a little Japanese or Mandarin. English is never a problem, even children may speak a little English. The people in Marburg are very friendly and when you ask friendly you can get sometimes special tips you can never find in a guide.
See
Stroll around the old city and enjoy the medieval atmosphere in combination with the spirit of an university town. Visit the Elisabeth-Church, Germany's oldest Gothic church, and the old castle at top of the "Oberstadt". Also worth seeing are the old university building, the city hall, and Weidenhausen (the old part of the town on the other side of the river Lahn).
- 1 Marburg castle (Landgrafen Palace).
- 2 St. Elisabeth's Church.
- 3 Historical town hall.
Do
Take a romantic pedal boat trip on the river Lahn, which starts from the bridge opposite to the old university building. Take a hike up to the Spiegelslustturm and enjoy a wonderful view over Marburg at night. There is an exhibition on the culture and history of Hesse in the old castle and also guided tours through the "Kasematten", the cellars of the castle. Consult the tourist information office for details.
There is the aquamar, a relatively new swimming pool with a spa area.
If you are looking for culture, art and a special place to enjoy a glass of wine, visit the Kulturzentrum Waggonhalle, right behind the train station. Placed in the historic wagon halls, you will find art exhibitions, theater, concerts, flea markets, cabaret and much more. The Rotkehlchen Cafe/Restaurant serves great affordable food, tasty cakes, and offers outside seating.
- 1 Spiegelslustturm (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Turm), Hermann-Bauer-Weg 2.
The Marburg Mercenaries play first division (GFL Süd) American Football. The season runs roughly April-September with Playoffs in late September to October.
Buy
Eat
The city caters for the needs of more than 18,000 students so it is not difficult to find a nice cafe or pub. Most of the good pubs are located in the Oberstadt. Be aware that during the university terms they are sometimes crowded.
Next to the lower level of the lift (Oberstadtaufzug) in the middle of Marburg you will find numerous restaurants, great Doner and a very good Lebanese Imbiss.
If you arrive at the train station and like to eat Asian food just walk straight away from the train station and cross the river bridge behind the highway. On the right side is a small, but good place for Asian food.
- 1 Leppers Imbiss, Biegenstrasse 8. For the best fries in town and original Currywurst
- 2 Mensa on the Erlenring. If you want to meet students then the Mensa on the Erlenring is very good, you can eat there as a guest, and the food is of good quality and affordable.
- 3 Cafe am Grün (next to the Red Star Bookstore). It's one of the most alternative cafes in Marburg and also a good place to go with children. In summer you can sit in their back garden right at the Lahn river.
- 4 Ratsschänke, Markt 3 (directly next to the historic town hall). traditional German food
The area in the historic center around the Marktplatz and Barfuesserstrasse is full of good, affordable restaurants for all tastes, many with outside seating. Most restaurants in the Oberstadt offer breakfasts or brunches, and pretty much all of them will have many vegetarian options.
- 5 Kostbar, Barfuesserstrasse 7 (entrance of the Oberstadt). offers a great variety of healthy and delicious foods.
- Cafe Barfuss, Barfuesserstrasse 33. is a classic.
If you have a sweet tooth, definitely check out:
- 6 Cafe/Konditorei Vetter, Reitgasse 4. Make sure to try the Sacher Torte
- 7 Cafe/Konditorei Klingelhoefer, Haspelstraße 21. if you like Marzipan don't miss the Wiesbadner
If you want to take something home for your loved ones, their Pralines, Marzipan animals and sweets always make a beautiful gift for family. If you come around Easter, check out Vetter's Easter eggs with individual names written on them.
Drink
There are too many pubs and bars to list them all, but if you are in Marburg and everything is closed because its already 3 or 4 o´clock in the morning you have to go to the bolschoi pub! It is near the Elisabeth Church and the place to be in the later night! If you are looking for some true Marburg experience, check out the Delirium mit Frazzkeller (Steinweg 3), a 2 floor bar with true Marburg characters and smoking downstairs. Try the Roter Korn. If you like live music, sip a glass of wine to some jazzy band at the Jazzclub Cavete (right across Deli/Frazzkeller).
Sleep
- 1 Youth hostel, Jahnstr. 1, ☏ +49 6421 23461. The youth hostel is located in walking distance from the city center
- 2 Welcome Hotel, Pilgrimstein 29.
- 3 Villa Vita Rosenpark Hotel, Anneliese Pohl Allee 7-17.
Go next
Take a train in the direction of Kassel to Kirchhain, a lovely small German town with interesting large markets like the New Years Market or the Martins market.
You can also take a trip to the Amöneburg, an old fortress 15 km east of Marburg, or to castle Rauischholzhausen, a traditional castle with a nice park.
You can also go for longer hikes in the surrounding hills and the picturesque forests.