Cultural and Travel Guide to Marburg, Germany
Introduction
Marburg is a beautiful middle-sized town in the region of Hesse, Germany.
It is part of the Fairy Tale Route (Deutsche Märchenstraße), and famous for its medieval atmosphere, cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and hilltop castle. It is also a university city packed with students, as it hosts the Philipps-Universität (est. 1527), one of the oldest Protestant universities in the world.
➜ For a complete and more detailed version of this guide, including a curated description of all cultural attractions and landmarks, check this post:
Visit Marburg if you like:
● Brothers Grimm and their fairy tales
● Half-timbered houses and Gothic architecture
● German traditions and medieval history
Must-Sees:
● Landgrafenschloss
● Elizabethkirche
● Oberstadt
How to get to Marburg
LOCATION
Marburg is located approximately in middle Germany, close to a few major cities like Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Cologne.
It is well-connected to the rest of the country and easily reachable by car or train.
BY CAR
● Frankfurt: 1 hour
● Mainz: 1 hour and 20 minutes
● Cologne: 2 hours and 15 minutes
● Düsseldorf: 2 hours and 40 minutes
PARKING YOUR CAR
BY TRAIN
Marburg is excellently served by the Deutsche Bahn, and its main railway station is located in a convenient location to explore the surroundings:
Once you exit the railway station, you are at the doors of the city's Old Town, and very close to one of its main attractions: Elizabethkirche.
Here is how much it will take you to reach Marburg from all major cities around it:
● Frankfurt: 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes (full ticket: 19€)
● Mainz: 2 hours (full ticket: 19€)
● Cologne: 3 hours (full ticket: around 45€)
● Düsseldorf: 3 hours (full ticket: around 30€)
CLOSEST AIRPORTS
The closest and most convenient airport is definitely Frankfurt (FRA) Airport, one of the largest and busiest in Europe.
You'll easily find transfers to/from all over Europe, North America, Asia and more.
Useful Information
How much time to spend in Marburg
One full day
Best moment to visit Marburg
● Late spring and summer
● Late November to December (Christmas Market)
Christmas Market 2024 - Dates
29th November - 24th December
Christmas Market 2024 - Locations
● Marktplatz
● Elizabethkirche
Accessibility Information
▶ Good for kids and families: yes, especially for the Grimm Brothers Fairy Tales content
▶ Good for people with reduced mobility: not always. Marburg is steep and full of narrow streets and staircases. There are lifts and other tools, but the visit may be a bit complicated.
Main Cultural Attractions
Elizabethkirche
Elizabethkirche is the oldest Gothic cathedral in Germany. It was commissioned by the Teutonic Order and built from 1235 to honor the memory of Elizabeth of Thuringia, a powerful Landgravine (Countess) later made a saint.
WHAT TO CHECK
● Sandstone imposing architecture
● Stained-glass windows of the high choir
● St. Elizabeth's mausoleum in the transept
● St. Elisabeth Shrine in the sacristy, a precious golden reliquary
● Landgraves' burials on the right, behind the choir screen
St. Michaels Kapelle
Cemetery chapel annexed to Elizabethkirche. It was originally destined for the pilgrims who came to venerate St. Elizabeth and died in Marburg. The most ancient gravestone you can spot is dated 1556.
Landgrafenschloss (Marburg Castle)
The castle was originally the Landgraves' residence. It was much smaller when first built, then it was expanded and fortified. It was frequently sieged and destroyed, even turned briefly into a prison.
WHAT TO CHECK
● Horse-shoe shaped architecture, civil Gothic style
● Witch tower (aka a gun tower), dated 1478
● Prince Hall with its precious tapestry
● Landgraves' private chapel with original flooring
Old University
Neo-Gothic building, originally a Dominican convent when it was first built in 1291. It later became the first seat of the Philipps-Universität.
➜ You can access the library and book a guided tour.
Botanical Garden
Established in 1879, it provides scientific research support to the university, and 10 hectares / 25 acres of green space to all visitors.
Perfect place if you are looking for great insights about plants, their diversity and history.
Exploring Marburg's Oberstadt (Old Town)
Marktplatz
Marburg's main square, it offers a full view of the city's best half-timbered houses. Check the Rathaus (Town Hall), a nice late Gothic building.
➜ Every Wednesday and Saturday the square bursts with market stalls, and in November-December it hosts the local Christmas Market.
Medieval Synagogue
The synagogue is located in Markt Street, at number 23. When you spot an ancient well and a glass cube, you have arrived.
➜ You can visit the 12th-century remains of the medieval structure with a guided tour (find the link here below).
Steinernes Haus
Gothic sandstone building dating back to the 1310s, and one of the few around which are not half-timbered. Likely the residence of wealthy aristocrats, today it hosts a popular pub (scroll down to find it!)
Kilianskapelle
One of the very first churches in Marburg, built from 1180, then dismissed when Marburg turned Protestant. Today it is a beautiful example of half-stoney, half-timbered architecture.
Lutherische Pfarrkirche
Sometimes called Marienkirche, it was once a Catholic church, commissioned by the Teutonic Order. Today, it is the main Protestant temple in Marburg, with a nice and luminous interior.
Kugelkirche
Founded in 1476, Kugelkirche has a peculiar round-shape (as its name goes) and is the main Catholic temple in Marburg.
Brothers Grimm in Marburg
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm are the brothers who wrote the fairly tales we all loved (and still love?) as children: Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel and many more.
They both studied at Philipps University in Marburg: Jacob from 1802 to 1805, Wilhelm from 1803 to 1806.
Many places around the city help us revive the atmosphere of their iconic fairy tales, and that of the period they lived in:
Jacob Grimm's House
At Barfüßerstraße 35 you can see where Jacob Grimm lived in the years 1802-05. He only rented a small room and carried on not without some financial constraints.
The house is entirely half-timbered and was first built more than 400 years ago.
Wendelgasse
A steep but panoramic path that brings to the Castle - Jacob and Wilhelm likely took it quite often when attending university classes.
The best route if you plan to reach the Castle.
Fairy Tale Statues
All around Marburg's Oberstadt are more than ten statues dedicated to a famous character or object coming straight from Brothers Grimm's most beloved fairy tales.
▶ Here below are two examples (pinned on the map):
▶ And here is a map to check them all:
Discover More
Find more information and details about Marburg's historic attractions and additional content on the blog:
Just Outside Marburg
Spiegelslustturm
A symbol of the Romantic Era (first half of the 19th century) and of the impact it had on Marburg. The city was heavily modified in those decades to fit a patriotic and nostalgic idea of the Middle Ages.
Built between 1887 and 1890 to offer a complete view of Marburg and its Old Town, today it hosts a restaurant/café (scroll down to know more).
Eat and Drink in Marburg
Restaurants
A selection of restaurants where you can taste the local cuisine. Options for every budget.
Cafés and Pubs
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