Göttingen's old town charmingly combines the memories of the medieval merchant town (Hanseatic League) and the flair of a modern university town. You can explore numerous sights on a walk through the city center. Not only the Old Market Square with its Gänseliesel characterizes the beautiful cityscape of Göttingen. Historical buildings such as St. John's Church, the old town hall, the German Theater or the Auditorium Maximum can be visited on a walk or on one of the exciting, themed city tours. Film enthusiasts can also follow in Heinz Erhardt's footsteps in Göttingen. Many of his films were shot in the tranquil little town. The popular opening scene from the 1959 film Naturally the Motorists, for example, shows the Weender Tor, an important junction in the Lower Saxony town. In honor of the versatile German artist, a Heinz Erhardt monument was even erected near the city center, which can be visited. Monuments and sculptures can be found throughout Göttingen, as well as the so-called Nobel Rondell in the old city cemetery. A joint memorial commemorates eight important Nobel Prize winners who were once buried in the city.

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Traditions and community are writ large in Göttingen - also known as Chöttingen in the local dialect. Every year, its residents and curious travelers alike look forward to the delicious, hearty bacon cakes prepared in local bakeries on the first Monday after Michaelmas, just in time for the start of autumn. The occasion is the traditional Guild Day, which also commemorates the former medieval guild elections at an event in the Old Town Hall.

Among Göttingen students, too, a popular tradition has prevailed to this day: After graduating from Georg August University, freshly minted doctoral students climb the market fountain in front of the historic town hall. The original old custom involves presenting the historic Gänseliesel figure with a bouquet of flowers and then kissing the stone girl. Today, the Gänseliesel is Göttingen's most important landmark - and also probably the most kissed girl in the world.

As a lover of culture, you will be pleased with the distinct cultural life in Göttingen. Three theatres, a symphony orchestra, several museums and exhibitions are just as much a part of it as annual events. Experience the Göttingen Summer of Culture with cabaret, literature and music in the Old Town Hall or the German Theatre and visit an open air festival in August on the Waldbühne in Kaiser-Wilhelm Park. When the days get shorter you can look forward to the Göttingen Literature Autumn or visit international greats at the Göttingen Jazz Festival.

Anyone who wants a little time out should explore the Old Botanical Garden at Göttingen University. Once a year, the titanwort, a rare plant from Indonesian Sumatra, blooms in the well-kept green space. The unusual bloom attracts numerous visitors and can be admired here from a very short distance.

Classic car enthusiasts are in good hands in Göttingen, as the Harz Mountains and its beautiful landscapes are perfect for extensive classic car tours with a fresh breeze and charming stopovers. Only about 39 km from Romantik Hotel Gebhards, you will also find the PS.Speicher, Europe's largest classic car museum. Numerous fascinating exhibits, a classic car simulator and a family and holiday programme invite you to discover them together and convey an authentic picture of mobility, technology and history.

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Those who prefer a more sporty approach can get active on a bicycle tour. On a guided bike tour through Göttingen you will learn about the city's history and present. From Göttingen you can head south on the Leineradweg, for example, to the Friedland Museum, which illuminates the history of the widely known border transit camp from 1945 to the present day in the historic railway station of the village of Friedland. Just a short distance further, you will reach the idyllic Besenhausen manor with its café.

Walkers and hikers also get their money's worth in the rose garden, in the green space of the old city wall or in the city forest on the Hainberg. For an excellent panoramic view, climb the Bismarck Tower, the highest point in the city area (323 m above sea level). On clear days you can see as far as the Harz Mountains from here. The Kiessee lake in the south offers boat hire, sailing and paddling clubs and numerous circular hiking trails. In winter you can ice skate on the frozen lake.

The 46th Göttingen Jazz Festival will take place from 03 - 12 November 2023, presenting a particularly extensive programme in various venues such as the Old Town Hall or the German Theatre for the first time in several years. From classical jazz to folk and world music to improvisational art and electronic music, the festival, which is appreciated by connoisseurs, covers a wide variety of genres. Let the extravagant sounds of the concerts wash over you, and feel free to visit us during your stay at our nearby Romantik Hotel Göttingen to relax and recharge your batteries after the shows.

Handel Festival in Göttingen

The Göttingen International Handel Festival from 18 - 29 May is dedicated this year to the theme of Greece. Under the motto Hellas! the team around artistic director George Petrou has put together a finely selected programme that presents the work of the famous artist George Frideric Handel to a broad audience within the framework of various formats. In addition, this year's prize of the Göttingen Handel Society will be awarded. With its central location, the Romantik Hotel Gebhards is the perfect starting point for a visit to the festival.

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When the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread wafts through Göttingen, it's time to ring in the cosy season at Göttingen's Christmas Market. This year's Göttingen Christmas Market begins as early as the end of November and once again offers its guests all kinds of treats such as roasted almonds and beautiful handicrafts. The market is located in the middle of the city centre and while you stroll and enjoy, you can also admire illuminated sights such as the town hall and St. John's Church. After your visit, you will find a comfortable place to sleep and a first-class pampering programme in our Romantik Hotel Gebhards, even in wintry temperatures.