Göttingen is the city that creates knowledge („die Stadt, die Wissen schafft“): the university city, the city of science, the city of Gauss, Lichtenberg and the Brothers Grimm. But Göttingen is also the shopping city, the festival city. The city of culture, the green city in charming surroundings. Göttingen is a city with many facets that are worth discovering: different every time, exciting every time. And the city with stories that can only be told here, like that of the bronze fountain statue, the Gänseliesel.
© Peter Heller,
University Göttingen
Wilhelmsplatz & Auditorium
The life and soul of the city, especially the student life, is often found buzzing at Wilhelmsplatz. The university auditorium was a generous gift from King Wilhelm IV of Great Britain and Hanover, and a statue stands in his memory. This grand auditorium, a symbol of neoclassical architecture, still stands as a central building for the Georg-August University, thanks to its impressive assembly hall.
© Klein und Neumann,
University Göttingen
Marketplace & Old Town Hall
At the heart of Göttingen, the Old Town Hall and the marketplace paint a picture of medieval allure. This multipurpose building, established in 1270, was the hub for council and court meetings as well as trade. It boasts a magnificently decorated grand hall.
© by Ralf König,
University Göttingen
Gänseliesel of Göttingen: A Tale through Time
Göingen’s Gänseliesel is more than a statue—it’s an icon. Perched right in the market square in front of the Old Town Hall, this lovely lass has become a focal point for both locals and tourists.
The Story and Significance of Göttingen’s Gänseliesel
The Gänseliesel is rumored to be the most-kissed girl on the globe! This quirky tradition stems from the students of the Georg-August University, who, after acing their doctoral exams, parade through the city and climb up to the Gänseliesel for a celebratory smooch.
Interestingly, if it were up to the city’s magistrate, the Gänseliesel wouldn’t be gracing the square today. The tender design, created by Heinrich Stöckhardt and sculpted by Paul Nisse, only scored second place in the city’s competition. Instead, a flashier design featuring a lion titled „In the Spirit of the Old/Virtue Fountain“ by K. Mehs and H. Jehs was the magistrate’s preference.
However, when the top three designs were presented to the public, the simplicity of the Gänseliesel won over the hearts of the people. They felt it was more in tune with the everyday folks, unlike the numerous statues of celebrated scholars around the Georg-August University.
© Peter Heller,
University Göttingen
