Home to one of Germany’s oldest universities, Marburg is an enchanting riverside town in the state of Hesse. It was established as early as the 9th century at the crossroads of two medieval highways and has historically been an important hub for Germany’s pharmaceutical industry. Marburg is renowned for its half-timbered buildings and links to the Brothers Grimm.
Things to do in Marburg
Spend an afternoon strolling through Marburg’s Altstadt, which is clustered with half-timbered houses that are said to have inspired the Brothers Grimm. Admire the 1512-built Town Hall and explore some of the boutique stores before relaxing with a drink at one of the alfresco cafes. Nearby is the Philipps University of Marburg, which was founded in 1527.
Watching over the Altstadt is the Marburger Schloss, a hilltop castle originally established in the 11th century. In 1529, it famously hosted the Marburg Colloquy in an attempt to solve a dispute between Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. Today, its storied rooms house exhibits from the Marburg University Museum of Art and Cultural History.
Marburg is one of the most important stops on the German Fairytale Route, as it is where Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm lived and studied. Along the Grimm Path, you’ll encounter characters and figures from some of the brothers’ most famous stories with the help of a smartphone-compatible map. The route includes installations and artwork, as well as plenty of information about the brothers’ lives and the magical stories they created.
Getting around Marburg
Marburg is around an hour’s drive from both Frankfurt and Frankfurt Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Marburg railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Marburg is compact enough to explore on foot.