Nichts Grimm in Marburg

Nothing Grimm in Marburg

Philipps-Universität Marburg, the world’s oldest Protestant university, is located in a “this is what story-book Germany looks like” town.  Like many universities its age, the University of Marburg has new offices and programs sprinkled among its most traditional majors and structures. (How would you like to study philosophy in the same classroom where it was taught in 1527?)  We spent a few days getting to know the dear people and places in this “über old school” college town.

Where there are 20,000 students there must be food.  Our wise university guide, Mariana, helped us host a “meet and greet” in the main cafeteria.  The novelty of our NWU promotional DVD and PowerPoint lured quite a few visitors.

Two of the many noteworthy students over all these years at Philipps-Universität Marburg are, Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, both of whom studied law.  As is widely appreciated, the two collected and recorded folktales that people had been telling for generations (sounds like a perfect project for a Communication and English major).  Later, artists were inspired to illustrate the Grimm’s tales based on images from charming Marburg on the river Lahn.  The stained-glass windows of the ancient university buildings, the 800-year old castle atop the town, the patchwork of houses, taverns and shops from the middle ages, the steep, never-a-right-angle cobblestone streets, and tiny alleys all made us wonder if knights, queens, witches and dwarfs might appear at any moment.  Disappointingly, none did, but our spritely tour guide, Frau Hoffman, did challenge us to a jousting match.  

The "Old University" was built in, on, and around a 13th Century Dominican Monastery.  The ubiquitous stained glass windows are inspirational.

The beautiful Marburg Rathaus which houses one of three Brothers Grimm exhibits.

One of the things we learned in the "Red Riding Hood" portion of the exhibit, is experts thought Red needed some professional counseling.

The Marburg fortress now houses a university museum and classrooms.  Students can even apply to live in the fortress residence hall.  Better bring good walking shoes!

Grüß Gott?  Anybody there?

The Teutonic Knights built Elisabethkirche, one of the first Gothic churches north of the Alps, in 1235.  It was constructed to honor the still beloved Saint Elisabeth, Princess of Hungary, who cared for the poor and the sick in the area.  (Her likeness and name can be seen all over the town – we even had dinner at the Elisabeth Brewery.)