A town with a proud academic heritage: Göttingen

You don't exactly need a doctorate to visit Göttingen, but it might come in handy in a town that seems to pulsate with a thirst for knowledge, and that is dominated by students and academic life unlike any other in Germany. A total of 44 Nobel laureates are associated with Göttingen. Some were born in the town, others came here to study, teach or do research.

Göttingen: great minds, scholars and the Goose Girl
The university, with its neo-classical main building in the centre of the town, dominates the townscape and is a source of local pride. It was founded in 1737 by Elector Georg II of Hannover, perhaps better known as King George II of Great Britain. August von Hannover, gleichzeitig König von Großbritannien, gegründet. Throughout the town there are memorial plaques in white marble that commemorate more than 300 of Göttingen's scholars – a journey through Europe's intellectual history. The old quarter, surrounded by medieval ramparts, contains a number of historical buildings. It also features the Goose Girl, the town's emblem, an art nouveau figure located in front of the Old Town Hall. This lowly girl herding her geese is the darling of the doctoral students. By tradition, they have to kiss the statue when they receive their degree, making her the most-kissed girl in the world – or at least in Göttingen.

Events as sophisticated as their audiences
Besides a rich intellectual life, Göttingen also offers culture at the highest level. The town has a total of five symphony orchestras, each specialising in a different area. With the Handel Festival in May, music from didgeridoo to dixieland in the pedestrian precinct during the summer, three theatres, an autumn jazz festival and the Dance and Culture Festival, culture is never out of season in Göttingen. In the autumn, the focus is on literature. Since 1992, the ten-day Göttingen Literature Festival has been held every autumn at the Old Town Hall and the German Theatre. Göttingen also hosts other literary events throughout the year, featuring not just writers but also artists from related spheres. The Old Town Hall is a venue for all sorts of entertainment, such as cabaret, music and comedy, while the Goethe Institute traditionally stages chamber concerts. Those looking for peace and quiet can visit the ethnological collection or another one of the town's major museums. Things are likely to be a bit more lively at the 'Indoor Old Town Festival', held in a number of clubs including the Nörgelbuff, as well as at the many other locations where local bands raise the roof on a nightly basis. The historical Lokhalle is the main site for larger events.