Marburg: Churches, Castle and the Lahn
Accommodation in Marburg on the Lahn
Marburg reveals itself through distinctive places and a range of experiences: St. Elizabeth’s Church and Marburg Castle tell stories of history and territorial rule, while the Upper Town features a medieval ensemble of half-timbered houses and historic churches. There are also trips through the city and along the Lahn, as well as a fairytale trail where you can access texts on your smartphone. This lets you choose whether architectural history, exhibitions, fairy tales or views from the water should be the focus of your trip.
Church, Castle and Upper Town
St. Elizabeth’s Church is Germany’s oldest Gothic hall church. It was built from 1235 to 1283 over the tomb of Saint Elizabeth (1207–1231). Because of this tomb, it was once a pilgrimage church. Its construction period and historical significance as a pilgrimage church give a visit a tangible historical context: here, architecture and the story of Saint Elizabeth come together in one place. For anyone who wants to discover Marburg’s past through its buildings, the church is a striking feature of the cityscape.
Marburg Castle also represents the history of Hesse. It was the first residence of the Landgraves of Hesse and is considered the cradle of Hesse. Since 1981, it has housed the Museum of Cultural History. Its permanent exhibition is located in the Wilhelmsbau and uses a wide range of exhibits to present religious art, territorial rule and Hessian cultural history. The themes thus extend beyond the history of the castle: they range from art and the history of faith to the development of territorial rule and Hessian culture.
The Upper Town of Marburg complements these historical points of interest with its medieval ensemble of half-timbered houses and historic churches. Those interested in architecture will find a different perspective here than in the museum exhibition: instead of a diverse range of exhibits, houses and churches shape the character of the neighbourhood. Together, the castle, church and Upper Town showcase different facets of Marburg’s history, without any one of them needing to explain the entire city.
Fairytale Trail, Castle Railway and the Lahn
The Grimm-Dich-Pfad in Marburg’s Upper Town combines a visit to the neighbourhood with fairytale texts. Permanently installed QR codes let you access the texts associated with the fairytale characters on your smartphone. As you explore the trail, you can read the stories right at each code. This is a different way to discover Marburg than exploring its historic architecture or the museum’s themes.
The Marburg Castle Railway runs through the historic Old Town and the district of Weidenhausen. Its route passes through narrow lanes and along cobbled streets, by picturesque half-timbered houses. During the ride, there are views of Landgrave’s Castle, towering above the city, and the Kaiser Wilhelm Tower opposite. Stories and anecdotes about Marburg’s past and notable figures are also told. The views of the city and the stories of its past make this ride a distinctive way to discover Marburg’s history.
The ship Elisabeth II offers another perspective: it travels along the Lahn past riverside meadows and gives passengers a view of the university city of Marburg and its sights. The experiences differ clearly in form: the Castle Railway passes through the Old Town and Weidenhausen, while the ship travels along the banks of the Lahn. When planning a trip to Marburg, you can decide whether you would prefer to focus on historic buildings and exhibitions, fairytale texts or the impressions gained during a ride.
Marburg as a destination for your holiday apartment
When looking for a holiday apartment in Marburg, it may help to decide first what you want your trip to focus on. Discuss in advance how much room to leave for group activities and individual interests. The experiences described offer different focuses; you can decide which one best suits your travel group based on your own interests.
For further guidance in the directory, see Wehrda. Other destinations: Angelburg, Rauschenberg, Bad Endbach, Kirchhain, Rauischholzhausen, Weimar / Lahn and Gladenbach.
For the regional travel overview: Marburg-Biedenkopf.
