Discover Helmstedt

University history at the Juleum

The Academia Julia opened in 1576 with faculties of theology, law, medicine and philosophy. It was one of the first Protestant universities in northern Germany. The Juleum Novum, the auditorium building of the former university, was constructed later: this palace-like Renaissance building was built between 1592 and 1597. The two dates mark different chapters in the university’s history—the opening of the university and the construction of its auditorium.

The Aula, or Auditorium Maximum, is on the ground floor of the Juleum. It is used for concerts and lectures, including academic talks as part of the Helmstedt University Days. For those interested in the connection between architecture and university history, it offers a tangible point of reference. The climb up the Juleum Tower involves 153 steps. It is open to visitors from April to October on the first Saturday of each month, between 11 a.m. and noon. These set visiting hours and the number of steps are useful to know if you want to include the tower in your day’s plans.

Museums and the history of the border

The Helmstedt District and University Museum displays a model of the town as it was around 1750 and original artefacts from the university era. These include an astronomical disc, a globe and crockery from the university refectory. The collection takes visitors from a historical view of the town to objects from academic life. It offers a way to explore the university’s history not only through buildings but also through individual objects.

The Zonal Border Museum Helmstedt explores a different historical subject. In five sections, it documents the history of the former inner German border, from its beginnings to reunification, using original objects, photographs, models and life-size displays. The “Face of the Border” section includes an original mesh-metal fence, warning signs, mines, automatic firing devices and an overview model of the border fortifications. Visits and guided tours outside regular opening hours are possible by prior arrangement. If you would like to explore this aspect of the town’s history in more depth, you can plan a museum visit by making arrangements in advance.

Town gates, ramparts and a trip into prehistory

The Helmstedt Hausmann Tower is the oldest surviving town gate in the Brunswick region. Of Helmstedt’s four former gate towers, it is the only one to have been preserved in its entirety. From April to October, the week is ceremonially brought to a close from the Hausmann Tower every Saturday at noon. This regular event gives visitors to Helmstedt on a Saturday during these months a specific time to plan around.

The leafy, avenue-like ramparts invite visitors to take walks through the town centre. They offer a different way to experience Helmstedt than visiting museums or viewing historic buildings: here, the focus is on walking through the town. If you would like to include walks in your stay, you can make the ramparts a focus of your day’s plans.

The Lübbensteine lie west of Helmstedt, on St. Annenberg. These prehistoric megalithic tombs were built between 3500 and 3000 BC. They offer another perspective on the region’s past, spanning from prehistory through the university era to the more recent history of the border. When planning your holiday, you can decide whether to focus on Helmstedt’s town history or also include the prehistoric tombs in your plans.

More destinations: Brunsleberfeld, Schöningen, Jerxheim, Groß Twülpstedt, Süpplingenburg, Lehre, Bahrdorf, Königslutter Am Elm.

For the main travel overview: Helmstedt.