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Town in Hesse, Germany
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Gießen is a city in North Hesse. The city has about 88,000 inhabitants (2018) including 44,000 students, so its infrastructure, shopping and cultural offerings are pretty well adapted to students.
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elefant's toilette
The most known view in Gießen seems to be the E-Klo, a "masterwork" of the questionable urban planning policy from the late 1960s. It is a massive pedestrian overpass found at Selterstor. The popular name is due to the three large octagonal openings in the concrete slab. This says a lot about what is there to see in urban Gießen.
Remains of tower of the former church Stadtkirche. Ask at Kirchenladen next door if you want to climb the tower for a view over the city.
An interactive museum of math and physics just down the road from the main train station.
A museum dedicated to the chemist Justus Liebig and chemistry in Liebig's original laboratory. It offers lectures with demonstrations of chemical reactions. Due to a fire in 2022 its opening hours are limited during the reconstruction.
With temporary art exhibitions.
formerly Oberhessisches Museum
A museum of art and history. As of 2024, it is under redevelopment in order to become more attractive to visitors
A collection of plants from all over the word, including old trees. Some of them shown in greenhouses.
Is a historic, park-like cemetery with some notable tombstones. Only very few burials take place here anymore. Includes a Jewish section.
Ancient Celtic buildings, e.g., a Celtic oppidum was rebuilt. They are on small wooded hill where activities such as hiking and cycling are popular. Nearby are some old castles, which can be visited too.
A well-preserved small monastery on a hill. A popular hiking and cycling destination for locals. There is a beer garden and a restaurant. It is also a concert venue.
A castle ruin on top of the remains of an ancient volcano.
A castle ruin on top of the remains of an ancient volcano. Close to Gleiberg, but smaller.
The cafeterias of JLU and THM are operated by Studierendenwerk Gießen. Everyone can eat there but you need to ask at the cash desk for a black MensaCard for guests for payment. They are scattered across the city and offer lunch. The main cafeteria at Otto-Behagel-Straße also offers dinner. The vegetarian options are good, vegan options also exist.
Italian restaurant.
Greek restaurant.
Hotel and restaurant.
Is the main shopping street. It is pedestrianized and offers a variety of shops (clothes, jewelry, books, drugstores). More shops can be found on the side streets. These are often quieter than the busy Seltersweg. On and around Seltersweg, there are many restaurants, cafés and food stalls. Despite the damage of World War II, some historic Gr%C3%BCnderzeit buildings have survived or were rebuilt. Most of them are at the southern end of the street.
By far the largest department store in the city. Before the merger of the department store chains Karstadt and Kaufhof, it was called Karstadt. Locally, it is still called Kartstadt.
Farmer's market. You can buy fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese and flowers there. Some of it is locally produced. Some food stalls offer small meals.
Is a shopping mall. Even though there is an increasing number of vacancies, it is still a functional shopping mall that compliments Seltersweg.
A car-centric shopping mall in the western outskirts. There is a supermarket and an electronics store as well as some smaller shops.
By car
Gießen can be reached by via motorways from all directions. There are several parking garages along the inner ring road.
Most destinations can be reached by foot. There is a dense network of bus routes operated by SWG and RMV. A rental bike system is also available from Nextbike. 15 Minutes will cost €1.
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Frankfurt am Main · International · FRA
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