University of Greifswald

Greifswald is often described as a university with a city around it. The tradition-conscious and modern University of Greifswald was founded in 1456 on the initiative of the mayor of Greifswald, Heinrich Rubenow. After Rostock, it is the second-oldest university in the Baltic Sea region and shapes the city, life and residents alike. To the historic university campus, which stretches between the two churches St. Nicholas and St Jacobi includes the late baroque main university building and the brick buildings of the old auditorium, old library and observatory. Also the Botanic Garden was once located within the city walls but was moved to its current location due to lack of space.

main university building

One of the university's most magnificent buildings is the main building on Domstraße, which once housed the lecture halls and apartments of the professors and is now the seat of the rectorate. The Renaissance building was originally built in 1596 and rebuilt under the Swedish crown from 1747 to 1750 according to plans by the mathematician and architect Andreas Meyer. The auditorium is one of the most beautiful baroque ballrooms in the country and is still used today for receptions and concerts. The council hall with its collection of portraits of professors by the painter Wilhelm Titel (1784-1862) is also worth a visit.

auditorium max

The historic Auditorium Maximum was built from 1884 to 1886 by the Greifswald university master builder Paul Emil Hofmann. Due to the increasing number of students, space was needed and what was then the largest lecture hall building with space for up to 400 students was created. One of the special features of the building is the former student prison, where between 1885 and 1914 those students arrested for drunkenness and other disciplinary offenses were imprisoned. Even today, the walls of the prison bear witness to the thoughts and sins of the inmates. The prison is only open to visitors as part of the university leadership to visit.

Observatory

The observatory, built in 2, was used for research and teaching until the end of World War II. Since 1891, the Greifswald observatory has been looked after by an association that takes care of care and maintenance and organizes observatory tours and sky observations at regular intervals.

Old university library

The old university library was built between 1880 and 1882 according to plans by the architects Martin Gropius (1824-1880) and Heino Schmieden (1835-1913). Today, the Old Library mainly houses special collections such as the "Pomeranica" with its 30.000 volumes. After extensive renovation, the building is accessible again.