In the footsteps of famous Alumni - University History City Tour
Alumni learned more about the history of both the University and the City of Giessen
On May 22, 2025, 15 alumni of JLU met for a city tour about the history of JLU, after the original date had been postponed due to weather conditions.
Petra Bröckmann, former employee of the ZfBK at JLU and city guide, led the walk with extensive explanations about the history of Gießen's institutions of higher education. The participating alumni actively engaged and shared their stories and anecdotes about the university.
The tour began at the doors of the Mathematikum, as it is a symbol of JLU's research. The next stop around the corner was the Liebig Museum, which in the 19th century served as both the laboratory and lecture hall of the world-renowned professor Justus von Liebig.
The route then continued through Frankfurter Straße, Alicenstraße, and Löberstraße to the main university building in Ludwigstraße. Along this stretch, there are various buildings closely connected to the university's history, such as professors' residences, seats of student fraternities, or houses that were occupied in the 1980s.
The tour proceeded past the Hugo-von-Ritgen-Haus, through Süd- and Ostanlage to THM. This also touched upon the history of THM. Starting with Hugo von Ritgen, holder of the chair for architecture at Gießen University and founder of the craft school from which THM emerged, there is a close relationship between the university and the Technische Hochschule.
The tour ended in a well-known Gießen student pub, where the participants could relax with good food and drinks after the two-hour walk.
Text: Olesya Mudritskaya, Silke Bromann