"Giessen - Wissen ist Macht (Knowledge is Power)" Gießen by yumyum

Gießen Travel Guide: 38 reviews and 69 photos

Giessen in Hessen is a famous university city. I passed here by train several times and sometimes I had to change here. So I decided to break my journey here for 3 hours and check the place out. I was surprised by what I found. The city has an internet page and on there they have a city walk which I printed out and then I just followed the numbers. Unfortunately, there is no tourist information in the railway station.

For a print-out check out www.giessen.de

Wilhelm Liebknecht is from Giessen. The quote "Wissen ist Macht" is from him. You can check out where his birth house was if you want. He is the one who started to organise the workers politically.

The town dates back to 1152 and "Giezzen" was first mentioned in 1197 by a monastery and it's not sure whether that meant the town itself. But it was certainly mentioned in 1231/32 and it was granted city status in 1248.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:A surprise

Last visit to Gießen: Feb 2007
Intro Updated Apr 21, 2007
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (24)

Kasernengaesschen (barracks alley) - Gießen

Kasernengaesschen (barracks alley) Things to Do (20)

This dates back to the 16th century when the city's fortification walls were built. When they were taken away around... more travel advice

Villa Leutert Things to Do (20)

On the green stretch around the town where there used to be the castle ditches rich people built villas. This one was... more travel advice

Stadttheater Things to Do (20)

The planning was done by the Viennese architects Fellner and Hellmer. The building was constructed under the lead of a... more travel advice

Die Schwaetzer (the gossipers) Things to Do (20)

These 3 funny figures can be found right in the middle of the shopping streets. It's very popular to have your picture... more travel advice

Shopping (2)
See All Shopping streets

Transportation (2)
See All By bus

Comments (12)

BruceDunning Nov 16, 2010 at 1:19 PM Report Abuse

The castles and the tower are sites I always yearn for, so now maybe try to get up to this area one day. You did a fine job of showing the architecture and sites around town
Yaqui Jul 1, 2009 at 10:15 AM Report Abuse

Wow Sonja, you stumbled onto a real gem. What a lovely city filled some wonderful history. Very lovely page and well done!
scottishvisitor May 2, 2007 at 1:28 PM Report Abuse

Nice page Sonja but I wouldn't want the Schlammbeiser's job but would love the architecture around here
Kuznetsov_Sergey Apr 28, 2007 at 11:51 AM Report Abuse

A very fine German town which I may probably visit one day... Thanks Sonya for virtual travel!
Nemorino Apr 25, 2007 at 2:32 PM Report Abuse

Hi Sonja, glad to see you really did get off the train in Giessen and have a look around. It's a nice town. Thanks for including the theater in your tips.
Mariajoy Apr 25, 2007 at 9:59 AM Report Abuse

Hi Sonja! Another nice new Germany page! "Schlammbeiser" ?? Phewwww what a horrible job!! :)) Tschues! Maria
deecat Apr 22, 2007 at 11:26 AM Report Abuse

Quite an informative page with lots of details and helpful information. I love all the different styles of architecture. Seems you covered a good deal of "ground" in your stopover. Thanks for such quality work.
Trekki Apr 22, 2007 at 8:03 AM Report Abuse

WOW, you did see more of Gießen than I did while I lived close by in Marburg :-) Great guide this, Sonja, and maybe I'll go and visit one day :-))
tini58de Apr 22, 2007 at 2:42 AM Report Abuse

You sure did see a lot during your stopover! Thanks for another interesting page, Sonja!
globetrott Apr 22, 2007 at 12:44 AM Report Abuse

an interesting page, Sonja, the old and the new castle, both of them look great and the Schlammbeiser would be a great idea for Vienna to remove the dog-poo ;~)