Discover Helmstedt

Helmstedt brings together traces of its former university with the history of the town and the border. For travellers looking for a hotel in Helmstedt, this variety offers several ways to shape their stay: the Juleum represents the town’s university history, two museums highlight different aspects of the past, and the leafy ramparts invite you to stroll through the centre. You can choose how to balance historic buildings, collections and a walk around town according to your interests.

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 was built from 1592 to 1597 as the assembly hall of the former university: a palace-like Renaissance building that also gives architectural expression to the university’s history.

The auditorium on the ground floor, the Auditorium Maximum, is used for concerts and lectures. These include academic talks held as part of the Helmstedt University Days. The Juleum thus combines its former role as an assembly hall with its present use as an event venue.

Museums covering town and border history

The Helmstedt District and University Museum displays a model of the town as it was around 1750. Original objects from the university era complement the display, including an astronomical disc, a globe and tableware from the university canteen. The exhibits lead from the town model to objects from various aspects of university life in the past.

The Helmstedt Border Zone Museum explores the history of the former inner German border in five sections, from its beginnings to German reunification. Original objects, photographs, models and life-size displays present this historical overview. The “The Face of the Border” section features an original metal-mesh fence, warning signs, mines, self-firing devices and an overview model of the border fortifications. The broad historical overview is presented alongside specific exhibits.

Towers and walks in the centre

The Helmstedt Hausmannsturm is the oldest surviving town gate in the Brunswick region and the only one of Helmstedt’s four former gate towers to remain fully intact. From April to October, the week is rung out from the tower every Saturday at 12 noon. Another tower visit takes you up the Juleum Tower: the climb involves 153 steps and is offered from April to October on the first Saturday of each month between 11 a.m. and 12 noon. The two activities differ in both timing and content; check the times before you travel.

The leafy, avenue-like ramparts invite you to stroll through the centre of Helmstedt. They offer a different kind of experience from the buildings and museums: a walk through town rather than a visit at a set time. Visits and guided tours of the Border Zone Museum can be arranged outside opening hours by booking in advance. If you would like to take advantage of this option, make arrangements before your trip.

Discover more of the region’s history

The Lübbensteine lie west of Helmstedt, on St. Annenberg. These prehistoric megalithic tombs were built between 3,500 and 3,000 BC. They broaden the region’s historical perspective with a subject distinct from the university, town fortifications and border history. Together, these sites and collections offer different ways to shape your stay around your cultural interests.

Discover more destinations: Söllingen, Groß Twülpstedt, Räbke, Königslutter Am Elm, Büddenstedt, Lehre, Süpplingenburg, Brunsleberfeld.

For the overview of the wider region: Helmstedt.