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  • Wetzlar
  • 11 Oct. 202412 Oct. 2024
    11 Oct.12 Oct.
  • 1 room, 1 adult
  • 1 room, 1 guest

Wetzlar, 1 hotel

Wetzlar, the city of optics and Goethe

The Hessian city of Wetzlar is best known for two things in particular: Firstly, it became known as the city of optics, after Oskar Barnack produced the first portable camera for Leica in the city in 1925. The Leica Camera AG company is still based in the city to this day, and attracts visitors from all over the world. Secondly, it is associated with Goethe, because the German poet spent time here in 1772, providing the inspiration for his seminal work, ‘The sorrows of the young Werther.’ There are still several historical buildings dating from that period, so visitors are able to experience a taste the past. Little wonder, that tourists are attracted to the city’s well-preserved Old Town.

Wetzlar Old Town

Old Lahn bridge: Wetzlar, as it was in the Middle Ages
On a walk around the quaint laneways of the historic town centre, there is a great deal to discover. The well preserved townhouses, Medieval marketplaces and small boutiques direct on the Ufer river offer much to appeal to visitors. The city’s six museums, with displays on culture, literature and the city’s history are all located in Wetzlar’s Old Town. No visit is complete without a trip to the Old Lahn bridge. This was first built in 1288 and is among the oldest bridges in Hesse.

Tour around Wetzlar: experience the cathedral and architecture

A further highlight is the Wetzlar Cathedral This assumes a prominent position in the centre of the Old Town and counts among the city’s most important landmarks. The building of the cathedral began in the year 1230, and to this day it remains unfinished. The buildings impress with their various Medieval building techniques. From Gothic to Late Romantic, a host of architectural styles are represented.

Museums in Wetzlar: On the trail of Goethe

The city’s six museums include two literary museums, devoted to Goethe’s works in Wetzlar. The Lottehaus is a museum devoted to the memory of Charlotte Kestner (née Buff), whom Goethe first met during his time in Wetzlar, and who became the object of his unrequited affection. The poet’s experiences inspired his book, ‘The sorrows of the young Werther’, in which ‘Lotte’ appears as a chief protagonist. The Jerusalemhaus, meanwhile, is devoted to the memory of Karl Wilhelm Jerusalem, another acquaintance of Goethe’s. Jerusalem took his own life in this building, reportedly in response to a failed love affair, inspiring Goethe’s character ‘Werther’.

Recreational activities in Wetzlar and surrounds

Burg Kalsmunt: Wetzlar’s best viewing point
The city’s six museums include two literary museums, devoted to Goethe’s works in Wetzlar. The Lottehaus is a museum devoted to the memory of Charlotte Kestner (née Buff), whom Goethe first met during his time in Wetzlar, and who became the object of his unrequited affection. The poet’s experiences inspired his book, ‘The sorrows of the young Werther’, in which ‘Lotte’ appears as a chief protagonist. The Jerusalemhaus, meanwhile, is devoted to the memory of Karl Wilhelm Jerusalem, another acquaintance of Goethe’s. Jerusalem took his own life in this building, reportedly in response to a failed love affair, inspiring Goethe’s character ‘Werther’.

Walking, cycling or canoeing? Wetzlar has plenty to offer active people!

The city’s six museums include two literary museums, devoted to Goethe’s works in Wetzlar. The Lottehaus is a museum devoted to the memory of Charlotte Kestner (née Buff), whom Goethe first met during his time in Wetzlar, and who became the object of his unrequited affection. The poet’s experiences inspired his book, ‘The sorrows of the young Werther’, in which ‘Lotte’ appears as a chief protagonist. The Jerusalemhaus, meanwhile, is devoted to the memory of Karl Wilhelm Jerusalem, another acquaintance of Goethe’s. Jerusalem took his own life in this building, reportedly in response to a failed love affair, inspiring Goethe’s character ‘Werther’.

Indulgence in Wetzlar: Gastronomy and markets

Wetzlar presents a wide culinary offering: Particularly in the Old Town, there are many different restaurants, cafes, beer gardens and pubs offering regional and international specialties. A visit to the ‘Hörnsheimer Eck’, the oldest restaurant in the Old Town, is particularly recommended.

For fresh produce, Wetzlar’s weekly markets are an ideal place to visit. Particularly the weekly market on the Cathedral Square (Saturdays from 8-14:00). There are also Wetzlar’s seasonal markets, which are not to be missed: In October, Wetzlar’s Gallusmarkt attracts countless visitors with its 150 market stalls, as well as various attractions and rides. From the end of November to the end of December, visitors can enjoy the Christmas market on Cathedral Square, taste seasonal delicacies and go ice-skating.

Getting around the city

With the majority of the city’s attractions located within the Old Town, it’s very easy to discover them all on foot. Alternatively, Wetzlar’s Citybus connects you with all the attractions between the train station with the Old Town. The popular Forum Wetzlar shopping centre is also on the route. Tickets for the Citybus are available for very reasonable prices: A one-way ticket is €0.50 per journey, a mini group ticket for 3 people is €1.00.

Directions to Wetzlar

Wetzlar is conveniently located and can be reached either by car, train or plane. The best way to get into the city by car is with the A45 or the E41. For those travelling by rail, there are numerous connections with regional and express trains, as well as an Intercity line stopping at Wetzlar between Münster and Frankfurt am Main. If travelling by plane, it is best to fly to Frankfurt (approx 70km away) and then take the Intercity to Wetzlar.

Worth seeing in Wetzlar

Cathedral of Wetzlar

The image of Wetzlar's old town is dominated by the cathedral. What makes it so unique can only be seen
the Gothic west facade is unfinished, behind it one sees the remains of a late Romanesque basilica.
Romanesque basilica; the planned left tower never got beyond the base level. The
makes the former collegiate church one of the most interesting church buildings in Germany. But
there is another special feature: since the Reformation, the cathedral has been used by the
Catholic and Protestant congregations since the Reformation.

Domplatz 1
35578 Wetzlar, Germany

The Old Town of Wetzlar

In the old town, with its winding alleys and medieval marketplaces, charming half-timbered houses
half-timbered houses next to buildings from the time of the Imperial Chamber Court. Fascinating
the unfinished Gothic cathedral, which is a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles.
of Romanesque and Gothic style elements reflects a piece of the city's history.

Altstadt 1
35578 Wetzlar, Germany

In Goethe's footsteps

At the beginning of May 1772, the young Johann Wolfgang Goethe arrived in Wetzlar to do an internship at the Imperial
at the Imperial Chamber Court at the request of his father. Primarily - as his father had
desired - to devote himself to the law. However, he did this only reluctantly, preferring instead to devote himself to his literary work to his literary work. Two years after his stay in Wetzlar, he wrote his famous epistolary novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther. The Sorrows of Young Werther. In it, Goethe deals with his own unhappy love for the Wetzlar woman
Charlotte Buff. Today, Goethe's stay in Wetzlar is commemorated by the Lotte House and the Jerusalem House, which belong to the Municipal Museums. In addition, the Imperial Chamber Court Museum can be visited.

Goethe
35578 Wetzlar, Germany