Ulm lies in the heart of southern Germany, and is a modern city with a rich, historic tradition. Students in Ulm can enjoy all of the benefits of a student town, taking walks through the historic city centre, relaxing on the bank of the Danube River, and taking exhilarating excursions into nature.
Facts
126,790 Inhabitants ¹
13,927 Students ²
2 Higher education institutions ²
WELCOME TO ULM
As you approach the city of Ulm, you are sure to spot the 161.53-m tall spire of the from afar. The backdrop of the city is dominated by this famous landmark, which happens to be the tallest church tower in the world. The square in front of the minster is a popular meeting place for residents of Ulm. It’s also the location of the marketplace which sells fresh fruit and vegetables from local farms several times a week. The construction of the church tower was completed in 1890.
The streets of downtown Ulm radiate away from the minster in a colourful mixture of historic buildings and modern architecture. Walking through town, you’ll pass several historic sites, like the (Crooked House), the and the , before arriving at the city library. With a glass façade in the form of a pyramid, the library’s futuristic style adds some spice to the atmosphere of the city. Continuing onward, you’ll soon arrive at the Fishermen’s Quarter. This part of town used to be inhabited by craftspeople in the Middle Ages. You should definitely spend some time here enjoying the historic atmosphere with a coffee or a cool beverage.
Tip
Take a trip to the Ulm “Tiergarten” (zoo). They have an extraordinary aquarium there, in which you can walk through a Plexiglas tunnel to view the Danube River from below!
If you live in Ulm, there’s no way you can miss the . You will find the bird displayed on street signs, at bakeries and even as statues on some buildings, painted in various colours. The sparrow is a symbol of Ulm and can be found, for example, at the entrance of the Ulm Minster. Bakeries sell a pretzel-like pastry in the shape of a sparrow called “Laugenspatz”.Even the football team of the Ulm Sports Club 1846 calls itself the “Ulmer Spatzen” (Ulm Sparrows), so it’s a word you should definitely remember!
Interview
SARAH FROM EGYPT
LIVING IN ULM
Ulm used to be an important city in the Middle Ages as it lay at the intersection of several land and sea trading routes. Today Ulm serves as a connection between major cities in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. From here, you can quickly travel to , and by train, and just a bit further to Lake Constance or the Alps. You should reserve several weekends to discover all that southern Germany has to offer, for example, on a trip to the Swabian Alps.
Ulm’s close relationship to other cultures is expressed in numerous festivals, like the Danube Festival with representatives from all of the countries through which the Danube River flows. If you’d like to get to know the local culture of the city better, you should attend one of these festivals during the summer.
If you need a break from studying, you can take advantage of the large selection of sports offered at the higher education institutions, such as rock climbing in a boulder hall or jogging outside. Many students go out to numerous bars downtown in the evening. One of the cultural highlights is the Ulm Summer Theatre Festival. Popular open-air musicals and theatre productions are staged at the Wilhelmsburg every second year. There are other open-air events held in various parks around town, such as the Glacis Park Neu-Ulm.
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