The Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg has a young, dynamic, innovative, future-oriented, and international profile.
Young - because it was established in 1993 through the merging of three Magdeburg institutions of higher education.
Dynamic - proven by the successful integration process, outstanding research results, and the implementation of new and attractive degree programs.
Future-oriented - as characterized by technological complexes, life sciences (combining medical, neuro-scientific and sociological aspects), and economics and society.
International - taking up the international challenge in research and scholarship by systematic development of research co-operation and student mobility.
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Otto von Guericke (1602-1686)
THE PATRON Otto von Guericke, after whom the university was named, held the office of mayor of Magdeburg for thirty years, successfully completed various city missions and projects, and as scientist, engineer, and philosopher he attained fame and recognition even outside of Germany's borders. By using brilliant scientific and technological ideas and applying them to practical, probing, and convincing Magdeburg experiments, Guericke solved the question discussed by philosophers of his time: the existence or non-existence of vacuum. With his vacuum pumps, he generated stronger vacuums for the first time. With this he demonstrated the existence and the power of air pressure, investigated the properties of air, and became one of the first and most important advocates of experimental physics in Germany. Otto von Guericke's original experiments in the physics and technology of vacuum establish the basis for the current scientific discipline Vacuum Physics at the young University. The best-known, and still impressive experiment Otto von Guericke conducted was the hemisphere experiment. This experiment was demonstrated for the first time in Magdeburg in 1659, when sixteen horses tried to pull evacuated hemispheres apart. Magdeburg, the city of attraction! The city promotes its image with a logo combining some of its most famous elements: the hemisphere experiment, the cathedral, and the Elbe river.
The City
The capital of the state Saxony-Anhalt, is almost 1200 years old. The first documented evidence of the city appeared in the year 805. Otto the First commissioned an imperial palace in the city. In 968, the city became the seat for an archbishop. The famous Magdeburg town privilege, which spread into Middle and Eastern Europe, originated in the Middle Ages. At the time of the Reformation, Magdeburg was a center for the Protestant movement. The city was almost completely destroyed during the Thirty Years' War and was thereafter restored under the supervision of Otto von Guericke, being one of the city's mayors at that time. In the 19th century, Magdeburg developed into an important industrial and trade city. The historical city center was destroyed during a bombing raid on 16 January, 1945.
Despite the repeated destruction of the city, one can still find splendid architectural works here.
The city's landmark is the early-gothic cathedral - one of the most extravagant examples of church architecture of the middle ages - which is rich in decorative figures like the Wise and Foolish Virgins, as well as the tomb of Emperor Otto the First.
The central point of the Route of Romanesque Architecture (Straße der Romanik) is the convent of Our Beloved Lady, an impressive work of the standard Romanesque style. The city is decorated with large parks, such as "Rotehorn Park", "Herrenkrug Park" with its horse racing track, and "Klosterberge Garden", which was modelled after Lenné's designs.
As the state capitol, the state parliament and the state government in Magdeburg make decisions, which determine the state’s future.
The campus at Universitätsplatz is located in direct vicinity of the city center. The campus can easily be accessed by foot, bicycle, or tram. Teaching and research buildings, students' residences, library and sports facilities are all on campus