The Lahn Valley: Marburg & Gießen – A Tale of Two Cities 🌊🏰

Most rivers in central-northern Germany flow north to the sea, but the Lahn River is a rare exception—this Rhine tributary defiantly runs southward! Along its banks lie charming towns (see map 📍), and on April 5, 2025, I explored two of them: Marburg and Gießen. Marburg: The "German Chongqing" 🏞️ With its steep, winding streets and hilltop castle, Marburg feels like a European cousin of China’s mountain cities! Must-sees include: Elisabeth Church ⛪ – A Gothic masterpiece tied to St. Elisabeth of Hungary. Marburg Castle 🏰 – Offering panoramic views over the red-roofed Altstadt (Old Town). Fairytale vibes ✨ – The Brothers Grimm studied here, and you can almost spot Rapunzel’s tower! Gießen: The Chemist’s City 🧪🚂 Famous as the home of Baron Justus von Liebig (1803–1873), the father of organic chemistry, Gießen pays homage with: A periodic-table-themed train at the station! (Science nerds, rejoice! 🔬) The quirky Mathematikum Museum ➗ – Hands-on math fun (yes, really!). But let’s be honest—compared to Marburg’s storybook charm, Gießen feels a bit... "meh". If short on time, skip it for Marburg! Verdict ⚖️ Marburg = Postcard-perfect 🖼️ (Worth a full day!) Gießen = Quick stop ⏳ (For chemistry fans only.) Pro tip: Hike/bike the Lahn River Trail 🚴♂️ between towns for epic scenery! #GermanyTravel #HiddenGems #BudgetTrip #MarburgMagic #ChemistryGeek #RiverAdventures #BrothersGrimmVibes #NoFilterNeeded