Schwarzer Bär in Göttingen, Timber-framed heritage house in Göttingen, Germany.
The Schwarzer Bär is a timber-framed house at Kurze Straße 12 that combines Gothic features from the 15th century with Renaissance elements in its broad wooden facade. Inside, there is a ground floor hall and a vaulted cellar from the 14th century that were rediscovered during renovation work.
The house was built around 1600 and began serving as a restaurant from 1637 when Heinrich Andreas Koch opened a dining space for students of the newly founded University of Göttingen. These early days as a student gathering spot shaped the place's history for centuries to come.
The house served as a gathering place for student associations who met here regularly, and its role was strengthened when it obtained permission to serve beer, making it a key location in student life. This function remains central to how locals understand the place today.
The house is located in the center of Göttingen and is easy to reach along Kurze Straße, a busy street with other historic buildings nearby. The facade can be viewed from the street, and information signs help explain the architectural features.
Three memorial plaques on the facade honor Johann Andreas Eisenbarth, Ludwig Windthorst, and Levin Schücking, important figures in German history. These plaques tell stories of people who were connected to Göttingen and its academic circles.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.