Press

Published date | 07.09.2026

# Celebrating the anniversary year together: Philipps University marks its 500th anniversary

On 14 October 2026, Philipps University of Marburg will kick off its anniversary year with a grand opening celebration. With a cycle relay from Homberg, a parade and a party on the forecourt of the Landgrave’s Palace, the university will celebrate its 500th anniversary together with students, researchers and staff.

![Front view of Marburg Landgrafenschloss](https://cms.500jahre.uni-marburg.de/assets/66dc6f62-40e4-4e41-b6f9-e652f24471b7?key=webp-750)

## Kicking Off the Anniversary Year Together: Philipps University Celebrates Its 500th Anniversary

On October 14, 2026, Philipps University will kick off its anniversary year with an opening ceremony and a big party for everyone who studies or works at the university—as well as an exhibition on the university’s history at the Landgrave’s Castle.

500 years of the university: That’s a reason to celebrate—and to do so together. That’s why the kickoff of the anniversary belongs to the people who make up Philipps University today: students, researchers, and staff from technical, administrative, and academic management roles.

The festivities begin the day before: On October 13, a bicycle relay featuring students from the Collegium Philippinum of the Hessian Scholarship Foundation will set off from Homberg (Efze). Riding along the new Philipp500 bike path, they will travel via Treysa to Marburg—thus linking the Reformation anniversary in Hesse with the university’s anniversary.

This is because the university’s founding dates back to the Reformation in Hesse: After the Homberg Synod decided in 1526 to introduce the Reformation in the Landgraviate of Hesse, Landgrave Philip of Hesse founded the University of Marburg in 1527 as one of the first Protestant universities in the world.

On October 14, the bicycle relay will reach Marburg. There, they will be welcomed by members of the university community. Together, they will proceed in a festive procession from the Old University up to the castle.

There, at 3:00 p.m., the grand anniversary celebration begins on the forecourt of the Landgrave’s Castle. With music, socializing, and time to celebrate together, Philipps University kicks off its anniversary year. Whether in academics, research, teaching, technology, or administration: everyone who studies, conducts research, or works at Philipps University is cordially invited.

In parallel with the opening celebration, the exhibition “500 Years of the University of Marburg—What Remains of History” will open at the Landgrave’s Castle. It focuses on the 500-year history of Philipps University and shows how the university and its self-image have changed over the centuries.

After all, 500 years of the university are not just a look back at a long history. Above all, it is an occasion to celebrate together what defines Philipps University today—and to kick off its anniversary year together.

**Opening Celebration for the University’s Anniversary**

October 14, 2026, 2:00–8:00 p.m.

Forecourt of the Landgrave’s Castle, 35037 Marburg