When was the University of Marburg founded and what makes it unique?
Philipp I of Hesse founded the University of Marburg in 1527. It stands today as the oldest existing Protestant-founded university in the world.
Questions about Marburg
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who is Elizabeth of Hungary and when did she die in Marburg?
Elizabeth of Hungary chose Marburg as her dowager seat after falling out with her brother-in-law. She died in 1231 at the age of 24 and was canonized by the Catholic Church four years later in 1235.
What happened to the population of Marburg during the Thirty Years War from 1618 to 1648?
More than two-thirds of the population died during the conflicts between Hessen-Darmstadt and Hesse-Kassel that lasted from 1618 to 1648. This loss exceeded casualties from all later wars combined including World War I and World War II.
How many times were Allied forces bombing raids conducted on Marburg during World War II?
Allied forces bombed Marburg thirteen times during World War II but spared the inner city from significant damage. From 1942 until 1945, the entire city functioned as a hospital with schools converted into wards.
When did the Marburg virus outbreak occur and how many people died?
Workers at the Behring-Werke plant accidentally exposed themselves to infected green monkey tissue during an outbreak in 1967. Thirty-one people became infected during that initial crisis while seven died from the viral hemorrhagic fever.