In the university town of Marburg an der Lahn, in western Germany

 "... Up a lazy river where the robin's song

Awakes the bright new morning...."
-- The Mills Brothers, Lazy River lyrics
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(in western Germany) The languid Lahn River rises at the Lahnhof in southeastern North Rhine-Westphalia. It flows 153 miles (~245 km) through Hessen and the Rhineland-Palatinate before entering the Rhine from the east by the town of Lahnstein, some six miles south of Koblenz. After first flowing through the mountains in an easterly direction, it shifts its course just north of Marburg and from there moves to the southwest. Along its leisurely way, the Lahn flows past castles, monasteries, dozens of villages and towns. Among the towns and sites of interest on the Lahn’s banks are Marburg and Giessen, each with a university; Wetzlar, with a cathedral; Runkel, with a castle; Limburg, with a cathedral; the castles and medieval ruins of Schaumburg, Balduinstein, Laurenburg, Langenau, Burg Stein and Nassau; and. the health resort of Bad Ems.

+ The Lahn originates in the Rothaargebirge mountain range in the hamlet of Nenkersdorf, a community in the larger town of Netphen. Its source is an idyllic spring pond, at an elevation of 610 meters. (A short distance away is the Ilsequelle, which was considered a sacred healing spring during the Middle Ages.)

+ Featured here is the university town of Marburg an der Lahn, which lies about an hour north of Frankfurt am Main. It is a great choice for a day trip or even a weekend excursion. Here, you will find idyllic river views, a romantic city center, lots of bars, cafés and restaurants, and a castle overlooking the town center. The Lahn River quietly flows through the middle of the town. Marburg’s town center is overlooked by the great Landgrave Castle. Besides the panoramic views you have over the city from the castle, guided tours in summer provide insight into the past (and present) of the 1248 fort. (Its rooms and grounds are occasionally used for film screenings and music performances.)

+ Between 1802 and 1805, the Brothers Grimm studied at Marburg University. Even though neither Jacob nor Wilhelm ever completed their degree, the city’s enchanting atmosphere inspired many of their fairy tales. A themed pathway weaves its way through Marburg and commemorates their stories with giant sculptures at 15 stops.

+ One of the joys of Marburg is simply strolling around its steeply winding medieval core. Its focal point is the Marktplatz (market square); on the southern side is the historic 16th century Rathaus (Town Hall). From there it’s a steep climb to the Lutheran St-Marien-Kirche, an imposing red-brick church with great views over the lower town. The terrace on the southern side is the place to watch the sunrise, particularly on weekends, and often in the company of students, revelers, dog walkers and early risers. At the base of the Altstadt’s Reitgasse are the early-14th-century Universitätskirche (University Church), a former Dominican monastery.