A palace built for lectures

The University of Strasbourg is not just a place for passing exams and drinking cheap coffee. It is an absolute goldmine of historical architecture. The most famous symbol of this academic wealth is the grand Palais universitaire.

The German Empire built this massive palace in the late 19th century. They wanted to show off their power and influence after taking over the region. The building looks more like a residence for royalty than a place where students struggle through morning maths classes.

The front of the palace features giant columns and a sweeping staircase. A majestic statue of Ramses the Second even guards the inner courtyard. It is a very dramatic setting for young people who are mostly just trying to find the nearest photocopying machine.

The hidden stars of the campus

The university complex does not stop at the palace gates. There are many more ancient and beautiful structures scattered across the historic campus area. You just need to look past the modern concrete additions to find them.

The old botanical gardens house some incredible 19th century structures. The astronomy observatory is a prime example with its historic iron dome. It sits surrounded by rare trees and looks like something out of a science fiction novel from the Victorian era.

Nearby you will find the institute of physics and the institute of geology. These buildings feature heavy stone walls and intricate carvings on the doors. The professors who worked here a century ago clearly demanded an inspiring workspace.

A library fit for emperors

No historic university campus is complete without an overly grand library. The National and University Library of Strasbourg sits proudly on the nearby Place de la République. It is another monumental creation from the same imperial era.

The architecture is a mix of classical styles with a giant dome that dominates the square. Inside the reading rooms feel like a sanctuary for books. The design is so grand that it almost makes you feel guilty for using it to scroll through social media instead of reading ancient philosophy.

It is a refreshing change from modern university libraries which often look like grey office blocks or abandoned warehouses. The students in Strasbourg might have a lot of essays to write but at least they get to suffer in beautiful surroundings.