Marburg

Marburg is a town in the state of Hesse, Germany, and the seat of the Marburg-Biedenkopf district. It lies on the Lahn River, about 100 kilometers north of Frankfurt, in central Germany. The town has a well-preserved medieval core and is home to Philipps-Universität Marburg, one of Germany’s oldest universities.

Founded in 1527 by Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse, the university helped establish Marburg as a center of Protestant higher education and scholarship. It remains known for programs in the humanities, social sciences, and life sciences.

Key landmarks in Marburg include the Elisabethkirche, a 13th-century church dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and Marburg Castle, perched above the town on Schlossberg. The historic Oberstadt and Unterstadt districts preserve cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, contributing to the town’s characteristic skyline.

Marburg virus and its disease refer to an outbreak-associated pathogen named after the city. The Marburg virus is a member of the Filoviridae family that causes a severe hemorrhagic fever. The 1967 outbreaks occurred in Marburg and Belgrade and were linked to laboratory work. Transmission occurs mainly through direct contact with infected body fluids, and treatment is supportive. Prevention focuses on infection control and surveillance, with outbreaks continuing to occur mainly in Africa.