The original bronze statue was commissioned by the city council and designed by sculptor Paul Nisse.
The city passed a law in 1926 banning the 'kissing of the Gänseliesel' to preserve public order and the monument's integrity.
Despite the ban, the tradition persists, and police rarely enforce the ordinance against jubilant doctoral graduates.
The statue is widely considered the most kissed girl in the world due to the frequency of the academic tradition.
The fountain design incorporates eight bronze geese spouting water into the basin.
The statue was officially unveiled on June 14, 1901.
The replica currently displayed was installed in 1990 to replace the original, which was moved to a museum.
The Gänseliesel is a bronze statue of a girl herding geese, mounted atop a Neo-Gothic fountain in the center of Göttingen's Old Town market square. Installed in 1901, the current figure is a replica, as the original bronze statue is preserved in the Städtisches Museum to protect it from environmental wear. It serves as the symbolic emblem of the University of Göttingen. Tradition dictates that newly minted doctoral graduates climb the fountain to kiss the statue, a practice formally prohibited by city ordinance since 1926. The fountain sits directly in front of the Old Town Hall, marking the historic center of the city. The base features a sandstone basin with intricate carvings reflecting the architectural style of the turn of the 20th century.
From the steps of the Old Town Hall looking toward the statue with the historic half-timbered houses in the background.
Visit during the afternoon on a weekday to observe doctoral students celebrating their successful defenses.
Walk around the perimeter of the Old Town Hall to see the historic inscriptions and architecture surrounding the market square.
Check the city museum to view the original bronze statue if you want to see the authentic 1901 casting.
Do not treat the area as a climbing structure; the stone and bronze are fragile and the activity is legally restricted.
Do not attempt to climb or kiss the fountain, as it is officially prohibited by city ordinance and can damage the monument.
