In 1580, the Jesuits were brought to Paderborn by the cathedral chapter as part of the recatholization of the city and diocese. The then Prince-Bishop Dietrich von Fürstenberg, Paderborn's most important representative of the Counter-Reformation, entrusted them with responsibility for religious education at the old cathedral school, which was then called "Gymnasium Salentianum". In the years 1596-1605, the Jesuits erected a new convent building and a new church tower, which retained its function even after the old church was demolished. Today, these buildings form the Faculty of Theology next to the former Jesuit church and today's Marktkirche.
In 1612, Dietrich ("Theodor") von Fürstenberg had a new school built on the Kamp, which he himself renamed the "Gymnasium Theodorianum" and which still exists today. The sturdy church tower, which towers over the entire building complex and became a landmark of Paderborn visible from afar alongside that of the cathedral, also housed the observatory of the Jesuit college.
Dietrich von Fürstenberg also founded Paderborn's first university in 1614. It comprised two faculties, the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Philosophy. Teachers and lecturers were, of course, Jesuits. One year after its foundation, the university was granted the right to award doctorates and other privileges enjoyed by traditional universities such as Heidelberg or Tübingen by Pope Paul V and Emperor Matthias.
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Directions & Parking facilities
Take the A 33 freeway to the Pad.-Zentrum or Pad.-Schloß Neuhaus exit; then head towards Paderborn city center. Stay on the inner ring road (Innenstadtring) in the direction of PaderHalle or Maspernplatz (if necessary, follow the parking guidance system). Turn into Maspernplatz via Hathumarstraße.
Parking:
Parking for cars is available at Maspernplatz on the edge of Paderborn city center (destination address for the navigation system: Heiersmauer 45, 33098 Paderborn). There are usually plenty of parking spaces there. Tip: Buy a reasonably priced day ticket!
An alternative is the Neuhäuser Tor parking garage, which you will pass on the way to Maspernplatz as described above.
Information on other parking options in the city center and tariffs: www.asp-paderborn.de.
By public transportation:
Take the city bus lines 1,2, 3, 4, 7, 8 (PaderSprinter) to the "Rathausplatz" stop.
For more information on traveling by city bus, visit www.padersprinter.de or call 05251 6997222.
