page_title: University of Greifswald
section_title: 1945–1990: GDR
hierarchical_section_title: University of Greifswald / History / 1945–1990: GDR
caption_attribution_description: For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Greifswald, Universität Zentralbild Löwe 8.10.1956 Zur 500 -Jahrfeier der Universität Greifswald 14. bis 21. Oktober 1956 Am 14. Oktober 1956 beginnt die 500-Jahrfeier der Greifswalder Universität. UBz: Das alte Universitätsgebäude.
context_page_description: The University of Greifswald is a public research university located in Greifswald, Germany, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
  Founded in 1456, it is one of the oldest universities in Europe, with generations of notable alumni and staff having studied or worked in Greifswald. As the fourth oldest university in present Germany, it was temporarily also the oldest university of the Kingdoms of Sweden and Prussia, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of the 10,179 students are from outside the state, including foreign students from 90 countries all over the world. Due to the small-town atmosphere, the pronounced architectural presence of the alma mater across town, and the young, academic flair in the streets, Greifswald is often described as a "university with a town built around it" rather than a town with a university.
context_section_description: All academic activities came to a halt towards the end of the Second World War, and the university was re-opened on 15 February 1946. The name of Ernst Moritz Arndt was initially removed but restored in 1954. Several organisational changes were made during the time of the GDR, most of which were revoked in the 1990s after the German Reunification.
caption: The main building on 8 October 1956, a few days before the 500th anniversary celebrations of the university
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