Location & Venue

The 1. European Fire Salamander Meeting 2025 (EFSM2025) will be held at the Bielefeld University Campus. Found in the west of “the city that doesn’t exist”, Bielefeld University was founded in 1969 and aims to “re-establish the unity between research and teaching” while also stressing a large focus on interdisciplinary research. There are over 14 faculties with research groups including but not limited to Behavioural Ecology, Animal Behaviour, Evolutionary Biology, Animal Ecology, and Chemical Ecology. The campus architecture reflects this unique philosophy as it encloses all faculties into one structure resulting in one of the largest contiguous buildings in all of Europe!

The campus can be found next to one of Bielefeld’s most beautiful attractions: the Teutoburg Forest. This rich offering has many hiking and biking trails, wildlife sightings, a botanical garden, the Olderdissen zoo (free entrance), historical sites and more. 

The University is just a short tram ride away from Bielefeld’s historic city center. Here you can find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars, as well as museums and shops. The Sparrenburg Castle, Bielefeld’s iconic landmark, is located a short walk from the city center. With the best views in Bielefeld, it is definitely worth a visit. 

The easiest way to the university from the historic city center by public transport is by taking the tram line 4 (red line; direction Lohmannshof if you depart from the city centre), which stops directly at Bielefeld University campus (stop “Universität”). Alternative to the tram, Bielefeld has a dense grid of bus stops. There are several buses that go from several parts of the city to Bielefeld University. Just find the bus stop closest to you and type it in the DB Navigator App (the app for public transport within Germany) or ‘mobiel’ app (the app for public transport within Bielefeld) and it will give you the best route and departure times.

Things to do in Bielefeld

Bielefeld is a charming city with plenty of sightseeing and fun activities to offer. Here are some of the top things to do in the area:

1. Explore Altstadt: Altstadt, or Old Town, is home to historic buildings and charming streets, perfect for a leisurely stroll or shopping.
2. Visit the Sparrenburg Castle: This medieval castle sits atop a hill and offers stunning views of the city and surrounding countryside.
3. Go for a hike in the Teutoburg Forest: There are plenty of hiking trails in the Teutoburg Forest where you can enjoy some fresh air and scenic views.
4. Visit the Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen: The Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen is a zoo that features around 450 different native species. It is located in the Teutoburg forest and admission is free.
5. Take a walk in the Botanical Garden: The Botanical Garden is perfect for a relaxing walk and is home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife.
6. Visit the Kunsthalle Bielefeld: This modern art museum showcases a variety of contemporary and modern art exhibitions.