Hannover: what is worth visiting during a city walk?

The first written mention of the city dates back to 1150. In the 12th century Hanover joined the Hanseatic League, and over the next two centuries, the right to share the city gradually passed from the hands of the Duchy of Braunschweig-Lüneburg to Georg Ludwig of the ancient Welf dynasty.

Today, the city of Hanover is the largest metropolis in Northern Germany, with more than 500,000 inhabitants. Already now, the capital of Lower Saxony is visited by more than 13 million tourists from a hundred countries. 

The unique architectural feature of Hanover is that it is not at all similar to typical German cities. During the Second World War, many ancient buildings and monuments were destroyed, so today the city is filled with modern buildings and historical reconstructions. There are practically no old streets in the Middle Ages left.

This city will impress tourists with its cleanliness, green parks and large well-kept gardens. Hanover is also a large cultural center with many interesting themed museums and exhibitions. 

Here we have collected the top places in Hanover that will impress even experienced tourists 

1. The market square and the old town hall

The market square, or as the Germans say - Marktplatz, is located in the historic center of Hanover. It was built in the middle of the 12th century and is one of the best examples of brick architecture of the 15th century. Marktplatz has long been the main square of the city. From the middle of the 12th century, rich people, craftsmen and merchants settled there, and the square itself was a cheerful and lively trade.

Years, centuries passed - and the size of the area increased significantly. Some houses of merchants and craftsmen have not survived to our days, as they were destroyed by wars and natural fires. The market square was also badly damaged during the Second World War, most of its buildings were rebuilt from ruins.

Today, Marktplatz is 250 meters long and 50 meters wide. The square is surrounded by administrative and religious buildings, its houses are decorated with glazed terracotta friezes and sculptures. The house of the scientist Leibniz is an example of secular architecture, built in the traditions of Renaissance Gothic. 

The old town hall is one of the main decorations of the market square. The town hall was built in 1410, and was erected for almost a hundred years. This is the most interesting architectural ensemble of the old part of Hanover. Together with the nearby Marktkirche church, it is considered the southernmost and most famous work of North German Brick Gothic.

2. Marienburg Castle/Schloss Marienburg

Marienburg Castle is the residence of the oldest German aristocratic family, the Welfs. It is located only 20 kilometers from Hanover.

According to family legend, the origin of the Welf family was traced back to Edekon, a Hunnic or Scythian leader during the time of Attila (c. 450), the father of Odoacer. The head of the Welf family, Prince Ernst August, held an auction at which 20,000 items belonging to the family were sold. The 37 million euros raised at the auction went to a foundation that will deal with the preservation of the family's heritage, including the restoration and maintenance of this beautiful castle.

The neo-Gothic castle was built according to the project of the German architect Konrad Wilhelm Hase in 1857-1867. He thought about it as a summer residence. The interior design of the castle was handled by Haze's student Edwin Oppler. The castle was a gift from the Hanoverian King Georg V to his wife Marie and was intended as a summer residence for the royal family.

3. Botanical Garden Berggarten/Berggarten

Today, the Berggarten is not just a local attraction, but a botanical center that serves for conducting experiments and studying plants. Although at first it was created as a garden, or rather even an ordinary vegetable garden at the palace kitchen in 1666. But twenty years later, the first greenhouse was built in the Berggarten and money began to be allocated for the breeding of exotic plants - Duke Ernest-August's niece loved plants, and the garden was largely developed on her initiative.

Over the years, the Berggarten has turned into a scientific garden-collection. New greenhouses were built and conditions were created for larger-scale experiments. Scientists have grown large collections of exotic plants in the Berggarten. Palms, ferns, orchids, cacti, as well as many other rare species of flora that were brought to the garden from distant expeditions. Unfortunately, some of the collections were sold, and some were lost during the long wars in the first half of the 20th century.

4. Sprengel Museum

Known for its collection of modern art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Kazimir Malevich and many other artists.

Expressionists, Surrealists, Dadaists, as well as abstraction, cubism, minimalist and conceptual art, photoblog and media objects - all this in one of the largest collections of contemporary art in Germany.

Today, the museum is considered one of the best collections of works of art of the 20th and 21st centuries in Germany. The main emphasis in the collection from the beginning of the century until the end of the Second World War was made on the works of representatives of revolutionary trends - expressionists, surrealists, cubists, and dadaists. 

Other currents presented in the museum are minimalist art, post-minimalism, abstract art of the post-war period, informalism, "new realism", conceptual art. Among the exhibits of the museum are not only paintings: there are exhibitions of photographs and the latest media objects.

5. Lake Maschsee

Hanoverians relax near their own water oasis - this is known far beyond the city limits and one of the most popular recreation spots in Hanover, Lake Maschsee, with an area of ​​approximately 0.8 square kilometers.

The artificial lake, created in the period from 1934 to 1936, attracts both lovers of water sports and simple vacationers on the embankment. 6 km long coastal paths are very popular with hikers, runners, and cyclists. In recent years, the winter lake has become increasingly popular among ice skaters.

The 6 km circular route around the lake is a great place for walking, jogging, rollerblading or cycling. At the service of lovers of leisurely walks, there are several different pubs, cafes and restaurants, where you can not only drink a cup of coffee with a pie, but also have a delicious meal. In the most picturesque place on the northern shore, there is a hotel with a view of the lake.

6. Sadi Herrenhausen

A wonderful example of European garden art is the ensemble of Herrenhausen Gardens in the city of Hanover. The Great Garden is one of the best-preserved and most important Baroque gardens in Europe. In 2015, Herrenhausen Gardens won the European Garden Prize!

The establishment of the Great Garden in 1666 belongs to the Duke of Kahlenberg, Johann Friedrich. However, it owes its further expansion to a remarkable woman: Sophie von der Pfalz, a Hanoverian socialite. She laid out a garden on the French model at the end of the 17th century and made it her life's work. The result was a masterpiece of baroque garden art with many special and exemplary gardens, large fountains, water features, a labyrinth, an open-air theater, various groups of figures, a cascade, a castle, a gallery building and a conservatory.

7. Aviation Museum in Hanover-Laatzen

The museum displays models and details of the fascinating history of aviation in an area of ​​more than 13,000 square meters.

The Aviation Museum in Hannover-Laatzen arose from a private collection in 1992. On the exhibition area in two halls, you can see almost 4,000 exhibits, including 35 aircraft - originals and exact replicas, 800 model aircraft, more than 30 piston and jet engines, control stations, flight clothing, books and flight documentation. And hundreds of things of pilots that they used in everyday life.

The exhibits of the museum are arranged mainly in chronological order, starting from the beginning of aviation and ending with modern civil aviation.

Both adults and children will like this place.

8. Oceanarium SEA LIFE Hannover.

At Sea Life Hannover, you will embark on an exciting journey from the Caribbean to the rainforest to the Amazon. Here you can see more than 2,500 animals from 160 species. Discover the habitats of turtles, seahorses, sharks, stingrays and other sea creatures in colorful underwater worlds.

The centerpiece of the Sea Life Aquarium is a 300,000 liter ocean tank. Passing through a glass tunnel, you walk along the bottom of the sea, watching the inhabitants gliding majestically across the pool. You won't see them from this perspective anywhere else!

9. Hanover Opera House

The Opera House on Georgstrasse is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. This work of art was built from 1845 to 1852 according to the project of the court architect Georg Friedrich Laves. Initially, it was used as a royal court theater, which by this time was already close to the king's castle. 

In 1943, due to hostilities, the opera house burned down, and was restored in its historical form in 1948. As part of the major renovation in 1985, it acquired completely new acoustics. Stage equipment was modernized between 1996 and 1998, and then in 2012.

Once upon a time, luxurious carriages drove right under the opera house so that wealthy opera lovers could get to the theater without getting their feet wet. Currently, this function is performed by an underground parking lot under the square, which is directly connected to the theater.

10. Eilenriede urban forest/Die Eilenriede.

Hanover is known for its large urban forest. Not even a park - a forest!

Eilenriede is one of the largest and oldest continuous urban forests in Europe with an area of ​​640 hectares. It is divided into the northern part near the zoo in the precinct of the same name and the southern part, which mainly belongs to the Kleefeld precinct. The area, which is almost twice as large as Central Park in New York, proves that the big city of Hanover is also a green city.

In addition to a rich population of animals and plants, Ílenriede attracts locals and tourists with the opportunity to engage in numerous sports and various leisure activities. A large network of paths in Eilenried invites you to carefree walks in the herring green. In addition, the forest has a developed infrastructure - there are hundreds of benches, ponds, sunbeds for sunbathing, meadows for dog walks, forest restaurants and adventure playgrounds!

We have listed just a few reasons why Hannover attracts tourists. In fact, they are many times more. This city has numerous strengths that can appeal to different types of travelers, be it history, culture, nature or entertainment. Hanover also offers many opportunities for outdoor activities, including bike paths, walking and other recreational activities.