Old Town, Hanover

Prior to World War II, Hannover had an extensive Old Town characterized by shadowy lanes and half-timbered Gothic buildings. Unfortunately, bombing destroyed many of the buildings in the Old Town and today the remaining facades have been moved together to form a kind of “new” Old Town. The Old Town is now made up of around 40 half-timbered constructions and among them is Hannover’s oldest church, the Kreuzkirche, which dates from 1333. The Ballhofplatz was built as an indoor sports complex in 1949 and was later converted into an assembly hall and theater. Not to be missed, is the Leibnizhaus, which features stunning masonry work. It was originally built on the Osterstrasse in 1499 and the well-known philosopher Leibniz lived there in the 1670s.

In the Old Town, the Leineschloss, is today used as a parliament building, but actually dates from the 12th century, when it was a Franciscan monastery. It was dissolved as a monastery in 1553 and the Duke of Calenberg used it as a residence from 1636. Visiting Hannover’s Old Town is a captivating experience, with its rich historical atmosphere and wonderful dining and shopping options making it a perennial tourist favorite.