HANNOVER
Sightseeing
History I
Sightseeing I
Practical I Hotels in Hannover
The city
of Hannover has been destroyed during the Second World War. Therefore,
not many historical monuments remain.
Hannover's Opera House
dates from 1845-1857 and was built by the local architect George Ludwig
Laves. But the most impressive building of all stands at Trammplatz :
the "Neues Rathaus"
(new Town Hall). This gigantic building is the sign of the ambitions of
the wealthy citizens of this city at the beginning of the 20th century.
It was built between 1901and 19013. The foundation rests on more than
6.000 beeche pillars. The style of the building was modelled on a
Baroque palace with a central dome, and decorated with Neo-Gothic ans
Secessionist details. In the Debating Hall hangs a large painting made
by the Swiss Ferdinand Hodler. It shows the arrival of Protestantism in
Hannover in 1533. The visitor can go up into the dome via a unique
oblique lift. Up there,
some wonderful views of the city can be enjoyed.
The
"Adagienkirche"
in the centre dates from the 14th century, and the town hall from the
15th century. The "Marktplatz" (market square) is one of the best
examples of 15th century redbrick architecture, with amazing gables with
projections, as well as figurative friezes of glazed terracotta. Close
to the market is the "Sankt Georg
and Sankt Jacobus Kirche"
(Saint George and Saint James Church) with its characteristic
four-pinnacled tower. The most valuable object inside the church is the
Gothic altar, with scenes of the Passion of Christ and copper engravings
by Martin Schongauer.
"Adagienkirche"
in the centre dates from the 14th century, and the town hall from the
15th century. The "Marktplatz" (market square) is one of the best
examples of 15th century redbrick architecture, with amazing gables with
projections, as well as figurative friezes of glazed terracotta. Close
to the market is the "Sankt Georg
and Sankt Jacobus Kirche"
(Saint George and Saint James Church) with its characteristic
four-pinnacled tower. The most valuable object inside the church is the
Gothic altar, with scenes of the Passion of Christ and copper engravings
by Martin Schongauer.
Close to
the "Leineschloss"
(Leine Castle) stands the Neustädter Church, with the tomb of Gottfried
Wilhelm Leibnitz (1646-1716) who was forty years long the librarian of
the House of Hanover. The Leineschloss is situated by the Leine river.
The 17th century castle was entirely rebuilt by the architect
Laves between 1817 and 1842. It was again rebuilt after World War II. It
now serves as headquarters for the Niedersächsischer Landtag (The
pariliament of Lower Saxony). The porticos on the the façade were
modelled on ancient Greek temples.
At
Kurt-Schwittersplatz is the
Sprengel Museum, one of
the grand museums of Germany and one of the finest modern art museums in
Europe. This museum bears testimony to the leading role of
Hannover as an artist's mecca in the 1920's. When the Nazi's came to
power, however, the destroyed the works of art considered "degenerate".
One of the most controversial artists of the city worked here, Kurt
Schwitters. The museum was founded in 1979 by Bernhard Sprengel, a
chocolate magnate. It holds works by Munch, Chagall, Picasso as well as
many more recent artists like Christo.
Sprengel Museum, one of
the grand museums of Germany and one of the finest modern art museums in
Europe. This museum bears testimony to the leading role of
Hannover as an artist's mecca in the 1920's. When the Nazi's came to
power, however, the destroyed the works of art considered "degenerate".
One of the most controversial artists of the city worked here, Kurt
Schwitters. The museum was founded in 1979 by Bernhard Sprengel, a
chocolate magnate. It holds works by Munch, Chagall, Picasso as well as
many more recent artists like Christo.
