Ok, so I think it’s clear by now that I’m back in the states. And if it wasn’t before, it should be now. I had wanted to do a longer post for each of the cities that I was in and talk about my experiences in each one, and that’s clearly just not going to happen. So I’m re-vising my game plan. I want to share the Hannover slideshow that I started with you. That’s below. I thought it would be a fun way to share Hannover with you all. Hopefully you’ll agree, even though it took so long to do!
So, going forward, here’s the plan. I still want to share each city with you, but I’m going to do it in a much shorter format than before. For each place, I’ll share the place I stayed, one or two photos from that city, and a short paragraph. Short and simple. I can do this! My goal is to post one city a day (except on weekends) till I’m done. So I should be done by next Friday. Then, once those are done, I’ll share my postcards with you as promised.
Speaking of the post cards! I drew the random individual who’ll be receiving a set of my travel themes coasters as part of the “From Europe, With Love” project, and that is…. drum roll please… Emily G.! Congrats Emily! Those are on their way to you in the mail.
Ok, that’s all I’ve got here! Check out all the fun places I saw while I was in Hannover below!
Let's start with a map. This is approximately the route that I took. there was a bit more wiggling and backtracking than what you see here, but it should give you a pretty good idea. The guide book tells me that I walked about 2.75 miles, but I probably walked a little more than that.
And here you see the "Red Line". Basically, it's a just a red line that goes around the town. Supposedly it's re-painted every year, but it was worn enough that I highly doubt that. I think someone told me it's been at least 2. I lost it a few times, but for the most part was able to keep track of the line.
The walking tour started out by leaving from the train station. I have a bit of a soft spot for old train stations. I'm not really sure why. Perhaps its just because they epitomize a time of grandiose-ness from the past.
The first site was one of their shopping malls. It's one of the few "new" things I saw that day. Since it was a Sunday, things were pretty slow. Most places in Germany (along with the other places I visited in Europe) are closed on Sundays.
Next up was the opera house. It was built in 1852, had the interior burned out in 1943 during WWII, and then was restored in 1948.
Another view of the opera house.
Next to the opera house there is a very small park with 3 statues.
Here you can see the odd triangular shape of the bushes in the park.
I just really like this tree. The way it's integrated into it's surroundings reminds me of the integration between old and new in many of the cities I've visited.
Speaking of integrating old and new, this stone wall was one of the original city walls. It's one of the things in the book that I had a hard time finding.
This building is at the site of one of the old city entrances. Later, it was used to house the coffee empire of Ernst-Grote and became a symbol of the brand.
I found the Aegindienkirche interesting for several reasons. It's one of the many buildings that was bombed and left as a shell after WWII, but it was left that way as a reminder. There are also several art installations on the site. The church bell still rings several times a day, but always 5 minutes after the hour so that everyone knows that the bells they hear are from this church and not another.
On the side of the church is something called the "Spartan's stone". It was one of 7 landmarks that apprentices needed to find to prove that the'd been to the city looking for work.
This sculpture was just outside the church. It's name is "Humility"
I love the view of climbing vines turning color in the fall. There just might be one or two more in this slideshow...
In the windows of the ruined church were these stained glass panels. So far as I can tell, they are a modern art installation and not actual remnants from before the building was burned out.
Ok, moving from the old to the new, here you can see the Art in KUBUS building.
This was just a fun art installation that I walked past on my way around. I like that it looks very different depending on your perspective.
See? Different perspective, different look. It really transforms the sculpture. Just bit of fun. 🙂
Ah, the city hall. Actually this is the new city hall. It was built to replace the old city hall in 1913, and paid for all in cash and no credit or payment due to anyone upon it's completion. Behind it is a man made lake.
The inside of the "Neues Rathaus". You can pay to go all the way up to the top of the building and get a fantastic panoramic view of the city. It was a bit too busy for my tastes the day I visited.
And one of the staircases in the corners.
Don't forget to look up when you're visiting a building. You might be surprised at what you see!
One of the exhibits they had in the city hall was a set of city models. This is the earliest model of Hannover in 1689.
Hannover in 1939
Hannover in 1945, just after WWII
I really like the detail in this one. You can see how most of the buildings are bombed out. It's amazing how much reconstruction has gone into each of the cities that I've visited.
And finally, Hannover today
Next up is the Museum August Kestner, an art museum. What you see here is an outer shell made mostly of concrete and windows surrounding an older building. Cool! (Sorry, I don't have pictures of the inner building)
Just outside were these odd stone statues, which are vaguely anthropomorphic to me.
Don't the two on the ends look like they're bowing or laying down? (It's ok if you don't think so)
Here, the one on the left looks like he's scratching his head.
At the City Public Works department, they've kept an old portico up in front of the building.
Here's an up close image of the lion and unicorn crest.
Next up is one of several building designed by architect Georg Ludwig Laves, he's the Royal Master of Works from before. This was his residence.
I thought it was kind of cool that the Circus was in town while I was there!
This building is the State Archives of Niedersachsen. So pretty! On a side note, this is also where I completely lost the line and went around in a few circles before I found my way again.
And I have no idea what this building is, but I love it!
This set of statues depicts the Göttingen Seven, which included the Grim brothers! You can read more about them here.
Another view of the Göttingen Seven
The river Leine runs right through the center of the city. At one point, it encircled part of Hannover
I admit, I have a soft spot for iron lights like this. Can I have one of these in front of the house, please?
I don't recall why there was this Greek helmet there, but it reminded me of my undergrad days.
Here's another example of the mix of old and new I saw pretty much everywhere. It's also interesting because the area across the river was reconstructed with buildings from all over the city that were moved here after WWII.
Of course, I had to take a picture of the original wall.
These figures seemed out of place to me, but there were little souvenirs of them all over the place. Apparently they are a bit of street art that were placed there and originally disliked, but now the three "Nana's" are beloved by the city.
These are those same buildings that were relocated, just from another angle.
This arch was originally part of a horse riding arena and used to sit at the outer wall. Now it's thoroughly encircled by the city.
This house here is apparently the oldest house in the city, dating to 1566. The painting is a quite playful!
The Market Church was quite a view to see!
The Market Church contains the Duve Chapel, so named after it's original benefactor Johann Duve. Funding buildings and having them named after you: one of the earliest forms of advertisement!
Here we have an old building, just across from the gymnasium (which you'll see in a moment). I have to admit, the white and brown construction of German buildings is very pleasing to me.
And just a view of the side streets.
Here is the gymnasium, the oldest one in Hannover as a matter of fact. Down at the bottom there is a tea house. I really wanted to get tea there, but there were no free tables. Oh well. I did think it cool that they had seats outside in fall, they just left blankets there for if you were chilly!
The Leibniz House
Want good beer? Apparently this is the street to go on! Cord Broyhan, credited as the father of beer in Hanover, lived here originally.
And of course, what's a good tour without a decent history museum?!
Or an old palace? Too bad it was under construction, I would have loved to see the whole thing!
I can't really tell you much about this fountain - I just really liked the look of it!
What's old town without old town hall?!
Of course, here's another church - just across from old town hall.
I get a smile out of the skeleton on the right. I'm not really sure what the symbolism there is.
Another view of town hall for you! Beautiful building!
And a close up of some of the details on the buildings.
Gotta love a good funny face!
I have to admit, I had recently gone to see "The Last Unicorn", and the reason this image resonated so much with me was something said there. Apparently, Peter S. Beagle was the first to call a Unicorn a she. This image, at least, follows with that assertion.
Kröpke clock is right in the middle of the shopping district, and is named after an old cafe which was destroyed and rebuilt several times over. And it's the end of the walking tour I took! I hope you enjoyed following along!
I like to link up here. Affiliate links help me keep this blog running. Thanks for using them!
All opinions expressed on this blog are always my own.
Thank you for sharing. I also love how they blend the old and the new as well as leaving reminders (such as the bombed out building) for future generations. This is something we here in America seem to have failed at. Too much :out with old and in with the new.”, although I think things are starting to turn in that area…..at least I hope so.
Thank you for sharing. I also love how they blend the old and the new as well as leaving reminders (such as the bombed out building) for future generations. This is something we here in America seem to have failed at. Too much :out with old and in with the new.”, although I think things are starting to turn in that area…..at least I hope so.