Whoever travels in Germany from the West to the East or from North to South simply cannot bypass Hannover. The host-city of the world exhibition Expo 2000 is the axis and crux in the heart of Germany. Every year firms from all over the world gather here at the CeBIT and the „Hannover Messe“ (Hannover Trade Fair). Away from the hustle and bustle, travelers come across the „green jewel“ of the city, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen. Three centuries of garden art form a lavish backdrop for atmospheric celebrations with dance, theater and music. Thus the best way to experience the big city in green surroundings is on foot. The idyllic city forest „Eilenriede“ with its cosy seats between sculptures and fountains and nearby Lake Maschsee reveal art at every step. As part of ex-perimental street art, the world-famous „Nanas“ and designer BUSSTOPS show that this art can also be touched and immediately experienced. So that nobody loses the thread when viewing these sights, a 4,200 meter long red line drawn on the pavement leads every visitor straight through the inner city and safely to his destination.
Hannover - Art & Culture
Historic Buildings
The Marktkirche (Market Church), built in the 14th century, is situated next to the old town hall in Hannover. This church is a show-piece of North German Gothic brick architecture.
The heart of Hannover University beats in the Welfenschloss (Castle of the Guelphs), which is located in an idyllic spot. In 1879 the Higher Trade School, which later became the Royal Technical College, moved into the castle. From that point onwards it developed into a modern university, currently attended by 32,000 students.
Theater
The Theatermuseum is a specialty of Hannover’s theater - the only one of its kind in Germany.
Museums
The Sprengel Museum Hannover is an important center for modern art. German Expressionism, French Cubism, Abstract Art from after World War II and such trends as Minimal Art, Informal Art, Nouveau Realisme, Concept Art and Postminimal Art can be admired.
Music
The Opernhaus (Opera House) in Hannover is not only worth seeing: Attending a performance here is an outstanding acoustical experience. It is one of the top 20 opera houses in the world and is also one of the most beautiful classical buildings in Lower Saxony’s capital.
Art
In 1994 international designers created nine train and bus stops as part of the well-known Hannover „Street Art“.
Hannover - Events & Festivals
The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, highlights of Baroque garden architecture, form the impressive backdrop for the famous Festival of Lights in conjunction with the International Fireworks Competition. Fireworks experts from five countries magically transform the night sky into a splendid, colorful display of fireworks, accompanied by classical music. A colorful and varied combination of music, theater, cabaret and clowning forms a sensory program setting that lures numerous visitors to the gardens every year from May to September.
The festival „Swinging Hannover“ attracts thousands of jazz fans every year on Ascension Day (May). A huge concert in the Eilenriederhalle and a grand open air concert on the Trammplatz in front of the town hall are classic hits with the public, where internationally renowned performers get together.
You become acquainted with Hannover’s liveliest side at the Marksmen’s Festival. Folksy hustle and bustle and exuberant gaiety dominate the world’s largest Rifle Club festival for ten days every year in July. The showmen present breathtaking world novelties and ceremonies rich in tradition to the approximately 2 million visitors - and they’ve been observing this festival for nearly 500 years. The highlight is the impressive parade of members of the rifle clubs, with 12,000 participants. Rifle club members, music bands and marching bands as well as horse-drawn carriages march from the town hall to the fairground where the shooting competition takes place.
Lake Maschsee and its natural, park-like environs offer unlimited sport and leisure opportunities. It’s an ideal location for a festival where joie de vivre and a maritime flair are combined in a nearly three-week-long summernight’s dream. Thus the annual Maschsee Lake Festival (from the end of July to mid-August) has developed into a magnetic attraction for visitors. For the prelude to the festival the lake is immersed in the impressive sparkle of Bengal lights. Visitors can enjoy cabaret as well as international music on the shores of the lake. And there are of course a lot of highly entertaining events everywhere for children. The festival ends with an immense fireworks display high in the air.
Hannover - Fairs & Conventions
CeBIT - international computer and telecommunications trade fair Whatever interests the world in terms of information and telecommunications technology is shown at the CeBIT - including world premieres. It is the decisive global information and networking platform and offers a complete overview of the market as well as the world’s largest sales potential.
Hannover Messe - world trade fair of industry, automation, innovation Every spring visitors can obtain information on innovations and trends in fields ranging from factory automation to product and materials technology.
Hannover - Lifestyle & Entertainment
The GOP-Variete in Hannover is one of the top addresses for places with discriminating live-entertainment in a stylish setting. This is proven by the nearly 100,000 visitors every year, who come to see the nine weekly shows. This establishment has already been offering monthly changing international variety shows of a high standard for nearly half a century. Visits to GOP are experiences involving all the senses. For the 275 guests on the ground floor and on the gallery can enjoy delicacies from kitchen and cellar during the show.
The enercity-Expo-Cafe with specialties from all over the world and a varied program of events has achieved cult status by now. In the summer the city’s smart set gathers on the big terrace, mainly on Saturday mornings.
Hannover is also known as Germany's "Capital of rock music" . Throughout the year there are special concert highlights of German and international stars such as Herbert Groenemeyer or Genesis. Various arenas offer enough space for intoxicating live-events!
Hannover - Shopping
In the modern part of the inner city of Hannover you will find all the fine boutiques as well as the large department stores. Everything is close proximity - from haute couture to department store fashion, from the finest porcelain to pottery, from precious jewels to whimsical costume jewelry.
The shoping areas of Hannover in detail:
Galerie Luise / Kroepcke
This glass-covered mall in the heart of Hannover offers an exklusive choice of goods and a cultivated ambiance in cosy boutiques. Galerie Luise also offers exclusive cafés and restaurants for gourmet dining a la carte even when the shops are closed.
Georgstreet / Pedestrian area
The largest shopping street in Hannover is also one of the biggest pedestrian areas in Germany. From Kroepcke square to Georgstreet you will find various shops with extraordinary ambiance. The highest density of department stores you will find around Kroepcke square.
Old Town
The charming Old Town of Hannover with its small alleys and cosy squares at the borders of river Leine invites you to really enjoy your shopping tour.
Niki de Saint Phalle Promenade / Main railway station
In the new, modern, bright and open shopping-mall which is situated between the main railway station and Kroepcke square you will find a manyfold choice of goods as well as cosy cafés and snackbars.
Hannover - Culinary
Grünkohl (kale) with Bregenwurst and Kassler (lightly smoked pork loin) is a specialty of Hannover in the fall. The kale is cooked with onions, pepper, salt and a little shortening. The meat is slightly roasted and then added to the vegetables. Bregenwurst sausage is placed for a few minutes in hot water before adding it to the dish, which is seasoned with mustard and served with boiled potatoes. Enjoy this hearty Hannover specialty!
At the world largest marksmen’s festival Weizenkorn, a special wheat schnaps (32% alcohol by Vol.), ispoured from a glass held between the index and middle fingers over a glass of dark, top fermented beer, which in turn is held between the thumb and index finger. The beer is downed - while the Korn is being poured - in accordance with the old quaint custom. Hopefully, the Korn reaches the eager gullet in one go with the beer. Cheers!
