Hannover

Nowdays, Hannover is the largest city in Lower Saxony and its administrative center, a major railway and aviation hub in Europe. But for more than seven centuries of existence, it survived a lot - it burned in the flame of the plague, became the capital, was destroyed by air strikes, but was revived like a Phoenix. What is interesting about this place, and what is worth seeing in it?

Alas, purposefully tourists go to Hannover less often than to other German cities. And it is absolutely in vain, because there is everything for a great rest, and the developed infrastructure and transport links attract world-wide events to this point of the planet. The World and European Football Championships, the World Ice Hockey Championships, and the EXPO 2000 World Fair were held here. Annually Hanover hosts industrial fairs, the largest of which are Hannover Messe and CeBIT.

Exhibition complex Hannover Messe, photo © vlv-mag.com

Today this corner of Germany lives in step with scientific and cultural progress. And it is shocking, considering that during the war it was completely destroyed by British air strikes. Only some buildings on the outskirts survived and those that were specially strengthened. About 6,000 people died in the ruins ... But the city was rebuilt, and with such speed that this process was called the Hanover miracle. After 15 years, no trace of the recent tragedy remained within the city limits.

However, the thrifty Hanoverians have kept the memory of history. They bit by bit collected what had miraculously survived, and created a colorful “medieval corner” in the center of the city. It consists of a couple of small streets, which are strikingly contrasted with the new buildings around, but the atmosphere here is amazing! As if the portal opened in the Middle Ages, not otherwise.

Beginen Tower on Am Hohen Ufer Embankment, photo © vlv-mag.com

Otherwise, Hannover is a modern city. About 700 trains depart from the railway station every day. Is it a lot? It is enough to compete with air transport despite the fact that the Hannover air gates are the second in Germany by the number of airlines to Europe. In the city, residents prefer to travel by tram-subway, whose line in the city partially lies underground.

Where to go? Among the attractions are the State Museum, the City Halls, as well as the stunning zoo, forest and the Royal Gardens. To help the guests, the Hanoverians stretched the Red Thread around the city - a special line that runs from the train station through almost four dozen of the most interesting places.

The New City Hall, photo © vlv-mag.com

One of the first on the way is the Church of St. Egidius (1347). The old building was destroyed by bombing, but not restored for the edification of descendants. Inside is the bell of the world, presented to the townspeople by the twin-city of Hiroshima.

Another historical monument is the Marktkirche Market Church, whose tower is 98 meters high. Nearby is the Old City Hall, built in the style of the North German brick Gothic. The new one is a bit away, about 20 minutes on foot. This is an incredibly beautiful and solemn building erected in the XX century, around which lies a quiet and peaceful area. Inside the building there are 4 expositions showing the view of the city in different eras.

The Old City Hall, photo © vlv-mag.com

Connoisseurs of museum silence in Hanover should visit three places: the State Museum of Lower Saxony, which holds more than 20,000 artifacts and objects of art of the past, the Sprengel Museum, which collected the largest collection of contemporary art, and the Augustus Kestner Museum, dedicated to the history of the Ancient World.

When you will be tired of the museum exhibits and Gothic buildings, look at the Hanover inner forest of Ailenried - the largest in Europe, it occupies 1600 hectares. There are many walking paths, recreation areas and simply beautiful places where you can meet hares, foxes and squirrels. To see more animals, go to Erlebnis-Zoo - one of the oldest zoos in Europe, founded in 1865. It is divided into thematic "worlds" in which gorillas, flamingos, lions, rhinos, elephants and other fauna live. About 3,000 animals live here.

Erlebnis-Zoo in Hannover, photo © vlv-mag.com

Another oasis of nature in the center of Hanover is Herrenhausen’s four-part gardens. The large garden consists of 50 hectares of lawns, green spaces and stone sculptures, forming geometric patterns. Gardens Georgengarten and Velfengarten decorated in the style of the English garden and are popular recreation places for local residents. Berggarten Botanical Garden is famous for its tropical gardens with rare birds and butterflies, Canarian and many others, including gardens of cacti and orchids. The latter contains the largest collection of these flowers in Europe.

Berggarten Botanical Garden, photo © vlv-mag.com

Hanover have the usual places of leisure - clubs, bars, restaurants, amusement parks, shopping centers and creative sites. Those who want to take a noisy walk should go to this city at the end of June, when the Riflemen Festival begins, or at the end of September - meet Oktoberfest!

Timofeeva Julia, Germany, Hannover

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