Many people know this German city because of the CeBIT computer expo, while others, especially heavy metal fans, know it as the hometown of rock legends Scorpions (you know, the ones who sang Wind of Change).
But Hanover is a whole lot more than computers and heavy metal anthems. It’s a city with a host of hidden cultural treasures and beautiful spots to discover. Here, we’ll bring you some of our favourites.
Hanover is the capital of the German state of Lower Saxony. A city with a population of more than one million people and is known all over Europe for hosting the largest and most internationally representative computer expo in the sector.
It’s known as CeBIT, and every year it attracts more than 500,000 people to the exhibition ground which also hosted Expo 2000.
The venue was originally an aircraft works and has successfully converted Hanover into the epicentre of leading fairs and congresses of the German economic giant. Deutsche Messe organises the expo, which has 27 pavilions, totalling an exhibition area of more than 1,000,000m².
These are some of the most outstanding tourist spots.
Ernst-August-Platz
It’s the central meeting point in the centre of Hanover. A monument located just next to the Kröpcke train station. It’s impossible to enter or leave the city without passing in front of this central location, which is the city’s main communications hub par excellence.
New Town Hall
Although it looks medieval, it’s actually a relatively new construction that was built in 1913. This magnificent, castle-like building often holds art exhibitions and has detailed scale models on permanent display showing the evolution of the city over the centuries.
Nanas
Art has always been one of this German city’s most appealing aspects and the Nanas created by Niki de Saint Phalle are a clear example of this. These artworks have been exhibited in the streets since the 1970s and become iconic images of the city.
Plump, curvy figures of women fire the imagination of the spectator instantly. A work signed by the French sculptor, painter and filmmaker Catherine Marie-Agnes Fal de Saint Phalle.
Herrenhäuser Gardens
Hanover is full of enormous stately gardens. These are Hanover’s most famous attraction and a magnet for tourists from all over the world.
It’s subdivided into three other gardens, representing the main gardening architecture styles from the 17th century to the present day. The centrepiece, the Great Garden, has kept its baroque gardens since the origin of this artistic movement.
Another of the points of interest is the artistic grotto created by the world-famous French artist Nikki de Saint Phalle. Every summer there’s an international fireworks competition and a busy schedule of outdoor performances. The Great Garden also won the category for the best development of a historic park or garden at the European Garden Award in 2015.
Wilhelm Busch Museum
This museum is primarily focussed on caricature and satirical art and is dedicated to the work of the German cartoonist, poet and painter, Wilhelm Busch. It was opened in 1937 and since the 1950s is entirely focussed on graphic art connected to criticism and satire.
It contains more than 40,000 original documents, including Busch’s much loved comic books, Max and Moritz. Many scholars consider Busch to be a crucial figure in the development of American comics.
Maschsee
Maschsee is an artificial lake which was dug down into swampland in 1936. The lake is about one kilometre in length and an ideal spot for a walk, to relax or enjoy a boat trip on the lake.
It’s common to see boat races and other competitions for water sports held on the lake. One highlight is the Maschsee Lake Festival; an impressive event held beside the lake every summer that attracts around one million visitors annually.
