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History & Evolution
The town of Hannover was founded in the medieval times as a small rural settlement on the banks of the River Leine at the crossing of two important ancient trading routes. Soon a small village of ferry and fishermen developed into a town under the Dukes of Roden. The Dukes of Roden sold the prospering town to the Welfen.

In 13th century, the Hannover became a thriving community of confident traders and craftsmen and in 1241 Duke Otto granted the town the rights of a borough. In the 14th century, a solid city wall with three gates fortified Hannover and three gothic churches were also built.

For a few centuries, hardly any change took place in life of the city. Then in 1636, the Duke of Calenberg decided to make this well-fortified city his permanent residence. Later his descendants became kings of Great Britain, the first of them being George I, who ascended to the British throne in 1714.

During the Seven Years War in 1757, the Battle of Hastenbeck took place in which French army defeated Hanoverian Army, leading to the occupation of Hanover by Napoleon.

The 19th century brought an end to Napoleon Age and Hannover became a kingdom. When the union with England got finished, the city had its own king, Ernst August, whose monument now stands in front of the Central Station. During this period, the city really started growing and soon industrialization boomed in 1866 when the Kingdom was annexed by Prussians.

The growth of Hanover continued until World War II, after which its economy dealt with a heavy blow. Around two thirds of the town was bombed to ruins or burnt. At this time a large number of refugees from the East also accommodated in the city.

However the rebuilding of Hannover soon began and the city was made part of new state (Land) of Lower Saxony in 1946.

Site-Seeing
Hannover is literally packed with numerous sights and attractions. From the Old and New Town Halls to the amazing number of Castles, Churches and museums, the city has it all. Also home to the largest city forest of Europe and numerous gardens, Hannover truly is the city which will lure you easily.

Even if you have come for a fair or an exposition, a small trip to explore the city is must.

Herrenhauser Garden:
Originally a Palace Garden (the Wallmoden Palace, a little remains of which is left now), the Herrenhausen Gardens are the vast green area lapping many different variety of gardens.

A symmetrical Baroque landscape named the Great Garden (Grosser Garten) was laid out at the end of 17th century. It includes the oldest Hedge Theater in Europe, enormous fountain 70m (230ft) high and ornamental flowerbeds. On the other hand is this former herbal garden named the Berggarten now featuring a botanical collection of more than 12,000 different plants. Last but not the least is the 19th century Georgengarten. This is a romantic ‘English’ Garden that was constructed in the honor of George IV.

Hosting several festivals, Baroque fireworks and theater performances particularly during the summer months makes the garden one of the most popular attractions of the city.

In the remains of the palace of the Herrenhauser Garden lies The Wilhelm-Busch-Museum/German Museum for Caricature & Critical Drawing featuring a collection of work by German satirical artist Wilhem Busch and exhibitions by contemporary cartoonists.

Location: Herrenhauser Strasse

Royal Hunting Lodge Springe:
Located to the North of 'Kleiner Deister' hills, the Royal Hunting Lodge Springe was a castle made by the king of Hannover in the years of 1838-42. During the hunting season the Hanovrian royal family used to reside in this castle.

The royal hunting district was the 'Saupark', which was surrounded by a wall in 1835. Today the renovated lodge house displays of hunted and local wildlife.

Location: Kleiner Deister

Old Town Hall:
Situated on the edge of Old Town, the Old Town Hall is perhaps the face of original Hannover. The square is accumulation of old remaining buildings that were damaged during World War II but were rebuild.

Originally built some 100 years back, it is a fine example of Northern German Brickstone Gothic. The oldest part of the area consists of the Schmiedestrasse (Blacksmith Street); the later wing next to the market was erected on the foundations of the 13th century trade hall. An another adjacent wing in the Koebelinger Street is called the Chemists Wing (Apothekenflugel), because it was the location of the Town Hall's pharmacy.

Standing beautifully in the midst of contrasts of the historic buildings and modern restaurants and shops, the Old Town hall is one of the must see location of Hannover.

Location: Old Town

Sprengel Museum of Modern Art:
In 1968, Dr. Bernhard Sprengel gave his extensive collection of modern art to the city of Hannover. He also donated a considerable sum of money for the construction of a museum and eventually Sprengel Museum of Modern Art was opened in 1979 and extended in 1992.

Besides the Sprengel collection, the museum also possesses objects of art owned by the city and the federal state of Lower Saxony making it one of the most important centers of modern art.

Instead of encyclopedical structuring, the way of exhibition of the museum puts focus on certain styles such as German expressionism, French cubism, abstract art after the Second World War and movements like Minimal Art, Informel, Nouveau Realisme, Concept Art and Postminimal Art.

Today the museum is a unique place where the public interacts with the atmosphere of art. With its characteristic openness, Sprengel museum has become a place of meeting and communication.

Location: Kurt-Schwitters-Platz

Church of Idensen:
The old church of Idensen is not just a church but something very extraordinary. It is said that Bishop Sigward of Minden (1120-40) made this Romanesque church as his private church.

He installed four altars and enthroned it to St. Ursula and the Eleven Thousand Virgins. The inner walls were decorated with fresco paintings by well-known painters of the time in Byzantine style.

The outer walls of the church are arranged with Deister sandstone and the church tower with the stork’s nest.

Location: Niedersachsen