Hanover

City on the Leine

The central location of the city of Hanover characterised its history from the outset. It was founded in the early Middle Ages as a small village settlement on the elevated – and therefore flood-free – terrace of the River Leine (Honovere = high bank). Next to it was situated an important river crossing, where two long-established major roads crossed.

In the late Middle Ages the small settlement became a small market town that soon received its city charter and was sold to the royal house of the Guelphs. In 1241 the Guelphic Duke "Otto the Child" issued a city charter, which is the earliest mention of the city of Hanover. At that time, Hanover was already a lively centre characterised by confident craftsmen and tradesmen.

In the 14th Century the city was fortified with a solid wall. Just three gates linked it to the outside world: the Leintor, the Aegidientor and the Steintor. Also dating from this period are the three Gothic churches - Aegidienkirche, Marktkirche and Kreuzkirche, of which the first two were built on structures of older buildings. One hundred years later, the Town Hall was built next to the Marktkirche, now known as the Old Town Hall, which was the centre of the city’s power for centuries.

The house of the Guelphs continued to have a great influence on the history of the city. In the 17th Century they made Hanover their residence. Georg I. Ludwig became the Elector of Hanover and in 1714 he became King of England. The British royal family, the Windsors, is also descended from him.

In 19th Century Hanover began to grow rapidly. The Ernst-August-Stadt was established between the Station and the Old Town. Much trade, business and services were concentrated here and it therefore became the new city centre. At the end of the 19th Century Hanover also experienced a powerful industrial boom around the time the German Empire was founded. The construction of the Mittellandkanal (canal) and later the motorway connected the old junction of Hanover with modern transport networks.

The Second World War marked a major setback in the city’s development: in 1945, almost two thirds of the buildings lay in ruins or were burnt out and many people were homeless. There were many refugees as well. It was a hard time, but after 6.3 million cubic metres of rubble was cleared, work began on the reconstruction of the city.

Hanover recovered quicker than one would have thought. A modern city was built upon the rubble. Since then, it has remained a city in the green, a federal state capital with important cultural institutions, good shopping facilities and events of national importance.

Hanover: More than trade fairs

Anyone visiting Hanover for reasons other than business and trade fairs should let him/herself be enchanted by the charm of the narrow streets in a wander around the Old Town. The Old Town Hall dating from the 15th Century is decorated with magnificent Gothic gables and friezes. Also part of the Old Town is the 14th Century Marktkirche to the right of the Old Town Hall, which is the southernmost example of a Northern German brick Gothic style church.

Anyone wishing to escape the hectic life of the city should seek out Hanover’s green lungs. The Herrenhäuser Gärten are among Germany’s most beautiful and largest Baroque gardens.



And then there is Hanover Zoo too. As an EXPO Project (EXPOnat Hannover Zoo – Exhibit Hanover Zoo), Hanover Zoo presented a completely new concept of the zoo as an experience and meeting place. With new attractions like the Gorilla Mountain and the Jungle Palace, Hanover Zoo sets an example as a world of adventure that is fair to animals, attractive, and true to life.

Centre of global trade

Deutsche Messe AG, based in Hanover, is now one of the world’s leading trade fair organisers. The company’s core business is the hosting of major international specialist trade fairs at the Hanover trade fair centre and at selected trade fair centres abroad. Held every year, HANNOVER MESSE is the world’s most important technology trade fair. More than 6,000 exhibitors from 60 countries will once again present their technological innovations for all sectors of industry in grounds measuring around 200,000 m² from 11 to 15 April 2005.

Hanover is also a university town: With 23,000 students, the university is the biggest in Lower Saxony. It offers more than 60 subjects for study, ranging from natural sciences and engineering sciences, via arts and social sciences, through to law and economics. The city also has several technical colleges and other colleges.