Hannover - Altes Rathaus

With more than 500.000 inhabitants Hannover is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony.

Hannover was founded in medieval times on the east bank of the River Leine. It was a small village of ferrymen and fishermen. It became a comparatively large town in the 13th century, receiving town privileges in 1241, owing to its position at a natural crossroads. It was connected to the Hanseatic League city of Bremen by the Leine and was situated north-west of the Harz mountains so that east-west traffic passed through it.

In the 14th century the main churches of Hanover were built, as well as a city wall with three city gates.

Between 1714 and 1837 three kings of Great Britain were concurrently also Electoral Princes of Hanover.

As an important railway and road junction and production centre, Hannover was a major target for strategic bombing during World War II. More than 90% of the city centre was destroyed in a total of 88 bombing raids. So today Hannover lacks it´s medieval heart. Only a few buildings got rebuilt and restored.

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The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) was the first town hall of the city of Hannover. It is Hannover´s oldest secular building, erected in the Brick Gothic style.

The erection of the building started in 1410. But it underwent several reconstructions and extensions. The original first floor became today's basement due to late medieval fills. In 1844, a renovation of the wings took place and one half-timbered wing of the 16th century was demolished and replaced by what is now nicknamed the "Doge's Palace", which houses the registry office.

When the old town hall was to be demolished at the end of the 19th century, a citizens' initiative was formed. The building was ultimately spared. It was renovated from 1877 to 1891, restoring it to the assumed condition from the time it was built, as this was considered a "pure" architectural style.

The air raids on Hanover in 1943 led to the partial destruction of the building complex. Restorations took place in 1953 and in 1964 the show gable on the west side was reconstructed.