The Royal Gardens in Hannover Herrenhausen are considered to be one of the most beautiful garden parks in Europe. Originating back more than 300 years, they are an expression of garden art in its finest form. The Gardens were originally planned as a pleasure garden for the royal court, were laid down by the Electress Sophie from 1676-1714 and today cover an area of 135 hectares. She was once heard to say ‘The Garden is my life’.
Some highlights about Herrenhausen Gardens, in Hannover (Germany)
Herrenhäuser Str. 4, 30419
Hannover, Germany
Coordinates: 52.390439, 9.704021
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Web: herrenhaeuser-gaerten.de
Email: herrenhaeuser-gaerten@hannover-stadt.de
Phone: +49 (0) 511 34000
Access from the provincial capital:
Bus, Train, Subway, Car
Access from the nearest place to the site:
The gardens are signposted on the B6 road into Hannover from the "Herrenhausen" exit on the A2 motorway. The address is Herrenhäuser Straße, 30419 Hannover. The local tram numbers 4 and 5 and bus service number 136 stop close to the Gardens, the stations are named "Herrenhäuser Gärten".
The Royal Gardens in Hanover Herrenhausen are considered to be one of the most beautiful garden parks in Europe. Originating back more than 300 years, they are an expression of garden art in its finest form. The Gardens were originally planned as a pleasure garden for the royal court, were laid down by the Electress Sophie from 1676-1714 and today cover an area of 135 hectares. She was once heard to say ‘The Garden is my life’.
This Garden is home and habitat to many rare plants and trees, the tender green rococo garden, the knotted renaissance flower beds, the historical Hedge Theatre adorned in green and gold, one of the highest fountains and one of the largest collections of orchids. All these features make the former summer residence of the Guelph a magical setting which conveys an authentic image of a royal lifestyle in former days.
The majestic flowering magnolia trees and rhododendrons in the spring, prairie perennials and grasses in the late summer, swamp and pond scenery of special interest in the winter are just a few examples of the many beautiful aspects to be admired and appreciated. In the glasshouses there are always around 800 flowering orchids and exotic plants from around the world to be seen.
Herrenhausen combines old with modern art: the Grotte (Grotte), where members of the royal court formerly took shelter from the heat of the summer sun, was converted by the famous artist Niki de Saint Phalle into a cave with figures, glass mosaic and pebble stones on the walls and ceilings; the result a blitz of colour, an amazing work of art transmitting feelings of happiness and `joie de vivre`.
The Georgengarten with its idyllic landscape garden of lawns, shrubberies, tranquil ponds and ornamental bridges is a wonderful setting for a walk to the Wilhelm Busch Museum for Caricature and Drawing Art.
The Palace was destroyed during the Second World War. Recently reconstructed, with a façade faithful to the original construction, it now serves as a modern congress centre with integrated museum restoring once more the architectural centre point of the Herrenhausen Gardens. The renowned Galerie with its fresco adorned ballroom and the unique historical hedge theatre are further evidence to the former glamorous lifestyle of the royal court.
The summer residence of the Royal House of Hanover was destroyed in the Second World War. Now it has been rebuilt on the original site to the original plans and filled with life for modern times. Only the side wings of the Palace, which are connected by an underground corridor with one another, are open to visitors to the gardens.
Here in Herrenhausen Palace Museum, Hannover’s Historical Museum provides information on the era of Baroque absolutism, on the importance of Hannover around 1700 and beyond. It also looks at the polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and the legendary Electress Sophie and the period of personal union with England. From 1714 to 1837 the electorate of Hanover and Great Britain was ruled by kings from Hannover.
Type of Historical Garden: Baroque Garden (Grosser Garten), Botanical Garden (Berggarten), Landscape Garden (Georgengarten)