Celle Travel Guide

The ducal palace, the most important building of the town dates back to the 13th century. In the 14th century the former fortification became a royal seat. As of the year 1530, with the advent of the Reformation under Duke Ernest the Confessor the castle was rebuilt into a Renaissance palace. During the reign of Duke George William (1665-1705) and his spouse Eléonore d'Olbreuse extensive rebuildings were realized. These have given the palace its present baroque appearance. From 1772 until 1775, after her divorce from Christian VII, Queen Caroline Mathilde of Denmark lived in the east wing of the palace. In 1839-40 the palace was rebuilt into a summer residence for the Hanoverian court.

The palace chapel, consecrated in 1485 and rebuilt after the Reformation, is today the only intact early protestant court chapel in Germany and an important indication of North German renaissance. Around 1675 the palace theatre was built which is today the oldest baroque theatre of Germany to play with its own company.

From 1978 until 1981 the premises of the last reigning duke and the duchess were restored and furnished in the style of the 18th century. Changing exhibitions can be seen in the Gothic Hall of the palace, and in the east wing of the palace there is a department of the Bomann Museum which is dedicated to the history of the kingdom Hanover. The historical palace rooms and the palace chapel can only be visited on a guided tour.

The Bomann-Museum is one of the most impressive and largest regional museums in northern Germany. Its collection emphasises the cultural history of Lower Saxony. The charm of this establishment, which is situated opposited the Ducal Palace, lies in its exhibits which have been installed around 1900: a completely equipped farmhouse, country and town rooms of the 19th century and the Hall of Honour of the Hannoverian army. The significant collection of urban and rural textiles is unique in northern Germany. Courtly cultural history is reflected in the Tansey Collection, one of the leading collections of miniatures in the world. The Eberhard Schlotter Foundation Celle presents contemporary art.

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm.

Admission: 5 €, children under 14 years free.

To the rear of the building in the street Im Kreise 23 - 24 is the synagogue of Celle. Built in 1740, it is the oldest Jewish synagogue in northern Germany. Among the few items remaining from the original baroque prayer hall flooded with light are the Torah ark with its detailed embellishments, the balcony, used as women's section in the pre-war Orthodox congregation, and the alms box.

Some articles in the synagogue originate from Holocaust survivors of the nearby Bergen-Belsen concentration camp who, until their departure, mostly to Israel, used the synagogue for several years as their place of worship after the liberation of the concentration camp in April 1945.

In the synagogue today, events are held by the Celle Association for Christian-Jewish Cooperation (Gesellschaft für Christlich-Jüdische Zusammenarbeit), established in 1980, and by the Celle Jewish Community (Jüdische Gemeinde Celle) established in 1997. The small rooms on the front street, formerly used for the Jewish school, now hold a small museum with a permanent exihibition entitled Traces of Jewish Life in Celle as well as temporary exhibits of Jewish history and religion.

Hours: The Synagogue is open to the public Tuesday to Thursday 3 - 5pm, Friday from 9 - 11am and Sunday from 11am - 12pm. Entrance is free.

Celle's 700-year old Altstadt, or Old Town, is a reminder of the history here. Over 500 half-timbered houses can be found here. The most interesting street is Zöllnerstraße which dates from 1292. Here you can enjoy street cafes and small shops and many wonderfully old buildings. In the square is a horseshoe set into the floor. Duke Otto the Magnanimous is said to have been fatally wounded here in 1471, and touching the horseshoe may bring you luck.

The stud farm was founded by Elector George II of Hanover on 27 July 1735. Tours of the farm are available, and a special experience is the annual stallion parades which take place during the last two weekends of September and the first weekend in October.

Tours outside of parade days are Monday - Friday 8:30 - Noon and 1:00 - 3:30 pm. Saturday 8:30 - Noon. No tours from February 15 - July 15.