Hildesheim Travel Guide

Kehrwiederturm
[ source: Wikipedia]

Hildesheim Overview

Hildesheim is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located in the district of Hildesheim, about 30 km southeast of Hannover (Hannover vacation rentals | Hannover travel guide) on the banks of the Innerste river, which is a small tributary of the Leine river.

Hildesheim is home to notable multinational corporations – besides many strong medium-sized companies – in Hildesheim are Blaupunkt, Bosch, Krupp, Thyssen, Fairchild and Coca-Cola.

Things to See in Hildesheim

The historic market place (Markt) was once considered one of the most beautiful market places in the world. It was reconstructed in 1984-1990 in its former splendour, after its destruction in the 1945 air raid.

The Knochenhauer-Amtshaus ("Butchers' Guild Hall"), known as a beautiful and fine specimen of half-timbered building. Originally built in 1529 and destroyed in 1945, it was reconstructed from 1987 to 1989 according to original plans. The façade is sumptuously decorated with colorful paintings and German proverbs. Today the building houses a restaurant and the City Museum.

The Town Hall, erected in the 13th century in Gothic style. Partly destroyed in 1945, it was rebuilt between 1954 and 1989.

The Tempelhaus, a late-Gothic 15th century patrician house, which today houses the tourist information office. It suffered some damage during the Second World War but was restored in 1952.

The Wedekindhaus, a 16th century patrician house, is characterized by its high, ornately carved storeys including their ledges with depictions of allegorical figures.

The Romanesque St. Mary's catholic cathedral, with its ancient bronze doors (Bernward's door) (c. 1015). The church was built in the 9th century, but almost completely destroyed in 1945; it was reconstructed soon after the war. It is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The Thousand-Year-Old Rosebush is a reputedly 1,000 years old dog rose bush, allegedly the world's oldest living rose. It continues to flourish on the wall of the Cathedral apse.

The Andreaskirche (St. Andrew's evangelical church), a 12th century church with the highest church steeple (120 m) in Lower Saxony. From the top you get an interesting view of Hildesheim and its surroundings.

Mauritiuskirche (St. Maurice's Church), a romanic church (11th century) on a hill in the west of the city in the district of Moritzberg with a beautiful cloister. The interior of the church is baroque and the tower was added in 1765. From the forest behind the church you get a beautiful view of Hildesheim with many different churches.

Steuerwald Castle (Burg Steuerwald) in the north of the city, about 3 km from the Market Place, was built 1310-1313. Its tower (25 m) was added in 1325. The chapel, dedicated to St Magdalena, was originally built in 1310 in the romanic style and transformed into a gothic chapel in 1507. Today it is used for weddings and concerts.

Marienburg Castle, 'Burg Marienburg' is in the southeast of Hildesheim, about 6 km from the Market Place. It was built 1146-1349.

Marienrode Monastery (Kloster Marienrode) is in the southwest of Hildesheim, about 6 km from the Market Place. It was founded in 1125. The gothic church was consecrated in 1462. The monastery was dissolved in 1806, but returned to the Catholic Church in 1986. Since 1988, it has again been operated by nuns. Near the monastery there is a beautiful lake and a tall windmill. The area is specially beautiful at cherry blossom time.

[ source: wikipedia ]

Hildesheim may be reached from Autobahn A7, which links Kassel, Göttingen and Hannover, and routes 1, 6, 243 and 494.