The Herrenhausen Gardens is one of the most beautiful landscape complexes in Europe. Year-round, it attracts tourists from all over the world: the most sophisticated travelers compare it with Versailles and other famous gardens.
The Royal Gardens consist of four parts, each of which is especially beautiful and has its own peculiarity. To visit Herrenhausen, it’s worth allotting enough time to fully enjoy the splendor of fragrant flowers, listen to bird songs, make friends with flying butterflies and walk the paths famous all over the world and by millions of tourists.
History of the Royal Gardens
The beginning of the complex was laid by the Great Garden, created in the XVII century by the efforts of Sofia of Hanover. The girl hired the best gardener of the country, Martin Charbonne, who created real magic: planted outlandish flowers and hedges, erected statues. Herrenhausen Castle was the center of the Great Garden.
The main attraction of the Great Garden at that time was the fountain built in the entrance group. Its stream rose to a height of 30 meters, which was a real miracle for that time. Today the height of the fountain is 72 meters.
The incredible beauty of the landscape is revealed from a bird's eye view:
- Alleys and trails that are in strict geometry
- The theater of the XVII century, which is hidden behind a hedge
- Green boxes and decorative flower beds
- Gallery decorated with frescoes.
What to see?
- Mountain garden. The original function is the garden, broken in 1666, where greens were grown for the royal table. Gradually, the garden grew and turned into an open-air Botanical garden. Today, exotic plants, vegetables and fruits are grown here.
- St. George's Garden, where at the end of the XVIII century a magnificent palace was built to store royal values. Today in the palace is the German Museum of Cartoons and Graphics by William Bush. To this day, the Frederick bridge and the Leibniz Temple built in the garden in 1840 have survived.
- Guelph Garden, located on the territory of the University of Hanover. Here is the building of the educational institution, in front of the entrance of which the sculpture “The Horse of Lower Saxony” was installed.
- Grozer Garten is a grotto that is decorated with shells, crystal, glass, minerals and mosaics from different types of glass.
Interesting Facts
- Big Garden Square - 50 hectares
- Grozer Garten - a popular venue for music festivals and concerts
- The historical building of the theater of the XVII century in the summer is used for its intended purpose
- The Green Garden conservatory has the largest collection of palm trees in Europe. Here is the mausoleum of King Ernst Augustus I
- At the end of the 19th century, the French wanted to completely cut down the Royal Gardens. A local baker stood up for them, having paid 3,000 talers - a monument was erected in gratitude for saving the gardens at the entrance.
The facility belongs to gardens.
