The old town of Braunschweig – better known to English speakers as Brunswick – is the second largest city in the Land of Lower Saxony on the River Oker. In the old town, some enclaves of historic buildings testify to the city’s rich history, while the areas destroyed in the Second World War have been largely rebuilt as close as possible to their original plans. Highlights of a visit include the old castle square and cathedral, as well as numerous fascinating museums, tourist attractions and festivals.
1 Cathedral of St. Blasius
The Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral of St. Blaise (Blaise), the earliest large vaulted building in Lower Saxony, was completed in 1175 during the reign of Henry the Lion. In the nave is the tomb of Henry and his wife Mathilde from 1250, a masterpiece of late Romanesque sculpture of the Saxon school. In front of the choir, under a copper dating from 1707, Emperor Otto IV and his wife Beatrix are buried (Otto died in 1218). In the high choir with its Romanesque murals, a four-and-a-half meter high, seven-armed candelabra is presented by Hendrik de Leeuw. The oldest and most important item in the cathedral is the Imerward Crucifix from 1150, a relic from the first cathedral built on the site. Guided tours in English are available.
Address: Domplatz 5, 38100 Braunschweig
Official site: www.braunschweigerdom.de/dom/layout_storage/index_en.php
Read also: Murder and Majesty: Top 10 Highlights of Canterbury Cathedral
2 Burgplatz and the Brunswick Lion
In the heart of Brunswick lies Burgplatz, probably the best place to start your visit. Here you will find the Cathedral of St. Blasius, as well as the beautiful Burg Dankwarderode, a small castle built around 1175 by Henry de Leeuw (a two-storey wing was added in 1887). In the center of the square is a beautiful bronze lion, presented by Henry the Lion in 1166 as a symbol of his power (the original is in the castle’s museum). Another highlight is Hunegrotesches Hausbuilt in 1536 and now serves as a guild hall.
Address: Burgplatz, 38100 Braunschweig
3 Burg Dankwarderode
Completed in 1175, Burg Dankwarderode is a small castle on Burgplatz that was set up by the legendary Henry the Lion, one of the most powerful German princes. It is a picturesque building, and notably devoid of defenses, as not long afterwards it was surrounded by other structures, such as the cathedral. Today the castle is home to the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museumfounded in 1754, with a fascinating permanent collection of medieval objects.
Address: Burgplatz 4, 38100 Braunschweig
4 The old town and the town hall
Another public square worth exploring in Brunswick is the Old Town, or
Altstadtmarkt. Just a few minutes walk southwest of the Burgplatz, the old market is the heart of the city’s former Hanseatic trading town, used as a street market since the 11th century. A highlight of a visit is the beautiful old town hall. Built in the 13th to 15th centuries in the Gothic style and originally used as a banquet hall, this beautiful building dominates the square and is especially beautiful when illuminated at night. Other highlights include the Church of St. Martin (Martinikirche), built in 1195; the medieval Gewandhaus (Cloth Hall) from 1591, the finest example of the Renaissance period; and the picturesque 17th-century Stechinelli-Haus.
5 Hagenmarkt
The large Hagenmarkt is another of the old and once important market squares of Brunswick. Highlights include St Catherine’s Church (Katharinenkirche), a 12th century Protestant church with a unique organ in 1980 with parts of an older Baroque organ from 1623. Outside the church Heinrichsbrunnen (Henry the Lion’s Fountain) added in 1874 and in memory of the city’s most famous prince. Another old market square of interest is the Coal market (Kohlmarkt), which features numerous old heritage houses and a beautiful 19th century fountain.
6 The Magniviertel
It sits in the heart of the cobbled Magniviertel district St. Magnus Church (Magni-Kirche), a finely restored old Protestant church dedicated in 1031. Besides the fine interior, look at the old cemetery where you will find the grave of the famous German writer and philosopher GE Lessing, buried here in 1781. Behind the church are the remains of a corner of the oldest part of Braunschweig with its many beautiful half-timbered houses. In stark contrast, the Dr. Seuss-esque Rizzi House with its bizarre, yet fascinating architectural lines (or lack thereof) and bright, multi-colored exterior. Afterwards, visit the many small boutiques and galleries, as well as the cafes and restaurants dotted around these pretty old streets.
7 Castle Richmond
A must see in Brunswick is Schloss Richmond, or Richmond Castle. Built in 1769 near the banks of the River Ocher, this perfect little palace is named after Princess Augusta’s former home in Richmond Park, England. Designed in the Baroque style, the beautiful façade is divided into differently decorated sections, providing visitors with pleasant views from every angle. Now owned by the city, it and its four-acre castle park provide a wonderful way to spend a few hours, especially if you’re open for an event or concert.
8 Staatstheater Braunschweig
Another of Braunschweig’s beautiful older buildings is the Staatstheater or Staatstheater. Able to trace its roots back to 1690, the theater is perhaps best known as the truly famous work of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faustpremiered in the early 1800s.
Address: Am Theater, 38100 Braunschweig
9 Riddagshausen Abbey
In the eastern Brunswick suburb of Riddagshausen, behind the Prinz-Albrecht-Park, is a remarkable church belonging to a former 13th-century Cistercian monastery. Founded by a courtesan to Henry the Lion in 1145, the abbey remained an important religious community until it was dissolved in 1809. Worth a visit for its surviving church and gatehouse, which houses the Cistercian Museum, it is also a good place to explore the nearby Riddagshausen nature reserve, especially if you enjoy beautiful walks and nature walks.
10 Natural History Museum
The natural history museum in Braunschweig – the Naturhistorisches Museum – is located near the city’s university. Founded in 1754, highlights of the many interesting exhibits include displays of dinosaurs, birds and sea creatures. In total, the museum’s collections contain more than 3,000 mammal specimens, 50,000 birds (and eggs), as well as numerous skeletons and fossils. A large aquarium is also on site and contains many exotic species of fish and crustaceans.
Address: Pockelsstraße 10, 38106 Braunschweig
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