The origins of the Herrenhausen Gardens date back to 1638 when Duke Georg of Calenberg had a kitchen garden established near the village of Höringehusen. When his son Johann Friedrich came to power in 1665, he renamed the town Herrenhausen and commissioned a pleasure garden roughly the size of the Great Parterre.
From 1674, the plans for the pleasure garden were probably developed with the involvement of the Italian architect Girolamo Sartorio under the supervision of court master builder Brand Westermann. Finally, in 1675, the fountain master Marinus Cadart (Cattare) was hired, who designed the Grotto and the Great Cascade.
The expansion and golden age of the baroque garden complex (1680–1755) are closely associated with the rise of the Hanoverian line of the House of Welf. Three regents shaped the heyday of the Great Garden between 1680 and 1755: Ernst August (1679–1698), who was appointed Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1692; his son Georg Ludwig, who was crowned King George I of England in 1714, and George II, who was born in Herrenhausen Palace in 1683 and kept the garden in excellent condition until his last visit in 1755.
Ernst August and his wife, Sophie of the Palatinate, continued expanding the pleasure garden his brother started. They had the gardener Martin Charbonnier, who had already laid out the park of Osnabrück Castle for them, come to Herrenhausen in 1683 to complete the northern half of the garden.
Ernst August's successor, Elector Georg Ludwig, continued the development of the gardens. His favourite project was the installation of the Great Fountain, which began around 1700 and was completed in 1720.
Under George II, the old court gardener's house was demolished between 1748 and 1751 and replaced by a massive new building designed by Friedrich Karl von Hardenberg, the first director of the newly independent construction and garden department, in collaboration with court architect Johann Paul Heumann. The Hardenberg House, which shows traits of French classicism, marks the end of the expansion of the Great Garden.
Here's a sample itinerary for a one-day trip in Hanover, visiting the Leibniz University and Herrenhausen Gardens.
Morning:
Start at Leibniz University: Start your day at the Leibniz University of Hanover, one of Germany's largest and oldest science and technology universities. The campus is dotted with historical buildings and modern structures, reflecting the evolution of education and technology over the centuries. Explore the main building, the Conti-Tower, and the beautiful library.
Visit the Welfenschloss: This former royal palace now serves as the university's main building. It is an excellent example of historicist architecture with a beautiful facade and interior. Also, don't miss the chance to visit the Welfengarten, the park surrounding the palace.
Lunch: Enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants or cafes near the university. You can find everything from traditional German fare to international cuisine.
Afternoon:
Herrenhausen Gardens: Head to the Herrenhausen Gardens after lunch. This complex consists of the Great Garden (Großer Garten), the Berggarten, the Georgengarten, and the Welfengarten. Spend the afternoon strolling through these stunning gardens, which reflect the baroque ideals of ordered nature and art.
The Great Garden: Start with the Great Garden, one of Europe's most distinguished elaborate formal gardens. Here, you can admire meticulously manicured lawns, hedges, walkways, and a beautiful fountain that shoots water 80 meters high.
The Berggarten: Next, visit the Berggarten, a botanical garden with an impressive collection of plants. Don't miss the orchid collection, the rainforest house, and the cactus house.
The Georgengarten and Welfengarten: These English-style gardens are perfect for a stroll. They're also home to the Wilhelm Busch Museum and the Leibniz Temple.
Evening:
- Dinner: After a day of exploring, have dinner at one of the restaurants near the gardens. You could also opt for a meal in the city centre, just a short tram ride away. Here's a sample itinerary for a one-day trip in Hanover, visiting the Leibniz University and Herrenhausen Gardens.
Enjoy your day in Hanover!
