The city of Henry the Lion combines tradition and modernity. Alongside the former mediaeval marketplace and Romanesque buildings, you will nowadays also find the glass-roofed pedestrianised passages of the shopping area. For city visitors, Braunschweig represents an excellent base for tours in an interesting cultural region.

The city of some 240,000 people is situated about 60 kilometres east of the state capital Hanover. In the region around the city of Henry the Lion, there are more than a hundred Romanesque sites of interest. Braunschweig was an important city as early as the 12th century, through being chosen, owing to its central location, as his place of residence by Henry the Lion.

This paved the way for its development into a city in the middle ages. The city's appearance is still stamped by its earlier mediaeval structure. The traditional marketplace has recently been supplemented with attractive glass-roofed shopping passages and a pedestrian zone. The Burgplatz with the St Blasii cathedral is particularly interesting, as is Dankwarderode Castle, built in the Romanesque style, and surrounded by an ensemble of half-timbered houses.

The lovely green parks in the city centre, the Botanical Gardens and the extensive recreational areas outside the city are perfect to relax in and take a break.

City culture

Braunschweig grew up from five separate smaller towns during the middle ages. This structure can still be recognized today from the many squares, lined by churches and the former local Town Hall. The Burgplatz, with St. Blasii cathedral, Dankwarderode castle and the lion statue, is the most important square in the city. The rich history and the numerous art and cultural treasures, such as the Herzog Anton Ulrich museum, one of the oldest museums in Europe, mark the city’s cultural image.

Historical highlights

Mediaeval city, Henry the Lion chose Braunschweig as his royal seat. In 1671 Braunschweig was made the capital and royal seat of the state of Braunschweig. Braunschweig’s traditional role as a city of trade is anchored in its membership of the Hanseatic League from the 13th to the 17th century. The East-West trading route still forms the backbone of the shopping area.

360° panoramas: Experience Braunschweig interactively!

Braunschweig - a town that has a great deal to offer. Take a moment to make an interactive visit to one of the following sights: the "Ägidien", Old town market, "Domburgplatz", "Hagenmarkt", the Herzog Anton Museum, "Magnifriedhof", "Riddagshausen", "Schloss Richmond". Java/JavaScript will have to be activated in your browser for this purpose.

• 360°-Panoramas

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