CC0 Francesco Carovillano

Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen 

A jewel of Baroque garden design 

Gaze through the golden gate and feel like royalty. What splendour! Precisely trimmed box hedges, petunias and geraniums arranged into ornate patterns, and impressive works of art await visitors. 

The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen in Hanover rank among the finest and most significant Baroque gardens in the world. The gentle trickle of fountains and birdsong fill the air: wide gravel paths lead to vibrantly planted flowerbeds, mazes and promenades lined with meticulously pruned trees. A stroll through the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen evokes the experience of royal promenades of days gone by – a place for leisurely walks and quiet enjoyment. At the heart of the ensemble lies the Große Garten (Great Garden): alongside its intricately designed floral patterns, visitors will find sculptures, fountains and the majestic water jet of the Great Fountain. One particularly striking feature is the grotto, transformed by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle into a colourful dreamscape of mosaics and her famous Nana sculptures. 

The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen comprise more than just the Große Garten. The Berggarten is equally captivating, with its collection of botanical treasures and blooming orchids. Designed in the style of an English landscape park, the Georgengarten completes the picture with its romantic pond and the Leibniz Temple. 

The Große Garten is a popular venue for events – from cabaret festivals to the International Fireworks Competition, it provides a truly unique backdrop.  

From Cabbages to Culture 

Once a kitchen garden, now a masterpiece  

Visitors wandering through the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen today would never guess their original purpose. In 1638, Duke George of Calenberg commissioned the grounds not as an ornamental showpiece, but as a kitchen garden planted with beans, cabbages and herbs to supply the Hanoverian court. Those days are long gone – today, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen are a celebrated work of art in their own right. 

 

© Martin Elsen
CC0 DZT, Francesco Carovillano

The ‘Neuschwanstein of the North’

Marienburg Castle  

Royal grandeur extends beyond the state capital: perched atop a small hill stands Marienburg Castle. This imposing structure was once the summer residence of the Kings of Hanover and is widely regarded as a true fairy-tale castle. It’s well worth a visit, rounding off the picture of royal magnificence that once defined Hanover (please note: the castle is currently only accessible from the outside). 

 

© Patrice Kunte

Besucherinformation 
Herrenhäuser Gärten Verwaltung
Herrenhäuser Str. 4
30419 Hannover

Phone: +49 511 168-47374

Website

More parks and gardens in Niedersachsen