Marktkirche

The Marktkirche is the glittering highlight of Hanover's old town. Alongside the Old Town Hall, the church, built in the 14th century, is considered the southernmost showpiece of North German brick Gothic architecture.

Hanover once expanded from here, where merchants and craftsmen lived. When the tower had only reached half of its planned height during construction, the empty city treasury put an end to the planned flight of fancy: "The builders were tired and fell ill in the Seckel", writes the chronicle. Without further ado, a shortened spire was added for financial reasons - which was so popular that it was copied by several others. After its destruction in the Second World War, the Marktkirche was rebuilt in 1952 in the historical style. The west portal was designed by sculptor Gerhard Marcks and contains motifs from the saddest chapter in German history.

What even well-informed Hanoverians don't know: The German Michel is buried in the Marktkirche. He actually existed. Johann Michael von Obentraut fought in the Thirty Years' War at the head of a German-Danish army against the general Tilly and was mortally wounded on October 25, 1625. Knight Obentraut was nicknamed "the German Michel".