Neues Rathaus

The New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) in Hannover is the stately administrative center of the Lower Saxony state capital and houses the offices of the mayor as well as the city authorities. The imposing Neo-Renaissance building was constructed between 1901 and 1913 and today forms the architectural centerpiece of the Maschpark on the southern edge of the city center. The square in front of the north wing, which was recently renamed Platz der Menschenrechte (Human Rights Square), was laid out specifically for the building, while the south side faces the Maschteich pond. The building, which rests on thousands of beech piles and is made of hard sandstone, was designed by Hermann Eggert. During construction, Gustav Halmhuber took over the interior work and gave the interior a distinct Art Nouveau character.

In the central town hall hall, you can view four detailed city models that illustrate Hannover's urban development from the Baroque era to the present day. A special work of art is the monumental painting "Einmütigkeit" (Unanimity) by Ferdinand Hodler, which adorns the so-called Hodler Hall and takes grassroots democracy as its theme. On the facade facing the square there is an extensive historical frieze depicting municipal autonomy and historical figures. In the former Craftsmen's Hall, a three-part Art Nouveau mosaic with the motto "Handwerk hat goldenen Boden" ("A trade is worth its weight in gold") is particularly striking. The original bronze statues of emperors were melted down in World War II, after the building had been badly damaged in the air raids.

Probably the best-known attraction for tourists is the town hall dome, which at just under 100 meters high offers sweeping views over the city and, on a clear day, as far as the Harz Mountains. Access is via a unique curved elevator that follows the curvature of the dome in a parabolic arc, shifting horizontally by more than eight meters along the way. This elevator, which went into service in 1913 and was modernized in 2008, is one of a kind in Europe, because unlike conventional inclined elevators, it changes its angle of inclination during the ride. Once you arrive at the observation platform, you can experience the historic architecture and the city skyline from an extraordinary perspective.