Germany Has More to Offer Than Chocolate

I do not deny that Germany produces some of the best chocolate in the world. It is so good that I devoted one very heavy carry-on bag solely to chocolate and Haribo gummies (because like the title insinuates Germany makes other good snacks). Looking past my stomach though, Germany, or as it's affectionately called by its natives Deutschland, has some amazing cities and sites to visit.

My not so impartial view is that Hannover, Germany is one of the most underrated and best cities to visit. Located in the northwestern corner of Germany in the state of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Hannover is the home to beautiful gardens and quirky statues.

Der Rote Faden (The Red Thread):

Video Courtesy of Discover Hannover

On the streets of Hannover, a red line is painted which takes those who walk it all over the city to 36 different remarkable sites. This self-tour is a must do because it is a free and easy attraction that enables tourists to get a better feel of what the city of Hannover is all about. Located below are some of the sights found on the tour and in other parts of Hannover.

Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall):

Looking at this building you would have a hard time calling this the "new" town hall. Built in 1913, this magnificent building is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Hannover.  You can visit the lobby of the Town Hall free of charge and be awed by the remarkable architecture. Miniature models of the city of Hannover depict what the city looked like over different eras. The post World War II model stands in stark contrast to the others, depicting the devastation Hannover suffered from repeated bombings. For a small fee, you can take a perlious elevator which follows a curved track to the top of the Rathaus to get a bird's eye view of Hannover.

Oldest model of Hannover, 1689

Model of Hannover, 1945

View from the top of the Neues Rathaus

Aegidienkirche:

This old church was destroyed during an air-raid on the city in 1943. Unlike other churches in the city, it was never refurbished to stand as a memorial for World War II. Only the walls, bell tower, and a few panes of stained glass remain while the roof is noticeably missing. Visiting this must-see attraction makes you contemplate about the ramifications of war.

View inside Aegidienkirche

Nanas:

Nana statues found at Koenigsworther Platz

On a happier note, Hannover is littered with these strange colorful statues called Nanas. Created by Niki de Saint Phalle, these luminous and curvy statues are an interesting attraction. From my experience, it can take a few moments to distinguish what bump is the head and what bump is the other parts. You can even make a game out of it with your friends. While Nanas can be found all over Hannover, the most famous location is at the Koenigsworther Platz where three statues can be found side by side.

Herrenhausen Gartens (Herrenhausen Gardens):

Image from the Grosser Garten

Not found on the Red Thread, but easily accessible by train or car, these stunning gardens are a must see. The famous gardens are actually made up of three different pieces: the Grosser Garten (Big Garden), the Georgengarten (George Garden), and the Berggarten (Mountain Garden). Children 12 and under can enter free during the summer season. For adults, a ticket for all three gardens only costs 8 euros. When visiting this site if you are pressed for time, I recommend only visiting the Grosser Garten as it is the most visually stunning. If you happen to make your visit during a special week in July, you should go to the Kleines Fest in the Great Garden. International performers from all over the world descend on the gardens to bring you everything from comedy acts to acrobatic performances. The evening ends with a firework show wonderfully timed to Beethoven.

The Grosser Garten

The Georgengarten

The Berggarten

The sites mentioned here are only a few of the magnificent place you can visit if you find yourself in Hannover, Germany.