Architecture, Kassel

A historic estate, which is currently being renovated. On the grounds there is a cozy café, which is not only a meeting place for students and especially walkers. http://www.hildesheim.de/staticsite/staticsite.php?menuid=822&topmenu=4

The cathedral, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, was converted and expanded changed in the 11th, 12th and 14th centuries and rebuilt after its destruction in the fifties. World-famous are the 1000-year-old rose bush at the apse and the masterful Bernwardinian bronze casts: double-winged Erztür (1015) and Christussäule (1020). http://www.hildesheim.de/staticsite/staticsite.php?menuid=167&topmenu=4

Here the city hatched from the egg in 1825. Today, the idyllic district with the Apostelkirche in the middle is the romantic heart of the city center, which keeps its seclusion a bit off the shopping streets next door. http://www.guetersloh.de/Z3VldGVyc2xvaGQ0Y21zOjIwNjE2.x4s

High above the town on the Sparrenberg hill sits imposing Sparrenburg Castle. Its mighty fortifications are located right next to one of the most beautiful ridge walks in Germany, the 156km Hermannsweg. https://www.bielefeld.de/en/attractions/sparrenburg/

Kunsthalle Bielefeld, designed by New York architect Philip Johnson and opened in 1968 as a museum and exhibition centre for international 20th century art, is a crowd-puller and one of the city’s landmarks. The famous cube-shaped modern building of red sandstone is also part of the architectural route ”Museum & Architektur”. https://www.bielefeld.de/en/attractions/museums/

On June 1st, 1695, the first foundation stone was laid for one of the few remaining 17th century city fortifications to be found in Germany. Today the Petersberg Citadel is an impressive example of European fortification construction dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. http://www.erfurt.de/ef/en/sightseeing/part2/index.html

Many visitors are quite astonished to hear that the magnificent building they are standing in front of is, actually, the "new" town hall. Its size and grand architectural style make it look more "historical", like a relict from more majestic times, when Hannover used to be a kingdom. The town hall itself was, however, ceremonially opened on 20 June 1913, after twelve years building time. "And it is all paid in cash, your Majesty", as the then Mayor of Hannover, Heinrich Tramm , proudly announced to the emperor Wilhelm II, present at the opening ceremony. The proud figure of ten million Mark was the amount the municipality was willing to pay for its new splendid building, erected upon 6026 beech-tree piles. It was designed by the architects Eggert and Halmhuber. The top of the dome of the New Town Hall reaches 97,73 m (320 ft.). The diagonal lift in the town hall's dome is unique in the world. At a 17-degree angle it covers the 43 metres up to the gallery at the top of the dome. From this vantage point one can enjoy a marvellous view of the whole city, even as far as the Harz Mountains when visibility is good. https://www.visit-hannover.com/en/Sightseeing-City-Tours/Sightseeing/Tourist-Highlights/The-New-Town-Hall

The Great Garden is one of the most important baroque gardens in Europe, captivating tourists from all over the world. The main attraction here is the recently rebuilt Herrenhausen Palace, home to the new Herrenhausen Palace Museum. The Garden itself presents a dazzling array of romantic fountains, exotic plants and striking sculptures. Events such as the international fireworks competition and the Small Festival in the Great Garden regularly attract large numbers of visitors. The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen are Hannover's most famous attraction, a reflection of aristocratic savoir-vivre for more than 300 years. The centrepiece is the 17th-century Great Garden, one of the best-preserved baroque gardens in Europe. Be sure to visit Herrenhausen Palace there. Rebuilt to its original splendour and boasting cutting-edge, multimedia facilities, the palace now hosts more than 160 events every year as a scientific venue and innovation hotspot for the whole of Lower Saxony – very much in the tradition of a famous former resident: the universal scholar Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. The Great Garden is a place to lose oneself in, to marvel at the magnificent Great Fountain, which is 82m high (the largest of its type in Europe) and the Grand Cascade, to be enchanted by artist Niki de Saint Phalle's magically decorated grotto. And during the annual international firework competition, to watch transfixed as world-class pyrotechnics transform the sky above into a dazzling sea of trailing sparks. https://www.visit-hannover.com/en/Press/Press-Information-sorted-by-topic/Royal-Gardens-of-Herrenhausen

Prince Wilhelm von Hessen-Kassel decided to make a spa in 1777 and did so by forming a romantic park, using money earned by mercenaries sent to help the English against the Americans. https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/wilhelmsbad_hanau

Located in the heart of Hanau's historic district, the German Goldsmiths' House was built as the city hall on the Altstädter Markt in 1537-1538 in the style of the late Renaissance Period. http://www.goldschmiedehaus.com/en/goldschmiedehaus/en-historie

In the middle of the historic old town of Steinheim lies the castle with the Museum of Prehistory and Prehistory. The exhibition presents the first human traces in the Hanau region, testimonies of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Roman times as well as relics of the early Middle Ages. http://www.hanau-neu-erleben.de/sw/sehenswert/museen/068108/index.html

This former high-rise plant built by the Union Brewery is now a centre for art and creativity. One of the city’s most popular landmarks, it will be transformed by 20th and 21st century art, research, education and media art into a unique innovation centre as of May 2010. https://www.dortmund-tourismus.de/en/discover-dortmund/culture/industrial-culture/poi/dortmund-u.html

Behind the historical facade of the previous Frankfurt Opera House lies one of the most outstanding concert halls of major importance, way beyond the borders of Germany. The visitor is offered a high-quality program in all sections of music: classical music, jazz and world-wide famous musical and show productions. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Event-venues/Old-Opera-House

Frankfurt's main Protestant church (1678-1681), formerly a vestal cloister and hospital, 1343/1353 under the charge of the Teutonic Order. Protestant parish church since 1526. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Churches/Katharinenkirche

It now represents a classic example of the traditional half-timbered architectural style of times gone by. Every single house bears its own name. In the 17th century, the corner house, named "Grosser Engel", became the home of Frankfurt's first bank. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/Roemerberg-Ostzeile

This former Patrician Villa, featuring a three-gabled Roof, has served as Frankfurt's city hall since 1405. It continues to be the seat of the city's Lord Mayor to this day. The city's first town hall was soon too small to accommodate the needs of this flourishing city. It was torn down in 1415 prior to commencement of construction on the cathedral tower. The city council was initially accorded the right to build a new town hall in 1329. Finally, in 1405, the council decided to buy two existing houses instead. These two houses, named "Römer" and "Goldener Schwan", have served as the home of Frankfurt's town hall ever since. Large halls were constructed on the ground level and made available for lease during trade fairs. The Kaisersaal, or "Emperor's Hall", was built around 1612. The town hall complex formerly comprised 13 buildings. There are equally many hypotheses as regards to the origin of the name. One of them states that the merchant who lived there until the building was purchased by the city transacted the majority of his business with Italy, and in particular, Rome. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/Roemer-City-Hall

The Old Nikolai Church (Alte Nikolaikirche) belongs to the famous group on Frankfurt’s Römerberg. Visitors enjoy its harmonic carillon with 47 bells. This small church, dating back to the 13th century, presumably served as a royal chapel for Stauferian nobility. First official mention dates back to 24 September 1264. The chapel may well have served as electoral site for kings and parliaments. The church was sanctified in the name of St Nicolas of Bari in 1290. Later, the church became the preferred place of worship for the city's councillors. A Gothic-style gallery was added in 1476, from which the councilmen could watch the festivities. Two significant tombstones are located in the interior, honouring Siegfried zum Paradies and Katharina Netheha zum Wedel. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/reconstructed-old-town/Alte-Nikolaikirche

The Frankfurt Goethe House, birthplace of Germany´s most famous author and poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, was built in the typical 18th-century bourgeois style. It is decorated with period furniture and paintings, providing an authentic and striking impression of the environment in which Goethe spent his youth. The Goethe Museum, a gallery of paintings from the Goethe era, elucidates Goethe's relationship to the art and artists of his epoch. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/Frankfurt-Goethe-Museum-and-Goethe-House

The Main Tower, designed by the architect's office Schweger und Partner and completed in 2000, invites the general public to visit its rooftop observation platform, where they are met by a spectacular panoramic view of Frankfurt and the surrounding region some 200 metres above the city streets. A highlight for every urban explorer! https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/MAIN-TOWER-incl.-Observation-Platform

One of the most popular photo spots with an excellent view of Frankfurt's skyline. This famous iron and concrete footbridge, crossed by over 10,000 pedestrians every day, connects the city centre and Römerberg with Sachsenhausen on the southern banks of the Main River. The neo-Gothic-style bridge was built in 1869 according to the plans of Peter Schmick, going through several changes and modifications since then, the last of which took place in 1993. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/Eiserner-Steg

The “Dreikönigskirche”, or “Church of the Three Kings”, is currently one of three places of worship of the Three Kings parish of Sachsenhausen, the largest Protestant parish in Frankfurt with some 6,200 members. It is situated directly on the banks of the River Main. Many believe the church to be older than it actually is. In truth, it was consecrated as recently as 1881. The precursor of this neo-Gothic church was the “Dreikönigskapelle” (“Chapel of the Three Kings”), consecrated in 1340. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Churches/Dreikoenigskirche

The Archaeological Museum, formerly the Museum of Pre- and Early History, is housed in the Carmelite Church. A modern annexe designed by Joseph-Paul Kleihues has recently been added. The Archaeological Museum devotes itself to the investigation, documentation and presentation of archaeological findings of Frankfurt and its environs from pre-historic times, the Roman period, the Middle Ages and the modern era. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Archaeological-Museum

Established as a civic foundation in 1815 by the banker and businessman Johann Friedrich Städel, the Städel Museum ranks as Germany’s oldest museum foundation. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/Staedel-Museum

It is the oldest building in Celle and it is regarded as one of the most splendid Guelphic palaces in Northern Germany. http://www.celle.travel/celle-palace/the-ducal-palace.html

One of the most important examples of Renaissance art in northern Germany. The chapel was founded in the 15th century, and soon after the Reformation – some time between 1565 and 1576 – it was entirely refurbished by Duke William the Younger. http://www.celle.travel/celle-palace/palace-chapel.html

Celle is one of the most important residence cities in the state of Lower Saxony. For almost three centuries it was the permanent residence of the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg and therefore the seat of government in the most significant Guelphs principality. http://www.celle.travel/travel-tips/museums-in-celle/residence-museum.html

Construction on St Justin's Church began around 830, once Archbishop Otgar of Mainz had returned from Rome with the relics of St Justin. The church was completed around 850. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Churches/Justinuskirche

The route from Johannisburg Palace to the town hall is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, where traditional bars and quaint restaurants occupy pretty little half-timbered buildings. https://www.info-aschaffenburg.de/en/tourism/tourist-attractions.html

This palace, made of red sandstone, is one of the most significant and beautiful Renaissance buildings in Germany. Its unique features include the chapel (complete with Renaissance altar, pulpit and portal sculptures by Hans Juncker), the royal living quarters, the world's largest collection of architectural models made from cork, the state gallery with paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the Palace Museum of Aschaffenburg that houses works by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Christian Schad. https://www.info-aschaffenburg.de/en/tourism/tourist-attractions.html

The basilica dates back to the days of Duke Liudolf of Swabia in the 10th century and is the only church in the world dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Alexander. In 982 Aschaffenburg – and therefore the former abbey – was incorporated into Mainz and the church and monastic college came to be a dominant factor in the Mainz archbishop's choice of residence. https://www.info-aschaffenburg.de/en/tourism/tourist-attractions.html

The Wiesbaden Kurhaus is an event venue which has a rich history and also provides the modern equipment capable of transforming any convention, conference and social event into a special experience. https://www.wiesbaden.de/en/tourism/conventions/kurhaus/index.php#

The Museum Wiesbaden is one of three state museums in the State of Hesse. Lovers of art and nature as well as art fanciers with a passion for the expressionism cannot do without visiting the museum. It owns more than 100 works of the Russian painter Alexej von Jawlensky, which forms the most important Jawlensky collection in Europe. https://www.wiesbaden.de/en/culture/museum/museum-wiesbaden/index.php

The establishment of the Teutonic Order at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle in 1216 gave this historic site its name, the “Deutsches Eck” (“German Corner”). Koblenz also owes its name to the meeting point of the Rhine and the Moselle - from “Castellum apud Confluentes”, Latin for “fort at the confluence”, which over time became the current name of Koblenz. http://www.koblenz-tourism.com/culture/koblenz-attractions/deutsches-eck.html