Braunschweig

Historic architecture and city history

Burgplatz is considered the heart of Braunschweig. A closer look at medieval architecture leads to St. Blasius Cathedral: Henry the Lion had it built between 1173 and 1195 as a three-aisled vaulted basilica. Its significant medieval furnishings include the 1188 Marian altar, the seven-branched candelabrum from around 1170/80, and the Imervard Cross from the second half of the 12th century. Wall paintings and the tomb of Henry the Lion and Matilda are also among them. The dates help bring several 12th-century works into focus.

Dankwarderode Castle adds another architectural period to this historical perspective. It was built around 1160 to 1175 as Henry the Lion’s palace, replacing a Brunonian complex. From 1885 to 1906, city architect Ludwig Winter had it rebuilt as a Neo-Romanesque structure in the spirit of Historicism. Its medieval origins and later reconstruction can thus be viewed as different chapters in its architectural history.

Art and city history in the museums

The Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum looks back on more than 300 years of collecting and displays paintings, applied arts and sculptures. Its exhibition features around 4,000 works of art spanning 3,000 years of art history, across 4,000 m² of space. The collection’s long history and the broad time span of the art on display offer two different points of reference.

The Städtisches Museum Braunschweig focuses more closely on the history of Braunschweig and its residents. Founded in 1861, it displays more than 270,000 exhibits across two buildings. At the Hinter Aegidien Museum, visitors can see the permanent exhibition “A Part of Us: German-Jewish Stories from Lower Saxony,” which has been open to visitors since December 9, 2021. Braunschweig’s art collections and city history thus feature as distinct museum themes.

Neighbourhoods, water and landscape

The Magniviertel is one of Braunschweig’s oldest surviving neighbourhoods. Its half-timbered houses are home to small shops and cafés. The quarter’s historic character and its smaller shopping and dining options create a different impression of the city than its architecture or museum collections.

Riddagshausen Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Braunschweig. Its natural pond landscape lies in the eastern part of the city, between Riddagshausen, Gliesmarode, Schapen and Weddel. This location gives the natural area a clear place within the city and sets it apart from the cultural attractions.

Visitors can explore Braunschweig from the water on the Oker by raft, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Raft trips are also available from May to October, including barbecue trips and guided city tours on the water. These water-based activities are therefore seasonal; if you are planning a trip, check the current dates in advance.

Events and Mumme

The Staatstheater Braunschweig’s Burgplatz Open Air presents musical theatre under the open sky. The programme changes annually and ranges from classical opera to modern musicals. As the specific performances vary from year to year, it is worth checking the programme and event dates before your trip.

A traditional weekly market is held at Altstadtmarkt on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The mummegenussmeile, by contrast, is an event weekend in November that celebrates the historical, cultural and culinary significance of Mumme as part of Braunschweig’s city history each year. The distinction is also useful when planning your dates: the market takes place on two set days each week, while the mummegenussmeile is held annually in November. In Braunschweig, you can also try dishes made with Braunschweiger Mumme, as well as Mumme beer.

Discover more destinations: Wilhelmshaven, Salzgitter and Wolfsburg.

For the broader travel overview: Lower Saxony.