Hanover

The State Museum of Lower Saxony houses several exhibitions on ancient history and natural history and... a gallery of European art, on more than 7,000 m² of exhibition space, as well as an ethnology department. This combination of different departments under one roof is what gives this museum its particular attraction. In the gallery, fine art extends over about 45 rooms, featuring Romantic and Impressionist works from the 19th and 20th century, as well as old masters such as Rembrandt, Dürer and Rubens. Other departments display ethnological and ancient historical exhibits. But the highlight is definitely the natural history department. The model of a dinosaur and the Vivarium with more than 2,000 indigenous and exotic fishes, amphibians and reptiles, is extremely popular. The Lower Saxony landscape environments such as mountains (Harz) and heath (Heide) are shown from a zoological, botanical, anthropological and geological perspective. In the ancient history department of the museum, there is around 200,000 years of human history on display. more

The impressive building with its high domed tower next to the Maschteich was opened in 1913 and is almost... a bit too magnificent. This, one of Hanover's most famous landmarks, has an entirely civil purpose: It is the seat of the Lord Mayor. This is where he welcomes official guests to the city, and it is also a meeting place for political committees. As you enter the huge entrance hall with its dome reaching up nearly 100 m (300 ft) you see the four models of the city showing the development of Hanover from the Middle Ages through the pre and post-war periods to the modern day. You can get to the dome gallery on the diagonal lift, which is the only one of its kind in Europe. From the viewing platform at 43 m (140 ft) you get a wonderful view over the whole city - you can even see as far as the Harz mountains on a clear day. To the east of the impressive Kuppelhalle is the Bürgersaal featuring changing exhibitions and other events. You can stop to relax at the bistro in the historic Gartensaal (southern wing of the building) with its outside terrace and wonderful views over the Maschpark with its Maschteich. more

The locals jokingly refer to the Maschsee as the "black eye" of Hanover. It was created artificially... between 1934 and 1936 within the scope of a job creation scheme, and is now the number one recreation area within easy reach of the city. It is popular with walkers and inline skaters and there are plenty of places to meet up, such as Pier 51 and the beer garden at the Insel restaurant on the eastern shore of the lake. The Maschsee beach resort on the south bank offers swimming and bathing fun for all the family. You can relax on a boat ride, or be a bit more active and hire out a pedalo. Every summer, there is the three-week Maschsee Festival, with Mediterranean-style open-air concerts, fireworks and other cultural activities. Lovers of modern art will enjoy the bright red "Hellebardier" sculpture on the north bank by Alexander Calder, donated to the city by patron of the arts Bernhard Sprengel, or they can head to the Sprengel Museum directly opposite. The most exclusive place to stay in the city is the Courtyard Hanover with a view over the Maschsee. more