Braunschweig is one of the largest cities between Hannover and Leipzig, where about 250,000 people live. The city is also known as Brunswick, and it is located on the Oker river, which connects to the North Sea via the rivers Aller and Weser. It was founded by the Duke of Saxony and Henry the Lion, a member of the Welf Dynasty.
Braunschweig is renowned for its asparagus gingerbread and sausages and has a leading sugar warehouse. There are many historic buildings surrounded by Castle Square, including the 12th-century, Brunswick Cathedral, Museums and churches.
20. Alte Waage
The Alte Waage is the largest and most imposing half-timbered house in the city, with its height of 21 m. It is a free-standing building with a mezzanine between the ground floor and the two upper floors, crowned by a roof with three roof cores that served as storage hatches. In 1534, it was built as a warehouse and weighing house.
On top of the Alte Waage, there are three enormous windows with portals to the storage room. Moreover, the house has two large doors, through which trucks needed to drive in and out to weigh their loads before they were permitted to offer them in the city.
Today, the Adult Education Center Braunschweig can be found there and some beautiful beams in the roof vault.
19. St. Katharinen church
The Gothic St. Katharinen Church stands to the east of Hagenmarkt and can still be counted as part of the inner area of the city of Braunschweig. The church, which was severely damaged in World War II, has been restored entirely and of course, worth a visit.
Above the Bohlway or from the double tower overlooking Langen Stray, you can see the uneven and crooked looking church. For a wonderful concert – Choir, orchestra, and soloist have created an outstanding sound experience. There is an organ machine in the church where you can insert a coin, and the organ plays a piece of your choice, which is very beautiful.
The church is within strolling distance of the tram station and has a passage appropriate for the debilitated. Also, the church usually is open by the Protestant parish at fixed times, which are indicated on a board at the door. Here, you can spend a quiet, relaxed and good time in this beautiful House of God.
18. Hagenmarkt
The Hagenmarkt is a beautiful fountain of Henry the Lion at the center and holds a model of the Brunswick Cathedral. In 1874 the sculpture and the fountain were built. It is notable that the predecessors of the State Theater stood here. The Opera House has long existed on Hagenmark, but Goeth’s Faust premiered here.
The place is well reconstructed, with modern benches, eye-popping floors with different-colored LED lighting, and conversely, stylish antique lanterns.
There is a small green spot that invites you to always take a little break with your fountain in summer, whether for ice cream and a delicious snack from a nearby butcher shop.
17. Kohlmarkt
The Kohlmarkt is one of the most beautiful and oldest residential areas within the city center. It is surrounded by many well-restored houses such as Haus Zum Stern, Haus Zur Rose, Haus Zur Sonne, and many more.
It is difficult to believe that the region had a dirty and noisy coal market. After that, the square was transformed into a pedestrian area, and in the center of the square was a pretty fountain which has been renovated according to the old drawing.
Here you can enjoy the beautiful square, almost surrounded by cafes and restaurants, which offer plenty of seating outside. In addition, you will experience; Wine Market, Culture Festival, Moomark, and in winter, a spectacular ice rink.
16. St. Magni Kirche
After the war, this gem was rebuilt according to old ideas in the Magni region, which can likewise be found in the pillars on the south side. Meanwhile, it has also become a pilgrimage church.
The oldest bell in Germany is placed in the church tower. As the building changes, it primarily concerns the late twentieth century, when the church was restored after the war and changed its appearance.
The wall to the left of the channel is completely stained with glass. In contrast, the right is just a wall. A modern iron object and an angel of Christ are hung on the main altar, and behind it is a small stained glass. The church is surrounded by many beautiful half-timbered houses.
Every Wednesday, public singing brings old and young together in the church square.
15. Braunschweig Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden is one of the most popular places in the city. There are around 4,000 different types of plants to see, some of which are unique and threatened species.
If you are a nature fan, this is the ideal place for you. In every corner of the garden, you can find numerous beautiful collections of trees and plants. There as benches there as well for you to rest, you can also read books, meet friends, and learn together. A small waterfall inside the garden is pleasing.
The greenhouses are only open from Tuesday through Thursday.
14. Bürger Park
The Bürgerpark is the third largest park in the middle of the city. It is an attractive city park with pathways between the Okar River and plenty of mature trees and lush green spaces.
It is a very old and beautiful park with many benches scattered at pleasant, convenient sites. Also, there are multiple types of exercise equipment and kid’s play areas. Ducks, geese, heron, woodpeckers, and even, sometimes, more exotic birds of passage abound.
Often you see people jogging, cycling, walking, BBQ-in, kayaking, making it a multi-purpose full amusement park.
During Summer, they usually have an Open Air Concert.
13. Wasserwelt Braunschweig
The Water World gives you a wonderful experience, especially on hot summer days. The building is divided into a swimming and bathing section. There is a large sauna area that offers various saunas and a beautiful steam bath, plus there is a pond outside, which of course has a very refreshing water temperature in autumn.
It has several areas for fun, such as a gym, an outdoor pool with plenty of open-air space, two small whirlpools, a 25m swimming pool, two slides, two diving boards, and a children’s pool. Also, there is a small restaurant that offers several meals and snacks.
The large glass fronts in the saunas offer a lovely view of the small swimming lake in the middle.
12. Altstadtrathaus
The old Town Hall shows evidence of the city’s significant history from the 9th century to the present day through archaeological findings, sculptures, paintings, models, books, letters, and photographs. It is beautifully constructed in terms of art and architectural history.
The museum displays a combination of historical objects, mainly from the Middle Ages and also from later eras: coins, instruments, a two-handed sword, an opera singer’s costume, and more. There are volunteers who operate the museum and are happy to provide information about the city’s history.
An impressive part is the original old fountain in the hall and the vast grounds of the old city.
11. National Museum of Natural History (Oldest in Europe)
National Museum of Natural History is a zoology museum that was founded in 1754 by Duke Carl l. It has a large number of attractions for visitors, and the collection includes 50,000 bird specimens, 10,300 bird eggs, 4,000 skulls, 3,000 mammal specimens, and much more to see.
It is the oldest history museum in Europe that was open to the general public. The museum is organized on three floors and a basement. A special attraction is an aquarium, which has a variety of fish and reptiles alive.
The exhibition is interestingly designed, with several exhibitions, especially about domestic animals. Moreover, there are interactive games for children.
10. Altstadtmarkt
It is one of the most traditional and oldest weekly markets, surrounded by significant historical buildings. Some of which started in the 12th century. It consists of the Gewandhaus, the Gothic Martini Church, the Old Town Hall, and a very beautiful Gothic fountain in richly worked bronze. Worth taking a close look at each of them.
You can find markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays every week, which makes your visit worthwhile. During the wintertime, they build up their wonderful Christmas market here. Apart from that, there are many restaurants where you can eat very well.
9. Schloss Richmond
From the south Braunschweig, at Wolfenbütteler Straße, there’s just a historical stone: Richmond Palace and its grounds, the prior escape of Duchess Augusta (1737/1780-1813).
The gorgeous outfit of properties features a summer palace and adjoining properties surrounded by an English-style park that continues to be restored into some enormous scope in the past couple of decades. The fabulous sea sweeps through deserts, together twisting trails along with previous groves of timber into some tiny temple in the area.
The palace is very worth seeing in May, whenever the big rhododendrons are in blossom. The revived palace now functions as representative intentions. It’s leased to charitable organizations and secret organizers and can be likewise employed from the Braunschweig sign up Office such as birthdays.
8. Braunschweiger Löwe
The castle lion on the Burgplatz was developed by Heinrich the Lion. Today it’s the symbol of the city, whose identity is intricately linked to Duke. Visitors can see in Dankwarderode Castle; the statue on Burgplatz is a replica.
The Burgplatz square is an important historical and cultural place and city centre. The Braunschweiger Löwe is surrounded by the various state cathedral, the castle, the Braunschweig state museum and many half-timbered houses.
7. Happy Rizzi House
It is the happiest house in the world with a variety of colours, an unusual asymmetric design that is located between shopping centres. It was designed by the American artist James Rizzi. The Happy Rizzi House impresses with its unusual architecture.
The New Yorker company has located its marketing department in this building. It offers many small details that are notable, such as the kissing couple, which is visible from inside the building through a heart-shaped window, funny shapes of the cartoon.
6. Dankwarderode Castle
The castle was built around 1175 by “Henry the Lion” based on the imperial palaces as a residence. After many changes and fires, it was rebuilt entirely in historical style from 1887 to 1906.
The Rittersaal on the top floor is beautiful, and the museum of medieval art on the ground floor is interesting. Inside the castle is a collection of medieval objects kept by the local museum. Materials include ivory carvings, horns hunting with engraved designs, and an enchanting tapestry showing scenes of the exodus.
It is one hall containing Gothic and Romanesque pieces. Also, there are tapestries, altarpieces, paintings and other smaller objects.
5. Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum
The Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum is one of the oldest museums in Europe open to public.
Here, you’ll find paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, and other Flemish and Dutch artists together with a remarkable collection of works by Lucas Cranach.
In October 2016, the museum was finally reopened after a renovation of seven years.
It is generally worth visiting, not only the extremely famous paintings but also the lesser-known old artists show their skills here.
4. Burgplatz Braunschweig
Burgplatz is a set of buildings of historical and cultural importance. The chair of the Duke of Braunschweig was located here in the ninth century.
The Burgplatz is developed by Duke Henry the Lion to a center of power through the 12th century. Even the Burgplatz that comprises the castle, the palace, the Classicist Vieweg House along with also different amazing half-timbered structures still shows signs of its ancestral floor plan.
The Lion of the Castle Statue can be found in the middle of the square.
3. Braunschweiger Dom
The Cathedral of Brunswick is termed as a ‘dom’ in the local language. It’s an impressive work of medieval architecture and was built by Henry the Lion, the famous Duke of Saxony and his wife, during the late 12th century. Both of them are buried here in front of the altar.
If you are in the city, this cathedral is a must-visit. Located in the center of the city, this place is the center of life here. Its beautiful architecture, picturesque artworks, and stained glasses will amaze you. There is also a quiet area for contemplation. If you visit this place during Christmas, you should also check the amazing Christmas market in the city square.
2. Arche Noah Zoo
Arche Noah Zoo is a small zoo located in Braunschweig. Though pretty small in size, it’s a delightful place to visit, where you would love to spend hours watching the animals. The zoo has a variety of animals, and all are well taken care of. A major attraction of this place is that you can get close to the animals safely and even interact with them, and feed them with provided pellets by your own hands.
To kids, this place would seem like a paradise. The zoo also has cafes and a picnic area to add to your delight.
1. Braunschweig Palace (and museum)
The Brunswick Palace has been the residence of the dukes of Brunswick from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. It was severely damaged during World War II, after which it was rebuilt only recently and opened to the public in 2007. There is also a modern shopping center at the back of the palace, also known as the Palace Arcade.
Exploring the entire area and knowing about its history will delight you. An exciting element is a Quadriga- a chariot drawn by four horses, on the top of the palace. You can go to the top and explore its architect from up close.
There is also a Palace Museum to the left, where you can explore the exciting collection of books and podcasts that tell you in detail about the history of this place.
