{"id":1348,"date":"2025-07-23T15:25:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T13:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/history\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T20:59:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T18:59:46","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"header_element gb-element-a068a4e7\">\n<p class=\"gb-text-f4a21918\"><span class=\"gb-shape\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"693.321\" height=\"837.863\" viewbox=\"-749.742 511.111 693.321 837.863\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><path fill=\"CurrentColor\" d=\"m-56.421 1290.381-12.248 2.604-71.161-334.593 83.409-17.739v-36.5l-90.831 19.317-72.042-338.735a41.11 41.11 0 0 0 14.772-22.753c5.387-22.054-8.125-44.3-30.179-49.688-22.055-5.387-44.3 8.125-49.688 30.179-5.387 22.055 8.125 44.301 30.179 49.688l72.042 338.735-216.184 45.978a74.22 74.22 0 0 1 3.69-20.036 110.865 110.865 0 0 0-.243-70.968c-16.165-47.675-64.124-78.903-114.196-74.496-44.566 3.754-82.528 33.885-96.3 76.437a73.4 73.4 0 0 1-55.461 49.888l-1.132.241c-57.585 12.245-95.532 67.393-86.394 125.551l.004.006c9.44 60.082 68.045 102.39 127.972 92.227 1.875-.291 3.728-.686 5.581-1.08 25.569-5.761 52.977 2.183 70.287 21.853 26.456 30.117 67.11 43.606 106.322 35.279 59.895-12.718 98.138-71.582 85.419-131.477a109.682 109.682 0 0 0-27.163-52.331 69.298 69.298 0 0 1-11.125-16.136l216.349-46.013 71.16 334.592-62.325 13.255c-9.642 2.051-15.795 11.529-13.744 21.171 2.051 9.641 11.528 15.795 21.17 13.744l102.059-21.706v-36.494zm-401.542-171.253c-8.546 1.817-13.998-3.587-15.547-5.302-39.41-44.667-100.799-64.646-160.304-51.991l-2.469.524c-5.088.868-9.392-1.661-11.559-3.244l-.002-.001c-1.873-1.216-6.087-4.839-6.938-10.36-1.334-8.491 4.271-16.521 12.701-18.197l1.646-.35c58.929-12.73 106.618-55.878 125.163-113.243a16.28 16.28 0 0 1 12.006-10.839 20.581 20.581 0 0 1 2.492-.423c6.661-.556 14.026 4.227 16.104 10.456a16.406 16.406 0 0 1 .212 10.608c-19.4 58.036-5.913 121.453 35.127 165.667a14.817 14.817 0 0 1 3.87 7.57c1.807 8.73-3.781 17.276-12.502 19.125z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wrapper-xl gb-element-830c0fcb\">\n<div class=\"main-grid gb-element-c20ec161\">\n<div class=\"nav-container gb-element-3bc0f35b\">\n<ul class=\"navigation_liste gb-element-2a23b674\">\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1230\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"215\">1230 \u2013 Founding <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1349\">1349 \u2013 Upheaval <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1409\">1409 \u2013 Heyday<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1566\">1566 \u2013 Pharmacy Wing <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1720\">1720 \u2013 Decline <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1844\">1844 \u2013 Protest <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1875\">1875 \u2013 C. W. Hase <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1943\">1943 \u2013 Destruction <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#id-1970\">1970 \u2013 Transformation <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"gb-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/#heute\">Today \u2013 Landmark<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<p class=\"gb-text animate gb-text-28d16757\">ERAS IN BRICK <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-text animate gb-text-d70478e8\">The History of the Old Town Hall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text bold fs-h3 animate\" id=\"id-1230\">Founding and Early Use (1230\u20131300)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">The Old Town Hall was built around 1230 as Hanover&#8217;s first stone secular building: In the cellar (&#8220;cellarium civitatis&#8221;), merchants stored wine and textiles, traders unloaded their goods, and travelers were received. Above it was the &#8220;theatrum,&#8221; where the council met, weddings were celebrated, and sometimes misdeeds were publicly punished in the pillory. Even then, &#8220;Dat Hus&#8221; was a central meeting point for trade and civic gatherings.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"id-1349\">Brick Gothic and Urban Development (14th Century) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">In the early 14th century, Hanover underwent changes: In 1349, the Marktkirche (Market Church) was demolished, the rubble was spread over the square, thus raising the ground level by about one meter. The formerly ground-level &#8220;cellarium&#8221; sank \u2013 the space became today&#8217;s cellar. Simultaneously, the building received a brick cladding, pointed arch portals, and segmental arch windows, so that the Town Hall and Marktkirche soon ranked among the southernmost examples of North German Brick Gothic.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"id-1409\">Rise in the 15th Century: Stepped Gables and Tower Frieze <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">Between 1409 and 1413, the complex on Schmiedestra\u00dfe was expanded; from 1453\u20131455, the market wing was completely redesigned. With the burgeoning economic prosperity of the 15th century, elaborate stepped gables were added, flanked by a continuous tower frieze and ornate dormer windows (&#8220;Lukarnen&#8221;). In 1490, the arcade was built on K\u00f6belingerstra\u00dfe, where a pillory was subsequently attached \u2013 a symbol of law and order amidst the bustling market.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"id-1566\">Renaissance Additions and Urban Life (1566\u20131577) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">In 1566\/67, Gothic and Renaissance styles were combined: On K\u00f6belingerstra\u00dfe, the Pharmacy Wing was built with two stone floors and two elaborately carved half-timbered stories, where Hanover&#8217;s first pharmacy opened in 1568. As early as 1576, a stone oriel window was added to the market wing for magnificent homage ceremonies \u2013 the interior and exterior paintings astonished visitors. A year later, in 1577, a new tavern with a staircase leading to the market square was built on the ground floor, which became a meeting place for convivial evenings.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"id-1720\">18th and Early 19th Century: Layers of Plaster and Decline  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">From 1720 onwards, the exterior walls were covered with white plaster, corner and plinth quoins were drawn on, giving the Town Hall a more uniform appearance. However, already in the 19th century, its structural substance was little appreciated: In 1828, the roof turret was removed, a bay window was installed, and parts of the facade were filled with scissor grinder stalls, causing the building to lose its dignity. Because the pharmacy moved out around 1840, tiny prison cells were set up in the former Pharmacy Wing \u2013 hardly more secure than before.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"id-1844\">Citizen Initiative and the &#8220;Doge&#8217;s Palace&#8221; (1844\u20131856) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">The demolition plans for 1844 were only stopped by a citizen initiative: Instead of completely rebuilding, only the Pharmacy Wing was removed, and in its place, the Neo-Romanesque &#8220;Doge&#8217;s Palace&#8221; was erected, inspired by the Palazzo Ducale in Venice. Further administrative departments moved out in 1856, thus saving the building from decay.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"id-1875\">Restoration by Conrad Wilhelm Hase (1875\u20131891) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">The turning point came in 1875, when <a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/architecture\/\">Conrad Wilhelm Hase<\/a> began his designs. He consistently removed all later additions to restore the medieval appearance. Where historical findings were lacking, he was guided by his inner vision and added a stair tower in the 15th-century style. In 1882, all of Hanover celebrated the reopening: thousands flocked to the market square to admire the reconstructed Town Hall. In 1891, Hase completed the fourth wing towards Karmarschstra\u00dfe, so that the complex stood for the first time as an enclosed four-winged courtyard building. In 1900, the inner courtyard was provided with a cellar, and in 1907, the municipal savings bank moved into the Karmarschstra\u00dfe wing.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"id-1943\">Destruction and Reconstruction after World War II (1943\u20131954) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">Everything changed in 1943: Due to bombing raids, the market and Schmiedestra\u00dfe wings were destroyed down to their outer walls. In the &#8220;Doge&#8217;s Palace&#8221; and prison wing, the damage was limited to the interiors; the Karmarschstra\u00dfe wing remained almost undamaged. Between 1951 and 1954, reconstruction followed Hase&#8217;s plans, but delicate roof forms were omitted, and some entrances were relocated. The undamaged stair tower and historical wall sections fell victim to the interior renovations of the 1950s.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"id-1970\">Modernization and Heritage Conservation (1970s \u2013 Today) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">In the 1970s, the ground floor of the Karmarschstra\u00dfe wing was opened up to arcades with two-story shop installations, a subway entrance was added, and the inner courtyard was renovated. Heritage conservation finally reversed the concrete roofing around 2000 in favor of the original blind arcades and the terracotta frieze of the &#8220;Hanoverian School,&#8221; allowing the courtyard to be experienced in its full splendor once again.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-text fs-h3 animate bold\" id=\"heute\">Today: Four-Winged Complex as a Tourist Magnet <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text animate\">Today, the Old Town Hall stands as a four-winged complex with striking stepped gables, rich relief decoration, and Renaissance motifs on the market square. Visitors enter the Venetian banqueting hall (&#8220;Doge&#8217;s Palace&#8221;) via the historic arcade on K\u00f6belingerstra\u00dfe. The facades display rows of coats of arms, busts of electoral rulers, and the characteristic &#8220;Neidkopf&#8221; (Envy Head) \u2013 a 16th-century sandstone face. In the inner courtyard, the round-arch arcades and the terracotta frieze of the Hanoverian School are once again fully visible. Today, thanks to its well-preserved structure, its transformation over centuries, and its versatile use, the Old Town Hall is one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hannover.de\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hanover&#8217;s<\/a> most important tourist destinations.    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-element-8db0c350\">\n<div class=\"gb-element-aff941b3\">\n<a class=\"site-nav\" href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/nutzung-heute\/\"><span class=\"gb-shape\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" version=\"1.1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"30.94px\" height=\"26.203px\" viewbox=\"-860.343 429.898 30.94 26.203\" enable-background=\"new -860.343 429.898 30.94 26.203\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><line id=\"Linie_3_1_\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"5\" x1=\"-829.403\" y1=\"443.003\" x2=\"-853.944\" y2=\"443.003\"><\/line><path id=\"Pfad_6_1_\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"5\" d=\"M-845.471,454.335l-11.336-11.334l11.336-11.334\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"gb-text\">Use today<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-element-fd0856b5\">\n<a class=\"site-nav\" href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/architecture\/\"><span class=\"gb-text\">Architecture<\/span><span class=\"gb-shape\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" version=\"1.1\" id=\"Ebene_1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"30.94px\" height=\"26.203px\" viewbox=\"-860.343 429.898 30.94 26.203\" enable-background=\"new -860.343 429.898 30.94 26.203\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><line id=\"Linie_3_1_\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"5\" x1=\"-860.343\" y1=\"442.998\" x2=\"-835.802\" y2=\"442.998\"><\/line><path id=\"Pfad_6_1_\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"5\" d=\"M-844.275,431.666L-832.939,443l-11.336,11.334\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-element-2f9d13d0\">\n<div class=\"wrapper-xl gb-element-95fdd371\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-element-f6fa3e1a\">\n<p class=\"gb-text gb-text-331db82d\">Inquiries and further information: <a href=\"mailto:assistenz@hrg-hannover.de\">assistenz@hrg-hannover.de<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text gb-text-781e8fc3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/imprint\/\">Imprint<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/privacy-policy\/\">Data protection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-text gb-text-31a3b765\">\u00a9 2026. All rights reserved<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1230 \u2013 Founding 1349 \u2013 Upheaval 1409 \u2013 Heyday 1566 \u2013 Pharmacy Wing 1720 \u2013 Decline 1844 \u2013 Protest 1875 \u2013 C. W. Hase 1943 \u2013 Destruction 1970 \u2013 Transformation Today \u2013 Landmark ERAS IN BRICK The History of the Old Town Hall Founding and Early Use (1230\u20131300) The Old Town Hall was built around &#8230; <a title=\"History\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/history\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about History\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1348","page","type-page","status-publish"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1348"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1350,"href":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1348\/revisions\/1350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altes-rathaus-hannover.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}