Architectural Jewels (Self Guided), Hanover

Even though some may find Hannover rather new looking, the city in fact has a long and eventful history. As a crucial transportation hub, Hannover couldn’t escape Allied bombing during World War II; what used to be a grand city was turned into the rubble – with 90% of the local buildings destroyed. Yet, despite the bombing and ensued reconstruction, many pre-war architectural gems have survived.

Today Hannover is a lively city, with a mix of classical and renaissance architecture and a cool vibe that is so easy to enjoy. Architecture buffs in particular will find a great deal to explore and see here. If you're one of them, there are a few architectural landmarks you would want to fill your itinerary with, namely:

Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) – a castle-like structure built in the Eclectic style, featuring a unique elevator that climbs 50 meters along the dome, following its contours, to an observation deck; the most known sight of the city and an absolute must-visit;

Leineschloss (Leine Palace) – the Neoclassical palace, now the seat of the Landstag (parliament) of Lower Saxony; the oldest section of the building dates back to 1636; a victim of WWII bombing, it was rebuilt in 1957-1962;

Leibniz House – originally built in 1499 but destroyed in a 1943 air raid; waited 40 years for its restoration, with the recreated facade remaining true to the original;

Anzeiger-Hochhaus (Anzeiger High-Rise) – one of the four Expressionist high-risers preserved from the 1920s; the building escaped serious damage during WWII due to its contemporary steel frame design.

To make your trip to Hannover a culturally exciting one, filled with memories to last a lifetime, take this architectural tour and see some of the city's most impressive buildings.