Linden Tower

© Matthias Kothe

On a clear day, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city and far beyond to the densely forested peaks of the Deister mountain range in the southwestern distance from the idyllic beer garden, the wooden tables on the gallery surrounding the more than 600-year-old Landwehr Tower at the summit, and the small observation deck on the hill behind it—including picturesque sunsets that will stay with you forever.

Beer garden with a view

Rising gently to a height of 35 meters (which is actually 89 meters above sea level!), the Lindener Berg towers over downtown Hanover, making it the highest “mountain” in the city; by comparison, the Schneiderberg near Leibniz University in the Nordstadt district is a mere five meters high! As an observation tower, the “Lindener Turm” certainly cuts a fine figure; as Hanover’s highest beer garden, it’s perhaps even better—because, fitting for its location, the culinary standards at the Turmwirtschaft, nestled among the chestnut and linden trees, are top-notch. The panoramic view from up there is unbeatable anyway. If you’d like, you can even go higher!

A Little Closer to the Sky Above Hanover

The Lindener Tower, a designated historic landmark, was one of the first defense towers that surrounded Hanover starting in 1392. Between 1650 and 1652, the watchtower was converted into a windmill, which ceased operations in 1927. Incidentally, a mountain inn once stood next to the former mill: the Hanover industrialist Johann Egestorff had it built in 1825 by the city architect Georg Ludwig Friedrich Laves. In 1878, the inn had to make way for the imposing elevated water tank, which was intended at the time to supply the city with drinking water from the Ricklinger Masch. On the flat roof of the nearly ten-meter-tall structure, built in the style of a medieval fortress (one side of which borders directly on the beer garden), the Hannover Public Observatory—founded in 1968—hosts public stargazing sessions every Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m.

Through the Lindener Alps to Benther Berg and beyond

If, in the face of heavenly infinity, you’d rather take a second look at the beauty of the earthly expanse, you should walk from Lindener Berg past the “Lindener Alpen” allotment garden colony and turn left onto Christel-Keppler-Weg, then turn right onto the narrow side road leading to the “Bergfrieden” allotment garden colony and, accompanied by lively birdsong in the orange-red light of the setting sun, enjoy the picturesque evening atmosphere over the Benther Berg on the western outskirts of the city and the long, sweeping Deister range beyond.

© Christian Wyrwa

Local recreation

Deister

The wooded ridge with surrounding farmland is a perfect area for cyclists and hikers.

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The Blue Miracle of Linden

On the way back to the beer garden, it is worth taking a look over the wall at the listed Lindener Bergfriedhof cemetery. The cemetery, which was established in 1862 and closed in 1965, is a green oasis of tranquillity that experiences its blue wonder for two weeks every year from the end of March. In the first warmer days after the frosty winter and just in time for the beginning of spring, the green areas around the weathered gravestones between the historic kitchen garden pavilion, the cemetery chapel from 1864 and the cemetery fountain from 1884 blossom and are covered with an almost magical carpet of millions and millions of tiny bluebells. This is also a feast for the eyes!

© Hanover State Opera (Source)

In the city and region

Ten things you absolutely must do in Hanover this spring...

...should experience. The city is blossoming again and people are being urged to go outside. What can you do?

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