Traveling in the footsteps of the Guelphs

The Guelphs and Hannover

From 1636 to 1866, Hannover was the seat of the Guelph dynasty.

The most famous testament to this era is the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen. However, numerous other buildings were also constructed during this period that still shape the cityscape of Hannover today. The current seat of the Lower Saxony State Parliament, the LEINESCHLOSS, was built in 1637. From 1837 to 1866, it served as the residence of the Kings of Hannover. The WELFENSCHLOSS was never used as a palace. During its construction, the Guelph dynasty’s rule came to an end; in 1879, the present-day Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University moved in. The ERNST-AUGUST-DENKMAL, an equestrian statue honoring King Ernst August, was erected in 1861 on Ernst-August-Platz in front of Hanover’s main train station. The RAILWAY STATION BUILDING itself, the OPERA HOUSE, and the WATERLOO COLUMN were also built during the Guelph reign. Visitors to the Historical Museum can learn a great deal about the history of the Guelphs in Hannover. A highlight is the collection of golden Guelph carriages, including the carriage in which George I traveled to London for his coronation in 1714.

The famous Guelphs in detail:

*ELECTORESS SOPHIE OF THE PALATINATE (OF HANNOVER), 1630–1714, mother of George I, King of Great Britain; creator of the Great Garden in Herrenhausen

*GEORG I, 1660–1727, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg (“Electorate of Hanover”) from 1698, King of Great Britain from 1714

*GEORGE II, 1683–1760, Elector of Hanover and King of Great Britain and Ireland

*SOPHIE DOROTHEA OF HANNOVER, 1687–1757, daughter of George I, wife of Frederick William II of Prussia, and mother of Frederick the Great

*GEORGE III, 1738–1820, Elector of Hanover and King of Great Britain and Ireland

*CAROLINE MATHILDE, 1751 - 1775, wife of Christian VII, Queen of Denmark and Norway. Banished to Celle at the beginning of 1772, where she lived until her early death.

*GEORGE IV, 1762–1830, King of Hannover and King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

*WILHELM IV, 1765–1837, King of Hannover and King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1 1837 End of the personal union

*ERNST AUGUST, 1771–1851, Duke of Cumberland, King of Hanover from 1837

*GEORG V, 1819–1878, King of Hanover 1 1866 End of the Kingdom of Hanover

*MARIE, 1818–1907, Queen of Hannover. George V gave her Marienburg Palace as a gift for her 39th birthday.

For more information, please contact www.visit-hannover.com.