Traveling in the footsteps of the Guelphs

The Guelphs and Hanover

From 1636 to 1866, Hanover was the capital of the House of Welf.

The most famous testament to this era is the Herrenhausen Gardens. However, numerous other buildings were also constructed at that time that still shape Hannover’s cityscape 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. The Guelph dynasty’s reign ended during its construction, and in 1879, what is now the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University moved in. The ERNST-AUGUST MONUMENT, an equestrian statue honoring King Ernst August, was erected in 1861 on Ernst-August-Platz in front of Hanover’s main train station. The RAILROAD 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 Hanover. A highlight is the collection of golden Guelph carriages, including the one in which George I traveled to London for his coronation in 1714.

The famous Guelphs in detail:

*PRINCESS SOPHIE OF THE PALACE (OF HANNOVER), 1630 - 1714, mother of George I, King of Great Britain Creator of the Great Garden at 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 VON HANNOVER, 1687 - 1757, daughter of George I and wife of Frederick William II in 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 Hanover and King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

*WILHELM IV, 1765–1837, King of Hanover 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 Hanover. George V gave her Marienburg Palace as a gift for her 39th birthday.

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