Important baroque garden

The large garden

The 50.2 hectare Great Garden is one of the most important Baroque gardens in Europe.

The Great Garden is considered the centerpiece of the Herrenhausen Gardens and is one of the most significant Baroque gardens in Europe. The garden, which covers an area of 50.2 hectares, remains virtually unchanged in its basic layout today. In addition to the impressive landscape design, visitors are also captivated by the various sculptures—which are illuminated during special events—as well as the large fountain with its 70-meter-high water column.

Consisting of individual gardens, the Great Garden is not only a popular destination for tourists. The Herrenhausen open-air theater is also held here in summer:

Open-air theater

Herrenhausen Garden Theater

The garden theater in the Herrenhausen Gardens is a special feature worldwide.

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The gardens

The Low German Flower Garden
The Low German Rose Garden
Lawn garden
Island garden
Renaissance garden
Baroque garden
Rococo garden
Low German flower garden
Fountain garden

Back then

The Great Garden was founded in 1675 by the Duke of Calenberg, Johann Friedrich. However, it owes its further development to a remarkable woman: Sophie of the Palatinate, Electress of Hanover. She had the garden laid out at the end of the 17th century based on the French model and made it her life's work. The result was a masterpiece of Baroque garden design with many special and model gardens, a large fountain, water features, maze, open-air theater, various groups of figures, cascade, palace, gallery building and orangery.

The grotto

The Great Garden also includes the grotto, which was built in the 18th century and decorated with shells, crystals, glass and minerals to provide a cool retreat in summer. These decorations were lost until the artist Niki de Saint Phalle decorated the grotto in 2002 with pieces of pebbles, glass and mirrors, transforming it into a magical work of art full of color, light and sensuality.

Today

Today, the Great Garden is one of Hanover's attractions and attracts around half a million visitors every year. The city celebrates its jewel with garden festivals, theater performances and the International Fireworks Competition in the summer months.