Following the trail of the royal wedding through Hanover

© HMTG

Images of the fairytale wedding spread from Hannover across the globe. In July 2017, the young Crown Prince Ernst August of Hannover tied the knot with his bride Ekaterina, drawing the attention of many onlookers and the international tabloid press to his adopted home. He chose the most beautiful venues, which are closely linked to the history of the House of Welf and are also among Hanover’s most outstanding landmarks. Following in the footsteps of this dream wedding, one can relive Hanover’s royal history in an impressive way.

Marktkirche and Herrenhausen
Palace The Prince and Princess of Hanover were married in the Marktkirche, located in the heart of the Old Town. It is a magnificent example of North German Brick Gothic architecture, built in the 14th century. However, its tower is crowned by a miniature version of the spire that was originally intended to be much taller. This was because the city coffers were empty at the time, so they had to settle for this scaled-down stopgap solution—which, however, was so well-received that it inspired numerous imitators. From the Marktkirche, the newlywed royal couple rode in a historic carriage to the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen: Where the Guelphs once built a summer pleasure palace and laid out the famous Baroque garden, a colorful wedding party of noble and bourgeois well-wishers gathered for the reception. The reconstructed Herrenhausen Palace and the ornate gardens are worth a visit in every season. All information can be found at www.hannover.de/herrenhausen.

© EAC GmbH

The Kings of England

The evening wedding celebration finally took place just outside Hanover, at the fairytale-like Marienburg Castle. Until 2020, this magnificent structure was owned by the House of Welf, Europe’s oldest princely dynasty, and was then transferred to the Marienburg Castle Foundation. Today, visitors can tour the interior, which features furnishings that have been almost entirely preserved. Highlights of a guided tour include, for example, precious 18th-century silver furniture, the fully equipped castle kitchen, and the library with its elaborately painted vaulted ceiling adorned with gold leaf. The exhibition “The Path to the Crown—The Kingdom of Hanover and Its Rulers” recounts the impressive family history of the Guelphs, who were also kings of England from 1714 to 1837. In the former coach house, a stylish restaurant invites visitors to round off their tour with a culinary experience.

© Marienburg Castle / Rainer Dröse

"Discover Marienburg Castle" Experience Package

Visit Marienburg Castle and explore the castle on the new tour of the south, west, and east wings. The "Discover Marienburg Castle" experience package includes admission to the castle with a guided tour, as well as one night’s accommodation with breakfast at a hotel near Marienburg or, alternatively, in Hanover. 

Inside the castle, you’ll find an exciting mix of furnished rooms and fascinating facts about the castle, its builders, the Guelphs, and the history of the House of Hanover. For more information, visit www.visit-hannover.com.