The old town of Braunschweig (better known in English as Brunswick), lies on the river Oker in a fertile plain in the north of the Harz foreland area. Braunschweig’s history is closely linked to the Guelph, Henry the Lion, and his son Otto IV, the first and only Guelph emperor. With round 245.000 inhabitants in 192 sq km, Braunschweig is the biggest city in the area between Hanover and Berlin, in the centre of the region. In the old town, a few remnants of the Lion City’s past bear silent witness to the rich history of the town- which suffered heavy damage in World War II. Today's profile of the Lion City is due to restored history, its steady development as a dynamic place for business, trading, sciences and research as well as its extensive cultural activities.
How to Get There:
The nearest major airport is Hanover/Langenhagen International Airport, 62 km from the city centre. Trains every 30 minutes (€ 44), buses and taxis connect to the city. It is also accessible from Berlin (245 km) and Frankfurt (320 km). Braunschweig, on the main rail line between Frankfurt and Berlin is served by local, inter-city and high-speed ICE trains, with frequent stops at the main train station. Intra-city travel is by an inexpensive but extensive 35 km electric tram system, and buses.
What to See:
St. Blasii Cathedral or Dankwarderode Castle, built by the Guelph Duke. His lion, a bronze statue, on the Burgplatz since 1250 CE, symbolises the city. The Church of St. Magnus (Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH ) lies behind it. Braunschweig’s history is seen in the picturesque and well preserved half-timbered buildings near St. Magni church. The group of buildings around the Altstadtmarkt (old town market) including the gothic Altstadtrathaus (old town hall) and the Gewandhaus (cloth hall) reminds us even today of Braunschweig’s great past. The Guelph palace houses the municipal libraries, the archive and the cultural institute of the city. Braunschweig houses the biggest quadriga in Europe, from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the large but open city, the Romanesque and Gothic Andreaskirche and the Gothic Aegidienkirche.
Where to Eat:
Braunschweig’s reputed restaurants for German food are Richard's Restaurant and Old Munich Restaurant, Cafe & Biergarten, though expensive. Of the 69 others, Clementine and Winner's Sports Grill are recommended. Virtually all countries are represented in the city. This city also has many U,S. restaurants.
Events:
The largest carnival procession in northern Germany, the Magni Festival, the Christmas Market in front of the historical Burgplatz and the "Braunschweig Classix Festival" attract numerous visitors to Braunschweig each year.
Hotels:
Braunschweig has 109 hotels to suit every pocket.You can choose from a large variety, from guest houses to well-known hotel groups such as penta Hotel, Mercure or Mövenpick.
