Marktkirche, Hanover

Marktkirche, Hanover tickets: which one to buy

The Market Church stands in the heart of Hanover's old town, beside the old town hall and the market square, and entry is free. It is the main Lutheran church of the city and one of the few large medieval buildings to survive, in rebuilt form, after the destruction of the Second World War. The Red Thread, a line painted on the pavement through the city centre, leads visitors on a self-guided walk past the main sights, and the church is one of its stops.

Walking tours of the old town cover the church, the old town hall, the half-timbered houses around the Kreuzkirche and the Leibniz house. The tower can sometimes be climbed on guided visits. Concerts and organ recitals are held regularly. The Christmas market fills the squares around the church in December. Guided tower climbs are offered on some days and include the bell chamber and the view over the city centre.

Visiting Marktkirche, Hanover: what to see

The church was built in the fourteenth century in the North German Brick Gothic style, with a tall hall interior and a massive tower almost a hundred metres high, whose steep roof with four gables is a symbol of the city. The church was badly damaged by bombing in 1943, and it was rebuilt after the war in a simplified form, with plain brick walls inside instead of the earlier decoration. Many of its treasures survived. The carved and painted Gothic altarpiece of around 1480, with scenes of the Passion, is the most important.

A bronze font from the fourteenth century and stained glass windows of the fourteenth century are also preserved. The modern bronze doors, created after the war, depict the history of the city and its people, including scenes from the bombing. The Reformation came to Hanover in this church. A statue of Martin Luther stands outside the church, commemorating the introduction of the Reformation in the city in the sixteenth century.

Marktkirche, Hanover opening hours and the best time to go

The church is open daily, and weekday mornings are quiet. The old town is at its liveliest on market days and in the evening, when the bars and restaurants fill. Hanover's big trade fairs bring crowds to the city and fill hotels, so check the fair calendar before booking accommodation. The Schutzenfest in summer, one of the largest marksmen's festivals in the world, and the Maschsee lake festival bring events to the city.

December's Christmas market around the church is atmospheric. The Herrenhausen gardens, a tram ride away, are Hanover's great attraction in summer. Allow about twenty minutes for the church, and follow the Red Thread to see the rest of the centre. The old town hall beside the church, a masterpiece of Brick Gothic, hosts exhibitions and a restaurant in its cellars.