The Red Thread (Rote Faden)

The counter-evidence to "nothing is dumber than Hanover" - I always enjoy coming here and today I took the first walk from my little book "On foot through Hanover", which took me to the center of this city, where there was really a lot to discover. Hanover has a common thread - a 4km long walking path through the city center, which is marked as a red line on the ground throughout. Interrupted by various numbers for associated sights. We started at Ernst-August-Platz in front of the main train station, where a monument to this very gentleman made me smile with its inscription: "The father of the country's loyal people" reminded me very much of the dialect of "Kevin his grandma" that is common in the Ruhr area. 😁 The common thread then led me to the Opera Square and past the variety theater in the Georgspalast. One of the highlights of this tour for me was the Aegidienkirche, of which only the tower and the outer walls remain and which today serves as a memorial for the victims of war and violence. Among other things, there is a memorial plaque inside to the residents of Hiroshima, which is a twin city of Hanover. The church was destroyed in the Second World War. The peace bell 🔔 hanging in it rings four times a day at five minutes past the hour so that it is not drowned out by the other church towers in the city. I like it. I would have had to wait 25 minutes for the bells to ring and it was just too cold this morning. We continued on to the new town hall, an impressive magnificent building with a dome and turrets, which I would have almost last expected to see in Hanover. Two stone lions guard the portal. A really beautiful building. Continue across the Leine and along it with a view of the Leine Castle and past the colorful Nanas, colorful sculptures that caused a lot of protest when they were put up and are now one of the most popular photo motifs in the city. Crossed the Leine again over the Goethe Bridge and headed towards the old town. To my surprise, there are remains of the historic city fortifications - the Beguine Tower and the Marshall Gate, as well as charming half-timbered houses. I would not have associated these with Hanover either. Via Ballhofplatz - originally built by the rulers for badminton - we continue into the shopping street. Here you will find the market church, whose tower, which is currently being restored, is covered with a colorful art print, the old town hall and the market hall. The latter really surprised me - a market hall in a German city, the likes of which I usually know from Italy or Spain and last saw in Málaga a week ago? 2025? I am thrilled. The market hall is well attended. People are enjoying their coffee, Aperol, bread rolls, etc. at various stalls. From here we continue through the newer part of the shopping street, past the Kröpcke - cult café, the clock and square of the city, back to the main station. I expected little and got an incredible amount on this tour. In my imagination, Hanover was like the Ruhr area, bombed to pieces and rebuilt after the Second World War in a largely careless and functional way. Far from it and incomparable. I look forward to all the other discoveries in this beautiful and worth seeing city. 🤗

We interrupted the actual tour for a break in the market hall and stopped shortly before the penultimate stop (Kröpke and Hbf) and celebrated a happy conclusion in the Bavarium

D - NDS - LOST THE THREAD, FOUND THE RED RIBBON - 7 KM Take a walk on the streets... the red ribbon shows us: the highlights of Hanover!

The red thread is painted on the pavement and leads through the city center past the 36 most important sights of the city. The book about the red thread can be purchased at the tourist information office, where the tour also starts - opposite the train station. After living in Hanover for a few years, it was a strange feeling to wander through the city as a tourist - a change of perspective, so to speak. But it was fun, even if it was a bit warm today.

The "Red Thread" city tour in Hanover is taking place under special conditions. ⛪️ Church Congress in Hanover

This is my first time in Hanover and I'm totally amazed at how interesting the city is and what it has to offer. Beautiful half-timbered houses, art, murals, etc. I'm already looking forward to exploring everything over the next few days.

The red thread leads you to (actually) 4.2 km through Hanover's city center. You start in front of the tourist information at the main train station (there is also a small booklet with interesting information about the red thread) past the opera/Aegidienkirche, Trammplatz & the new town hall (if possible, it is worth taking the inclined elevator up here), Kestnermuseum, (supplement around the Maschteich), Waterloo Column, the Nanas on the High Shore, the Ballhof (now the theatre, formerly the sports hall), Market Church, the old town hall with your grimacing head, the Kröpkeuhr and then back to the main station: 'under the tail' from the equestrian statue of Ernst August, where to meet in Hanover. We have extended the round with a small detour to the Maschteich with a great view of the town hall from the park side. All in all, a great tour that not only offers great insights and a lot of variety to Hanover newcomers ☀️

The nice thing about the tour is that you can start at any point. In our point 8, the Aegigienkirche. You can linger along the water or in the Kreuzviertel at Ballhofplatz. Therefore, this relatively short route can easily take half a day. 😉