Heiligers Brunnen

Beneath the rustling leaves of the Eilenriede forest, lies a hidden gem. It whispers tales of time, health, and a touch of mayoral curiosity. This, my friends, is Heiligers Brunnen. Heiligers Brunnen isn’t just a spring. It’s a story etched in stone, a testament to a chance encounter. In 1794, Mayor Ernst Anton Heiliger, the very man for whom Heiligers Brunnen is named, stumbled upon this sulfurous spring. Legend says he was offered a drink from the spring by forest workers during a walk. Intrigued by the unique taste, Heiliger consulted his physician, Johann Georg Zimmermann, and the royal botanist, Friedrich Ehrhart. Ehrhart analyzed the water, describing it as “clear, cold, and exceedingly pleasant to drink”. He believed it held the potential for a healing spa. At the mayor’s behest, the spring was encased in a sandstone basin, adorned with Latin inscriptions. The inscriptions, later translated into German in 1953, invite visitors to “Come, See, Drink”. They remind us that “Divinity dwells within the spring”. Heiliger’s Brunnen became a popular spot for Hanoverians seeking leisurely strolls. While the grand spa envisioned by Ehrhart never materialized, the spring continues to flow. It feeds the nearby historic Kopperloch natural bath. The pyramidal roof above the Heiligers Brunnen has seen its own share of renewals. It was completely renovated in 1963. The basin itself was restored in 2007, ensuring that this piece of Hanover’s history continues to refresh and intrigue visitors. So, take a moment, listen to the gentle gurgle of the water. Imagine Mayor Heiliger, taking that fateful sip. Feel the presence of history, quietly flowing beneath the trees of the Eilenriede.