“Under the tail” is what you might hear when locals arrange to meet in the Centre of Hanover. This refers to the equestrian statue of King Ernest Augustus right outside the Central Station. It is a popular meeting spot. The Centre of Hanover has much to discover.
As you exit the Central Station onto Ernst August Platz you are immediately in the heart of it all. The Ernst August Galerie is on your right. Steps lead down to the Niki de Saint Phalle Promenade. Above it, Bahnhofstrasse beckons shoppers and strollers alike. Straight ahead lies Kröpcke.
Kröpcke Clock is the place to meet. Arrange to meet someone at the Kröpcke Clock. You will be sure not to miss them. The most important shopping streets converge here. You can stroll down Georgstrasse to Steintor.
Need a coffee break? The Centre’s little streets of the Old Town offer delightful boutiques. You can also find lots of cafés and cosy pubs there.
The Market Hall, is known as the “Belly of Hanover”. It is popular for its vast diversity of fresh food. Exclusive international delicacies can be found here. The Market Hall is a place that holds its visitors. People spend longer there than they planned. They enjoy a coffee or a prosecco. It is a place to see and be seen.
Every Saturday, bargain-hunters descend on Germany’s oldest flea market. It is located on the “Hohen Ufer”. This is the High Bank of the River Leine. You can find it between Schlossstrasse and Goethestrasse. A traditional atmosphere is cultivated here. You will look in vain for mass-produced goods.
If you want to go shopping in the Centre of Hanover, you can start as soon as you exit the Central Station. The Centre is known for shopping. You may find more than one place to shop at Ernest August Galerie Shopping Center. The back street of Kropcke, Osterstrabe, is also a great place to explore. Another popular shopping destination in Hanover is the Kaiser Center. Karstadt Shopping Center is ideal for new clothes and shoes. If you like street markets, Weihnachtsmarkt is the best place to visit. You can buy local souvenirs here. Look for Hannover chocolate, Leibniz biscuit, and a Hannover coffee mug.
Nightlife in the Centre of Hanover is very active. It is especially vibrant on Friday and Saturday. DJs playing ethnic or electronic music perform everywhere. The city clubs offer good experiences. You can enjoy both rock and house music. The Centre is also famous for its local bars. Enjoy traditional dishes. Try more than 300 types of beer in these venues.
Hanover has its roots in the 13th century. It began as a small fishing village on the River Leine. Prosperity grew with increasing river trade. This trade was channelled into ecclesiastical building projects and defensive city gates.
Led by its dynasty of dukes, the city embraced industrialisation. It used its location near the Harz Mountains to become a hub for the iron and silver trades. Hanover might have remained a well-heeled backwater. But George, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, expanded his lands. He became the first prince elector of Hanover by 1708.
Another quirk of dynastic fate brought him an even bigger prize. He became king of the United Kingdom. George ascended to the throne aged 54 in 1714. Hanover drew upon the wealth of the larger realm. It established itself as a hub for trade. Today, the Centre of Hanover thrives. Its roots as a mercantile center run deep.