Drawn to the Welfengarten. It is a large English landscape garden that surrounds the Welfenschloss. The Welfenschloss now houses the Leibniz University Hannover. But its history is far grander.
In 1856, King George V of Hanover decided to build a new royal residence. It was initially planned as a summer retreat. Later, it became intended to replace the Leineschloss as the main seat. Christian Heinrich Tramm was the architect. After Tramm’s death, Eduard Heidelberg took over.
The site for the Welfenschloss was not new to palaces. Schloss Monbrillant, dating back to the early 18th century, once stood here. Kings Ernest Augustus and George V used it as a summer residence. The old palace was demolished before the new one began.
Construction on the Welfenschloss started in 1857. Yellowish-white sandstone was used. It came from areas near Helmstedt. This sandstone is some of the hardest in Germany.
Initially, the palace was called Schloss Königsitz. In 1861, its name changed to Welfenschloss. This honored the House of Welf, the reigning dynasty. The iconography of the palace reflected this change. Sculptures of eight significant Welf rulers decorate the garden side. Wilhelm Engelhard created the most important sculpture. It is of Henry the Lion. Adolf Rosenthal created the bronze lions on the entrance side.
George V’s reign ended after Prussia annexed Hanover in 1866. Construction stopped. The palace remained empty for over a decade. The Welfenschloss was not the only neo-Gothic castle George V constructed. He also built Marienburg Castle for his wife.
In 1879, the Higher Vocational School moved into the Welfenschloss. This school is now the Leibniz University Hannover. Hermann Hunaeus renovated the palace. The school became a university in 1899.
During World War II, the chapel on the east side was heavily damaged. It was demolished in 1955. An extension was built in its place. It houses an auditorium and a lecture hall.
In front of the Welfenschloss stands a bronze statue. It is a Saxon Steed. Albert Wolf created it. The Saxon Steed is a symbol of Lower Saxony and Westphalia.
Before the Welfenschloss was built, Count Platen’s residence stood here. It was called Schloss Monbrillant. It was built in 1717.
The garden of Schloss Monbrillant was a small copy of the Großen Garten. Christian Schaumburg redesigned the landscape in the early 19th century. He also expanded the Welfengarten in 1860. Today, students and residents heavily use the park. Old tree groups, ponds, and a historic bridge remind us of its 19th-century design. The Welfengarten continues to be used by students and residents today.