A lovely bunch of gardens created by the Guelphs. The complex was founded in 1666 and has been the summer residence of the family for centuries. It consists of the Great Garden (Großer Garten), a baroque garden with impressive passages, pavilions, geometrical patterns and a fountain, which was planned by Leibniz and used to be the highest fountain in Europe for a long time. It is a bit like a small Versailles. Then there is the Georgengarten, an English garden with huge greens, where people relax in the sun, play football or meet for a barbecue. In the Berggarten you can find many exotic plants, the Regenwaldhaus (rain forest house) and the crypt of the Guelphs.
Tip: Start your tour from Königsworther Platz and follow the way along the old avenue flanked by hundreds of trees ("Herrenhäuser Allee"). You will enjoy the lovely view.
Tip 2: During summer there is a firework contest on Saturday evenings in the Great Garden and several other public festivities too.
Herrenhäuser Strasse 4, catch the light rail 4 or 5 to Herrenhäuser Gärten
tel: (0511) 1684 7576;
Nearest metro station: Königsworther Platz
The rainforest house has by now been converted into a Sea Life aquarium, featuring many dazzling displays of local and tropical fish. Exciting for children, and highly enjoyable for adults, too.
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