A cathedral dating from the time of Henry the Lion and explorations of the Oker by raft, canoe or stand-up paddleboard highlight two different sides of Braunschweig. When planning your trip, you can weigh up architectural and art history, museums, the pond landscape and seasonal events.
Braunschweig Cathedral, Burgplatz and Dankwarderode Castle
Burgplatz is considered the heart of the city. Henry the Lion had St. Blasii Cathedral built as a three-aisled vaulted basilica between 1173 and 1195. Its medieval furnishings include the 1188 Marian altar, the seven-branched candlestick dating from around 1170/80, the Imervard Cross from the second half of the 12th century and wall paintings. The tomb of Henry the Lion and Matilda is also among the cathedral’s furnishings.
Dankwarderode Castle offers another perspective on the city’s architectural history. Henry the Lion had it built as a palace between around 1160 and 1175, on the site of a Brunonian complex. From 1885 to 1906, city architect Ludwig Winter had the castle rebuilt as a neo-Romanesque structure in the spirit of Historicism. The castle thus presents two clearly distinct building phases: a medieval palace complex and its later redesign in the Historicist style.
Art and city history in the museums
The Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum has a collection history spanning more than 300 years. It displays paintings, applied arts and sculptures. Around 4,000 works of art from 3,000 years of art history are on view across 4,000 m² of exhibition space. The combination of art forms and broad time span gives a museum visit a different focus from the architecture around Burgplatz.
The Städtisches Museum Braunschweig is dedicated to the history of Braunschweig and its citizens. Founded in 1861, it displays more than 270,000 exhibits across two buildings. The permanent exhibition “A Part of Us: German-Jewish Stories from Lower Saxony” at the Museum Hinter Aegidien offers another perspective on history. It opened to visitors on 9 December 2021.
Neighbourhoods, markets and Mumme
The Magniviertel is one of Braunschweig’s oldest surviving neighbourhoods. Its half-timbered houses are home to small shops and cafés. The Old Town Market offers a different attraction: a traditional weekly market is held there on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Mumme is also part of Braunschweig’s history. In Braunschweig, you can try dishes made with Braunschweiger Mumme as well as Mumme beer. Every November, the mummegenussmeile brings the historical, cultural and culinary significance of Mumme to life over a weekend of events. This means you can choose between regular weekly offerings and an annual culinary event when planning your trip.
Riddagshausen and experiences on the Oker
Riddagshausen Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve in the city of Braunschweig. Its natural pond landscape lies in the eastern part of the city, between Riddagshausen, Gliesmarode, Schapen and Weddel. It adds a landscape perspective to the historical and museum themes.
You can explore Braunschweig from the water on the Oker by raft, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. From May to October, the Oker is a destination for raft trips, including barbecue cruises and guided tours on the water. If you are planning a trip, check the latest dates. The Braunschweig State Theatre’s Burgplatz Open Air presents musical theatre under the open sky. The programme changes each year and ranges from classical opera to modern musicals.
Choose your travel dates to suit the experiences
There are several factors to consider when choosing when to travel: raft trips run from May to October, the mummegenussmeile takes place in November, and the weekly market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Burgplatz Open Air programme changes every year. If you want one of these events to shape your stay, check the specific dates for your travel year before booking your accommodation around them.
Discover more destinations: Salzgitter, Wilhelmshaven, Wolfsburg.
Back to the main travel overview: Lower Saxony.
