Bad Gandersheim

Bad Gandersheim is a town in South Lower Saxony, Germany.

The town is full of character and is made up of many half-timbered houses. Its origins date back to 852, the town's first abbey church (Stiftskirche) was started in 856. A mineral spring was discovered in 1240 and this led to Pope Gregory IX asking for the building of the Holy Spirit Hospital. In about 1330 the Duke of Brunswick built a castle which today is used as the magistrates' court and young offenders correctional facility.

As in the Middle Ages so again today two historic trade and pilgrimage routes meet each other in bad Gandersheim, running from North to South and from East to West.

In the late 19th century, the city began to become known for the curative powers of its mineral springs and in 1932 it received the official right to call itself a spa town, thus 'Bad' Gandersheim, on account of these springs.

In the summer of 1926 there was a three-day "Roswitha Memorial Celebration in 1000-year old Gandersheim". This was the first time the medieval author was used as a symbolic figure for the city. Similar celebrations took place in 1930 and 1933; these had clear national-socialistic themes — 'German Culture' versus 'Jewish-Communist Decadence'.

In 1952, the city celebrated the 1100 year jubilee of the founding of the monastery by Liudolf. A history play "The Song of Gandersheim" was presented on the market square.

The summer festival Gandersheimer Domfestspiele, was started in 1959 and has taken place yearly on the plaza in front of the Stiftskirche since that date. Bad Gandersheim has established itself as Lower Saxony's largest professional summer theatre festival. In 2006, its four major productions were attended by approximately 55,000 theatre visitors.

Tourist Information Centre, Stiftsfreiheit 12, +49 5382 73-700. M - F: 10.00 - 13.00 and 15.00 - 17.00, Sa: 10.00 - 12.00 h.

• Bad Gandersheim Cathedral, Concerto Gandersheim e.V., Fuchswinkel 12, +49 5382 9329295. The Cathedral has massive twin towers which dominate the sky. The Cathedral offers over 30 concerts a year ranging from Symphony concerts, Chamber music, piano and organ concerts and our outstanding choirs and vocal ensembles. Tickets can be ordered online. For further information on specific listings visit the web site.
• Brunshausen Monastery, Brunshausen. This is where the town of Bad Gandersheim began. It was founded in 852. You can discover the history and especially the impact it had on the local area. There is a lovely cafe set in the courtyard.
• Museum of the city Bad Gandersheim, Markt 10, +49 5382 1573. Tue-Fri 15.00-17.00, Sat-Sun 10.30-12.30. The Museum houses various private collections of historical documents and objects connected with the city's history. There is a very good view from the top if you can face the climb. For guided tours contact the Tourist Information Office. Admission free.

Bad Gandersheim Cathedral, Concerto Gandersheim e.V., Fuchswinkel 12, +49 5382 9329295. The Cathedral has massive twin towers which dominate the sky. The Cathedral offers over 30 concerts a year ranging from Symphony concerts, Chamber music, piano and organ concerts and our outstanding choirs and vocal ensembles. Tickets can be ordered online. For further information on specific listings visit the web site.

Brunshausen Monastery, Brunshausen. This is where the town of Bad Gandersheim began. It was founded in 852. You can discover the history and especially the impact it had on the local area. There is a lovely cafe set in the courtyard.

Museum of the city Bad Gandersheim, Markt 10, +49 5382 1573. Tue-Fri 15.00-17.00, Sat-Sun 10.30-12.30. The Museum houses various private collections of historical documents and objects connected with the city's history. There is a very good view from the top if you can face the climb. For guided tours contact the Tourist Information Office. Admission free.

• The Pilgrim's Way, +49 4341 38001. As in the Middle Ages so again today two historic trade and pilgrimage routes meet each other in Bad Gandersheim, running from North to South and from East to West. Many backpackers walk these historic routes each year.
• Skulpturenweg. This is a 12 mile bike path that goes from the Brunhausen Monastery in Bad Gandersheim to the Lamspringe Monastery. There are sculptures to view along the way and great views of the local landscape.
• Sole Forest Swimming Pool, Hildesheimer Str. 6b. The centre offers both Indoor and Outdoor pools. It has a very low chlorine content. It has a salt water pool. There are a range of prices depending on how long you stay for etc... Under 3's are free.
• Vital Park, Hildesheimer Straße 7a, +49 5382 95548-0. M-F 9.00-21.30, Sa 9.00-16.00, Su 9.00-13.00. This site offers a 32 degree salt water pool and therapists who combine baths, massages and other wellness feeling applications individually according to your wishes. Please note the sauna is for members only. They also offer various fitness courses including aqua-gym, pilates, aerobics and many more.

The Pilgrim's Way, +49 4341 38001. As in the Middle Ages so again today two historic trade and pilgrimage routes meet each other in Bad Gandersheim, running from North to South and from East to West. Many backpackers walk these historic routes each year.

Skulpturenweg. This is a 12 mile bike path that goes from the Brunhausen Monastery in Bad Gandersheim to the Lamspringe Monastery. There are sculptures to view along the way and great views of the local landscape.

Sole Forest Swimming Pool, Hildesheimer Str. 6b. The centre offers both Indoor and Outdoor pools. It has a very low chlorine content. It has a salt water pool. There are a range of prices depending on how long you stay for etc... Under 3's are free.

Vital Park, Hildesheimer Straße 7a, +49 5382 95548-0. M-F 9.00-21.30, Sa 9.00-16.00, Su 9.00-13.00. This site offers a 32 degree salt water pool and therapists who combine baths, massages and other wellness feeling applications individually according to your wishes. Please note the sauna is for members only. They also offer various fitness courses including aqua-gym, pilates, aerobics and many more.

• Cecil, Burgstr. 3, +49 5382 955669. Clothing for men and women.
• Lidl, Holzmindener Straße 2. Low cost supermarket.
• Heinrich Bertram, Steinweg 35, +49 5382 2827. Local Butchers
• Günter Brackel, Steinweg 9, +49 5382 2691. Bakery Shop

Cecil, Burgstr. 3, +49 5382 955669. Clothing for men and women.

Lidl, Holzmindener Straße 2. Low cost supermarket.

Heinrich Bertram, Steinweg 35, +49 5382 2827. Local Butchers

Günter Brackel, Steinweg 9, +49 5382 2691. Bakery Shop

• Farm Café Sprengel, Wolperode 21, +49 5382 95550. Tu,W,F,Sa 14.00-16.00. A cozy farm cafe which specialties in rustic dishes, and cakes from their farm bakery. The bread is baked in their own stone ovens. Large groups catered for by request.
• Bistro fly Inn, Flugplatzweg 30 (at the Gandersheimer airfield, +49 160 93125100. Wed-Sun from 10.00, for other times book by appointment. Wonderful views on the "Heberbörde" and the Gande- and Leine Valley due to its high altitude. The restaurant can cater for parties of up to 40 people on request.
• Family Ebeling Icecream Shop, Wolperode 50, +49 5382 958472. Set in a quiet farm location, the ice cream café is a popular meeting place. The delicious farm ice cream comes from their own milk and fruit from the garden. They have ever changing seasonal sundae and delicious creations on offer. Opening Hours vary due to the time of the year.

Farm Café Sprengel, Wolperode 21, +49 5382 95550. Tu,W,F,Sa 14.00-16.00. A cozy farm cafe which specialties in rustic dishes, and cakes from their farm bakery. The bread is baked in their own stone ovens. Large groups catered for by request.

Bistro fly Inn, Flugplatzweg 30 (at the Gandersheimer airfield, +49 160 93125100. Wed-Sun from 10.00, for other times book by appointment. Wonderful views on the "Heberbörde" and the Gande- and Leine Valley due to its high altitude. The restaurant can cater for parties of up to 40 people on request.

Family Ebeling Icecream Shop, Wolperode 50, +49 5382 958472. Set in a quiet farm location, the ice cream café is a popular meeting place. The delicious farm ice cream comes from their own milk and fruit from the garden. They have ever changing seasonal sundae and delicious creations on offer. Opening Hours vary due to the time of the year.

• Rosencafe, Brunshausen 7, +49 5382 3144. Tues to Sun from 14.00 to 18.00. The cafe is set in the atmospheric rooms of the monastery and the beautiful courtyard. They will cater for special occasions upon request.
• FLEXX, Hildesheimer Str. 2. 11.00-14.00 & 17.00-20.00 Tue-Sat and Sun 10.00-23.00. The place offers good German cuisine with a seasonal changing menu. from €10.
• Gaststätte zur Ecke, Markt 2 (City centre 20 mtrs from collegiate church, +49 5382 4262. Mon-Sun 9.30-13.00. A cozy family run pub in the heart of bad Gandersheim. Sporting events available for viewing.
• Pizzeria Napoli, Markt 3. daily from 11.30 to 15.00 and 17.00 to 23.00. An Italian resaturant offering good Mediterranean cuisine in the centre of town very near to the cathedral. Tables can be booked and rooms can be hired for sepcial parties etc. from €5.
• Hof-Altgandersheim, Altgandersheim, Rük 7, +49 5382 58188. Su 12.00-18.00, other times for group bookings on request. Choose from either à la carte menu with German / French cuisine, served brunches, multiple course set menus, buffets, or the specialty of the House "Food of the ocean". Grill buffets can be reserved.

Rosencafe, Brunshausen 7, +49 5382 3144. Tues to Sun from 14.00 to 18.00. The cafe is set in the atmospheric rooms of the monastery and the beautiful courtyard. They will cater for special occasions upon request.

FLEXX, Hildesheimer Str. 2. 11.00-14.00 & 17.00-20.00 Tue-Sat and Sun 10.00-23.00. The place offers good German cuisine with a seasonal changing menu. from €10.

Gaststätte zur Ecke, Markt 2 (City centre 20 mtrs from collegiate church, +49 5382 4262. Mon-Sun 9.30-13.00. A cozy family run pub in the heart of bad Gandersheim. Sporting events available for viewing.

Pizzeria Napoli, Markt 3. daily from 11.30 to 15.00 and 17.00 to 23.00. An Italian resaturant offering good Mediterranean cuisine in the centre of town very near to the cathedral. Tables can be booked and rooms can be hired for sepcial parties etc. from €5.

Hof-Altgandersheim, Altgandersheim, Rük 7, +49 5382 58188. Su 12.00-18.00, other times for group bookings on request. Choose from either à la carte menu with German / French cuisine, served brunches, multiple course set menus, buffets, or the specialty of the House "Food of the ocean". Grill buffets can be reserved.

• Irish Pub Am Dom, Fronhof 2, +49 5382 955646. Irish Pub
• Ratsbrauhaus, Markt 10, +49 5382 1061. Home made beer, daily buffet,
• Tanzcafe Gino, Roswithastraße 27. Tu - Sa: from 19:00. Dance cafe. A great place to drink, dance and have fun.

Irish Pub Am Dom, Fronhof 2, +49 5382 955646. Irish Pub

Ratsbrauhaus, Markt 10, +49 5382 1061. Home made beer, daily buffet,

Tanzcafe Gino, Roswithastraße 27. Tu - Sa: from 19:00. Dance cafe. A great place to drink, dance and have fun.

• Osterode - This near by town has a variety of things to offer from historic buildings, the Knights Museum and the ruins of St. Jacobi Scholosskirche to Aqualand an indoor and outdoor swimming centre.
• Bad Grund - This small town has everything to offer from an Arboretum and Clock Museum to an indoor bowling alley, tennis courts and mini golf. You can also experience cave therapy and mud baths! In the winter you can ice skate and ski in the surrounding countryside.
• Goslar - This picturesque town is well worth a day trip. Its romantic palace, the beautiful old timber frame buildings, churches and the museums give you plenty to see. There is also a good collection of shops and cafes around the main market square and the opportunity to explore by horse and carriage. At night the light from the Rathuas' stained glass windows illuminate the town square. 11 km outside of town there is UNESCO Welkulturerbe Rammelsberg a world heritage site. This 1000 year old mine now houses four museums.
• Hildesheim
• Alfeld
• Einbeck