Hildesheim is a city in the north German region (Land) of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen).
The historical centre of Hildesheim consisted of over 1900 half-timbered buildings and was often called "Nuremberg of the north" up to the Second World War. During the war, 90% of the centre was destroyed; only a few lanes in the southern centre remained unchanged. Today the centre consists mainly of postwar buildings, 1950 to 1970. However, many historical monuments have been reconstructed. In this process, some of the changes of the last few centuries were removed and the original form of the buildings restored. Two church buildings were declared UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1985.
- Marktplatz. - and surrounding buildings which include, among others, Rathaus (Town Hall), Knochenhauer-Amtshaus (Butchers' Guild Hall), Bäckeramtshaus (Bakers' Guild Hall), Tempelhaus and Wedekindhaus.
- Umgestülpter Zuckerhut. Half-timbered house,built between 1500 and 1510, destroyed in World War II, reconstructed in 2010.
- St. Mary's Cathedral, Domhof. Open daily from 10AM to 6PM. UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, dates back to the 11th century. See the bronze doors and bronze column, both commissioned by Bishop Bernward around 1015 and the 1000-year-old rosebush in the cloister. Free.
- St. Michael's Church, Michaelisplatz, +49 5121 34410. Open: Apr.-Oct. M,W-F 9AM-4PM, Tu 10AM-6PM, Su 12AM-6PM, Nov.-Mar. M,W-F 9AM-4PM, Tu 10AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 12AM-6PM. Early Romanesque church famous for its Ottonian architecture and the unique "Jessebom", a painted family tree of Jesus-Christ on the wooden ceiling. Also World Cultural Heritage. Free.
- St. Andrew's Church, Andreasplatz. Open: Apr-Sep. M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9PM-4PM, Su 11:30AM-4PM, Oct.-Mar. Mo-Sa 9AM-16PM, Su 11:30AM-4PM. It has the tallest church tower in Lower Saxony (114.5 metres, can be accessed and offers great views). Church: free, tower visit: € 2.50, children € 2.
St. Mary's Cathedral, Domhof. Open daily from 10AM to 6PM. UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, dates back to the 11th century. See the bronze doors and bronze column, both commissioned by Bishop Bernward around 1015 and the 1000-year-old rosebush in the cloister. Free.
St. Michael's Church, Michaelisplatz, +49 5121 34410. Open: Apr.-Oct. M,W-F 9AM-4PM, Tu 10AM-6PM, Su 12AM-6PM, Nov.-Mar. M,W-F 9AM-4PM, Tu 10AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 12AM-6PM. Early Romanesque church famous for its Ottonian architecture and the unique "Jessebom", a painted family tree of Jesus-Christ on the wooden ceiling. Also World Cultural Heritage. Free.
St. Andrew's Church, Andreasplatz. Open: Apr-Sep. M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9PM-4PM, Su 11:30AM-4PM, Oct.-Mar. Mo-Sa 9AM-16PM, Su 11:30AM-4PM. It has the tallest church tower in Lower Saxony (114.5 metres, can be accessed and offers great views). Church: free, tower visit: € 2.50, children € 2.
- The Roemer und Pelizaeus Museum, Am Steine 1-2, +49 5121 93690. Open Tu, W, F-Su 10AM-6PM, Th until 8PM, closed M. One of the oldest museums in Germany, with world class collections of natural history, ancient Egyptian and Peruvian antiquities, and local history. The museum is also noted for the quality of its special exhibitions. Entry: € 10, concessions: € 8, children 6-14 yrs € 5, family: € 20..
- Stadtmuseum Hildesheim, Markt 7, +49 5121 29936 85. Open Tu-Su 10AM-6PM, closed M. Museum located in a reconstructed Knochenhauer-Amtshaus (Butchers' Guild Hall building) next to the Markt. Permanent exhibition concerns city history. Entry: € 2.50, children 6-14 yrs: € 1.50.
- Cathedral Museum, Domhof 18-21, +49 5121 307 760. Open Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, closed M. A rich collection of liturgical objects and works of art of exceptional quality spanning many centuries. Entry: € 6, children -18 yrs: free.
The Roemer und Pelizaeus Museum, Am Steine 1-2, +49 5121 93690. Open Tu, W, F-Su 10AM-6PM, Th until 8PM, closed M. One of the oldest museums in Germany, with world class collections of natural history, ancient Egyptian and Peruvian antiquities, and local history. The museum is also noted for the quality of its special exhibitions. Entry: € 10, concessions: € 8, children 6-14 yrs € 5, family: € 20..
Stadtmuseum Hildesheim, Markt 7, +49 5121 29936 85. Open Tu-Su 10AM-6PM, closed M. Museum located in a reconstructed Knochenhauer-Amtshaus (Butchers' Guild Hall building) next to the Markt. Permanent exhibition concerns city history. Entry: € 2.50, children 6-14 yrs: € 1.50.
Cathedral Museum, Domhof 18-21, +49 5121 307 760. Open Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, closed M. A rich collection of liturgical objects and works of art of exceptional quality spanning many centuries. Entry: € 6, children -18 yrs: free.
- Castle Marienburg, Marienburg 1, 30982 Pattensen (20km south of Hanover, 16 km west of Hildesheim.. Open daily from March until the end of October from 10.00AM to 6.00PM. The last castle tour begins at 5:00PM.. Considered one of the most important neo-Gothic historical buildings in Germany, the castle will transport you back to a day in the life of a Hanoverian court. Its many turrets dominates the rolling hills of the valley of the River Leine. You can take a comprehensive tour of the castle allowing you to see its grand halls and historic rooms. Prices: €7, children 4–6 years: €4, 7-12 y.: €5, 13-17 y.:€6..
- Schloss Derneburg / Hall Art Foundation, Schlossstraße 1, 31188 Holle; visitor center: Astenbeck 42, 31188 Holle, +49 5062 96 40 294. Sat/Sun 11am (5 hr tour), short tour availabe Wed/Sat at 3pm. Formerly home to the artist Georg Baselitz, this castle has opened to the public in 2017. Now owned by Andrew Hall, who renovated and curated art exposition with his wife Christine. It is within the boundaries of the village Derneburg, being part of the Holle municipality, 75 Euro long tour (incl. lunch), 30 Euro short tour.
Castle Marienburg, Marienburg 1, 30982 Pattensen (20km south of Hanover, 16 km west of Hildesheim.. Open daily from March until the end of October from 10.00AM to 6.00PM. The last castle tour begins at 5:00PM.. Considered one of the most important neo-Gothic historical buildings in Germany, the castle will transport you back to a day in the life of a Hanoverian court. Its many turrets dominates the rolling hills of the valley of the River Leine. You can take a comprehensive tour of the castle allowing you to see its grand halls and historic rooms. Prices: €7, children 4–6 years: €4, 7-12 y.: €5, 13-17 y.:€6..
Schloss Derneburg / Hall Art Foundation, Schlossstraße 1, 31188 Holle; visitor center: Astenbeck 42, 31188 Holle, +49 5062 96 40 294. Sat/Sun 11am (5 hr tour), short tour availabe Wed/Sat at 3pm. Formerly home to the artist Georg Baselitz, this castle has opened to the public in 2017. Now owned by Andrew Hall, who renovated and curated art exposition with his wife Christine. It is within the boundaries of the village Derneburg, being part of the Holle municipality, 75 Euro long tour (incl. lunch), 30 Euro short tour.
Marktplatz. - and surrounding buildings which include, among others, Rathaus (Town Hall), Knochenhauer-Amtshaus (Butchers' Guild Hall), Bäckeramtshaus (Bakers' Guild Hall), Tempelhaus and Wedekindhaus.
Umgestülpter Zuckerhut. Half-timbered house,built between 1500 and 1510, destroyed in World War II, reconstructed in 2010.
- hi climb - DAV Kletterzentrum Hildesheim, Lerchenkamp 52, +49 5121 134208. Open: M-Th 2PM-11PM, F 10AM-11PM, Sa,Su 10AM-9PM. 90 climbing routes, 1.000m² climbing area, 14m heigh wall. € 13.50, children € 8.
- Hildesheim Invaders. The first division (GFL North) American Football team in town
- M'era Luna. second weekend in August. Each year around 25,000 fans of metal, industrial, dark-wave and goth music gather at this festival which is possibly the most famous of its kind in Europe. Many top names in these genres have performed here at least once and the 2014 event included Within Temptation and Marilyn Manson among others.
M'era Luna. second weekend in August. Each year around 25,000 fans of metal, industrial, dark-wave and goth music gather at this festival which is possibly the most famous of its kind in Europe. Many top names in these genres have performed here at least once and the 2014 event included Within Temptation and Marilyn Manson among others.
hi climb - DAV Kletterzentrum Hildesheim, Lerchenkamp 52, +49 5121 134208. Open: M-Th 2PM-11PM, F 10AM-11PM, Sa,Su 10AM-9PM. 90 climbing routes, 1.000m² climbing area, 14m heigh wall. € 13.50, children € 8.
Hildesheim Invaders. The first division (GFL North) [[American Football]] team in town
- Cafe Del Sol, Frankenstraße 43a (Berliner Kreisel, +49 5121 280935. Open Su-Tu 9AM-12PM, F-Sa until 1AM. Café and Bistro in the style of American colonial architecture.
- Eiscafé Capri, Almsstraße 3, +49 5121 2081766. Great ice cream parlor located in the pedestrian area.
- Die Insel, Dammstraße 30, +49 5121 14535. Open Tu-Sa 11AM-12PM, Su 11AM-6PM, closed M. Restaurant and cafe on a small river island.
- Meyers Treppchen, Brauhausstraße 40, +49 5121 888000. Open: M-Sa 5PM-, Su 11AM-2:30PM & 5PM-, closed W. German cuisine and South German specialities. Beer garden in a beautiful location.
Cafe Del Sol, Frankenstraße 43a (Berliner Kreisel, +49 5121 280935. Open Su-Tu 9AM-12PM, F-Sa until 1AM. Café and Bistro in the style of American colonial architecture.
Eiscafé Capri, Almsstraße 3, +49 5121 2081766. Great ice cream parlor located in the pedestrian area.
Die Insel, Dammstraße 30, +49 5121 14535. Open Tu-Sa 11AM-12PM, Su 11AM-6PM, closed M. Restaurant and cafe on a small river island.
Meyers Treppchen, Brauhausstraße 40, +49 5121 888000. Open: M-Sa 5PM-, Su 11AM-2:30PM & 5PM-, closed W. German cuisine and South German specialities. Beer garden in a beautiful location.
- Potters Bar, Friesenstraße 17, +49 5121 14698. Open M-Sa 7PM-. Selection of over 200 different cocktails, many other drinks and non-alcoholic alternatives.
- Kulturfabrik Löseke, Langer Garten 1, +49 5121 7509450. Big brick building right next to the railway, former factory. Inside a cafe, club, cinema, exhibition spaces, workshops and who knows what more.
Potters Bar, Friesenstraße 17, +49 5121 14698. Open M-Sa 7PM-. Selection of over 200 different cocktails, many other drinks and non-alcoholic alternatives.
Kulturfabrik Löseke, Langer Garten 1, +49 5121 7509450. Big brick building right next to the railway, former factory. Inside a cafe, club, cinema, exhibition spaces, workshops and who knows what more.