Hildesheim

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.

By plane

The nearest commercial airport is Hanover Airport (HAJ). Approximately 30-40 minutes by car or around one hour by train.

By car

Hildesheim is connected to the Autobahn network with A7.

By train

• It is an ICE stop every hour for several connections, like Berlin - Frankfurt.
• There is also Regional-Express from Hanover every hour or so.
• There is also two S-Bahn-lines from Hanover every half hour or so.

The city centre can be explored comfortably on foot. All objects of interest and public buildings are out-described. The cycle track net is nearly complete, up to few distances in the centre. Also for cyclists there are own, uniform signs in the city and the region of Hildesheim. For further distances buses and taxis are present. A single ticket for the city bus costs €2.15 for adults and €1 for children (2012). It applies 60 minute long to as many as desired uses. With the city ticket at the price of €6.80 2 adults and 2 children can make as many as desired bus travels during whole day. For nighthawks there is the night bus for the city and the entire county. No extra charge. For more informations call Stadtwerke Hildesheim, .

• Marktplatz- and surrounding buildings which include, among others, Rathaus (Town Hall), Knochenhauer-Amtshaus (Butchers' Guild Hall), Bäckeramtshaus (Bakers' Guild Hall), Tempelhaus and Wedekindhaus.

• Umgestülpter ZuckerhutHalf-timbered house,built between 1500 and 1510, destroyed in World War II, reconstructed in 2010.

Churches

• St. Mary's Cathedral

  address: Domhof
  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.

• St. Michael's Church

  phone: +49 5121 34410
  address: Michaelisplatz
  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.

• St. Andrew's Church

  address: Andreasplatz
  It has the tallest church tower in Lower Saxony (114.5 metres, can be accessed and offers great views).

Museums and Galleries

• The Roemer und Pelizaeus Museum

  phone: +49 5121 93690
  address: Am Steine 1-2
  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.

• Stadtmuseum Hildesheim

  phone: +49 5121 29936 85
  address: Markt 7
  Museum located in a reconstructed Knochenhauer-Amtshaus (Butchers' Guild Hall building) next to the Markt. Permanent exhibition concerns city history.

• Cathedral Museum

  phone: +49 5121 307 760
  address: Domhof 18-21
  A rich collection of liturgical objects and works of art of exceptional quality spanning many centuries.

Further afield

• Castle Marienburg

  address: Marienburg 1, 30982 Pattensen
  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.

• Schloss Derneburg / Hall Art Foundation

  phone: +49 5062 96 40 294
  address: Schlossstraße 1, 31188 Holle; visitor center: Astenbeck 42, 31188 Holle
  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,

• hi climb - DAV Kletterzentrum Hildesheim

  phone: +49 5121 134208
  address: Lerchenkamp 52
  90 climbing routes, 1.000m² climbing area, 14m heigh wall.

• Hildesheim InvadersThe first division (GFL North) American Football team in town

Events

• M'era LunaEach 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.

• Cafe Del Sol

  phone: +49 5121 280935
  address: Frankenstraße 43a
  Café and Bistro in the style of American colonial architecture.

• Eiscafé Capri

  phone: +49 5121 2081766
  address: Almsstraße 3
  Great ice cream parlor located in the pedestrian area.

• Die Insel

  phone: +49 5121 14535
  address: Dammstraße 30
  Restaurant and cafe on a small river island.

• Meyers Treppchen

  phone: +49 5121 888000
  address: Brauhausstraße 40
  German cuisine and South German specialities. Beer garden in a beautiful location.

• Potters Bar

  phone: +49 5121 14698
  address: Friesenstraße 17
  Selection of over 200 different cocktails, many other drinks and non-alcoholic alternatives.

• Kulturfabrik Löseke

  phone: +49 5121 7509450
  address: Langer Garten 1
  Big brick building right next to the railway, former factory. Inside a cafe, club, cinema, exhibition spaces, workshops and who knows what more.

Booking a room in Hildesheim well in advance is highly recommended as hotels can easily get full and/or raise their rates during the times of exhibitions and conventions in Hanover, a city only half an hour away when taking the autobahn.

• Jugendherberge Hildesheim

  phone: +49 5121 42717
  address: Schirrmannweg 4

• Hotel Meyer

  phone: +49 5121 53179
  address: Peiner Landstraße 185

• Gästehaus Klocke

  phone: +49 5121 179213
  address: Humboldtstraße 11

• Hotel Bürgermeisterkapelle

  phone: +49 5121 17929 99
  address: Rathausstraße 8

• Novotel Hildesheim

  phone: +49 5121 17170
  address: Bahnhofsallee 38

• Van der Valk Hotel Hildesheim

  phone: +49 5121 3000
  address: Markt 4

• Brunswick
• Goslar
• Hamelin
• Hanover
• Harz