At first glance, many visitors to Hanover think it is a palace, but it is actually the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). Today, the glorious building, which was erected in 1913 and dates back to the era of Wilhelm II, is one of the landmarks of this metropolis on the Leine river. The town hall is not just a landmark, it is also one of the city’s most photographed buildings.
Still to this day, it is the seat of the Lord Mayor, the head of Hanover’s municipal administration. This is where meetings are held by political bodies, functions are organised for official visitors to the city, exhibitions are hosted and the Bürgerbüro (Citizens’ Advice Bureau) is based. And yet this landmark is always open to visitors. It is worth going for the stunning views alone. The diagonal lift, which takes visitors up to the dome on top of the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), is one of a kind. On the way up to the dome, which stands 97 m above the ground, visitors are first transported vertically and then at a 17-degree angle up to the top. This spot boasts breathtaking views of the entire city. With good visibility, tourists can even see the Harz mountains in the distance.
