Discover the Guelph Castle: Historical tours in Hanover!

Discover the Guelph Castle: Historical tours in Hanover!

On July 8, 2025, Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) will again be offering exciting tours of its campus. These tours, which are organized in cooperation with Stattreisen Hannover e.V., give participants a comprehensive insight into the history and architecture of the Guelph Castle as well as other important areas of the university. Particularly noteworthy are the visits to the historic stables building and the Conti Campus, which are offered as part of these tours.

The Guelph Castle, which has served as the LUH's main building since 1879, is a former royal palace that was built by King George V of Hanover between 1857 and 1866 in the neo-Gothic style. On the site of the former Monbrillant Castle, it is being built as a magnificent landmark that has experienced numerous changes and challenges over the years. The building complex, parts of which were badly damaged during the Second World War, is surrounded by a large English landscape garden, the Welfengarten.

Insight into the tours

The tours include not only the Guelph Castle, but also the stables building, which once served as a horse stable for the Prussian army and is now used as a modern library. After extensive renovations, it is now accessible and offers a historical reading room for guided tours. Participants have the opportunity to visit the university senate in the castle, visit an internal school lecture hall and explore listed buildings on the Conti campus, which was once the headquarters of the tire manufacturer Continental.

• Termine der Führungen „Welfenschloss und Wissenschaft“:
  • 12. Juli 2025 um 11 Uhr
  • 27. September 2025 um 11 Uhr
• Kosten pro Führung: 12 Euro
• Anmeldungen sind direkt über die Webseite von Stattreisen möglich.
• Gruppenbuchungen auf Anfrage, auch in englischer Sprache, sind verfügbar.

Mechtild Freiin v. Münchhausen, press spokeswoman for the LUH, is available for further information and can be contacted on +49 511 762 5342 or by email at kommunikation@uni-hannover.de.

The Guelph Castle and its history

A masterpiece of architecture, the Guelph Castle reflects the tradition of the Guelph rulers and is decorated with several important sculptures. One of the most important sculptures is that of Henry the Lion, which was erected in 1862. The castle garden is not only a place of relaxation, but also a cultural treasure, rich in historical sculptures and monuments.

The history of the Guelph Castle is as fascinating as it is complex, marked by the transition from royal ownership to use as an educational institution. After the Guelphs lost control in 1866, the castle initially remained empty and only found its new purpose in 1879 as the home of the higher technical school, which was elevated to a university in 1899. The extensive renovation by Hermann Hunaeus ensured the restoration and preservation of the building, so that it is now a striking landmark in Hanover.

The guided tours of the university offer a unique opportunity to experience this historic place and to get to know the roots of the university. Registration is recommended to secure a spot and experience the rich history and architecture of the Guelph Castle and the entire campus up close.

For more information about the Guelph Castle and its history, the City of Hanover also offers numerous resources, including details on the architectural aspects and historical significance of the building. A visit is not only educational but also enriches the cultural understanding of this important region.

uni-hannover.de reports that…
en.wikipedia.org provides information about the history of the Guelph Castle.
hannover.de provides additional insights into the architecture and history of the Guelph Castle.