Braunschweig between the cathedral, the Oker and Mumme

Cathedral, castle and half-timbered quarter

Henry the Lion had St. Blasius Cathedral built between 1173 and 1195 as a three-aisled vaulted basilica. Its medieval furnishings include the altar of the Virgin Mary from 1188, a seven-branched candelabrum from around 1170/80 and the Imervard Cross from the second half of the 12th century. Wall paintings and the tomb of Henry the Lion and Matilda are also among them. These details show how closely Braunschweig's history and its art treasures are connected.

Dankwarderode Castle was built around 1160 to 1175 as Henry the Lion's palace, replacing a Brunonian complex. From 1885 to 1906, city architect Ludwig Winter had it rebuilt as a neo-Romanesque building in the spirit of historicism. Burgplatz is considered the heart of the city and makes a fitting point of reference for understanding these historic buildings. The Magniviertel offers a different impression: it is one of Braunschweig's oldest surviving city quarters. Its half-timbered houses are home to small shops and cafés.

Museums and diverse collections

At the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum, a long history of collecting meets a broad range of art. The museum has more than 300 years of collecting history and displays paintings, applied arts and sculptures. Around 4,000 works of art spanning 3,000 years of art history can be seen across 4,000 square metres of exhibition space. These figures give an idea of how much space the collection devotes to different eras and art forms.

The Städtisches Museum Braunschweig offers another cultural and historical perspective. Founded in 1861, it displays more than 270,000 exhibits on the history of Braunschweig and its citizens in two buildings. At the Museum Hinter Aegidien, the permanent exhibition “A Part of Us. German-Jewish Stories from Lower Saxony” opened to visitors on 9 December 2021. Alongside works of art, the focus also includes the city's history and Jewish stories from Lower Saxony.

Riddagshausen and the Oker

The Riddagshausen nature reserve is also part of the city and is Braunschweig's largest nature reserve. Its natural pond landscape lies in the east of the city, between Riddagshausen, Gliesmarode, Schapen and Weddel. It provides a scenic counterpoint to the historic buildings and collections. Those who want to get to know Braunschweig through more than just its architecture will find another side of the city here.

You can explore Braunschweig from the water on the Oker by raft, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. From May to October, raft trips are also available, including barbecue cruises and guided city tours on the water. Raft trips are seasonal; check the current dates for your trip. The difference between a guided trip and exploring by canoe or board can help you plan, without having to choose just one kind of experience on the water.

Weekly market and Braunschweig Mumme

A traditional weekly market takes place at Altstadtmarkt on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The mummegenussmeile adds the city's culinary history to the picture: the event weekend takes place every year in November and brings the historical, cultural and culinary significance of Mumme as part of Braunschweig's history to life. Check the latest market details and event dates for your travel dates.

You can also try dishes made with Braunschweig Mumme and Mumme beer in Braunschweig outside the event weekend. Together, the market, Mumme and the city's history offer a different way to experience the city than its museums and architecture. The seasonal raft trips and the November weekend provide their own distinct highlights throughout the year.

Discover more destinations: Wolfsburg, Salzgitter, Wilhelmshaven.

Go to the main travel overview: Lower Saxony.