Dating back to the 1300s, the Marktkirche, the church at the marketplace, is among Hannover’s oldest and most iconic structures. It is the principal Lutheran church of the city and is made in the North German brick Gothic architectural design. Inspect the various ancient symbols decorating the façade and interior and consider their meaning.
Capture photos of this redbrick structure, with the western bell tower rising above the rest of the rooftops. The tower was a symbol of the wealth and power of the town citizens and continues to dominate the Hannover skyline. The church has 11 bells, including a very large one used to mark special occasions.
Enter the structure and gaze up at the saddleback roof, typical of German hall churches, standing above the nave and aisles. Examine the main altar, which was carved from linden wood in the late 15th century. It contains images of the Passion of Christ on one side and the church’s patron saints of James and George on the other.
Marvel at the main organ, one of the greatest treasures in the church, standing against the back wall. It was installed after World War II and has been renovated with a blend of new and old stops.
Look at the large pentagram symbol on the western tower and the hexagram surrounding the clock. These symbols sparked conspiracy theories about the occult, although it seems these stars have a more traditional role in German ecclesiastical history.
Note that the full name of the church is the Marktkirche St. Georgii et Jacobi. Its roof and certain other features were destroyed in an air raid during World War II, before being restored in 1952. A historic 17th-century figure known to Germans as Deutsche Michel, who led the Danish and German armies, is buried here.
Find the Marktkirche in the southwestern part of Hannover’s historic center. Take the U-Bahn to the Hannover Markthalle stop and walk northwest for several blocks to arrive here. Make sure to see other sights in the area, including the Historisches Museum, the Ballhof theater and the GOP Varieté Theater Hannover.
