Herrenhausen Gardens Great Garden

The Herrenhausen Gardens (Herrenhäuser Gärten) consist of four gardens, of which the Great Garden is one of the most important baroque gardens in Europe. The Great Garden began around 1665 as a pleasure garden for the palace built at its edge. The gardens were significantly enlarged and redesigned over time and the Great Fountain was added in 1720 (the highest of its time in a European court).

The Great Garden was largely completed by 1710 and at 50 hectares (124 acres), it was roughly the size of the old town of Hannover which had a population of 10,000 at the time.  The city of Hannover acquired the garden in 1936 and completely restored it after the Second World War.

We enter and start to stroll through the spring plantings.

Spring flowers

The leaves are just emerging on the trees, contrasting with the bright floral plantings.

Trees starting to turn green

A few of the smaller fountains are working, but the larger fountains have not restarted after the winter.

Smaller water features starting up

Large fountains quiet

We wander into a few small courtyards where tulips are just starting to bloom and bushes are starting to blossom, adding color alongside the bushes and trees on which leaves are starting to emerge.

Tulips Emerging

Bushes blossoming

As we walk back toward the palace, we find more spring contrasts as plants, bushes, and trees all transition from winter at their own pace.

Back to the palace

We leave and cross the street to find other gardens and delights.