Historical Buildings and Places

The historical market square, with its impressive half-timbered-buildings, build a bridge to the present. From 1984 to 1990, it was reconstructed on the basis of the original plans on the initiative of the citizens of Hildesheim and with the help of generous donations. The famous Butchers' Guildhall houses of the city museum, which invites visitors to travel back in time through the history of the city and the region.
To the south, there are the Tempelhaus (14th century), the historical facades of the "Wedekind" building (1598), the "Lüntzel" building (approximately 1750) and the "Roland" building (14th century). On the west side, we find the Bakers' Guildhall (approximately 1800) and the Butchers' Guildhall (1529). The exquisite "Rococo" building (1757) is situated on the north side of the square between the facades of the Stadtschänke (1666) and the Wool Weavers' Guildhall (approximately 1600), while the original City Hall (1268) still flanks the east.
The Tempelhaus, an old patricians' house belonging to the von Harlessem family is now home to the tourist-information office and the city library. The Renaissance bay window is a prime example of the outstanding skills of Hildesheim's stonecutters (1591).

The historical quarter takes us back to the early history of the city. This is where approximately 1,900 magnificient half-timbered buildings once stood. In 1945, however, all the splendor was reduced to rubble - 90% of the historical quarter was destroyed during an air raid on March 22, 1945. The old streets that still remain intact show how beautiful this part must have been.
The old half-timbered buildings along the street "Gelber Stern", "Hinterer Brühl", "Lappenberg" and "Keßlerstraße" give you an impression of what Hildesheim looked like at the beginning of the 20th century. One of the most beautiful buildings is the Wernersche Haus dating from 1606 (Gelber Stern/Hinterer Brühl).

The city archive is housed in what used to be the Cathedral Officials Offices, then the "Haus der Landschaft" and this is where all the documents that are important to the history of the city are kept today. Some of them go back to the 12th century.

The bronze monument is based on a legend and depicts a thief stealing apples who is bent under the weight of a little gnome on his shoulder (as a symbol of guilty conscience).

The Roman statues and emperor's medallions from the former Renaissance building now decorate the facade of this modern building.

The last remaining tower of the former city fortifications is used today as exhibition space by the Artists' Association.

The former Episcopal fortification is now used by the Foundation of the University of Hildesheim and houses a school museum, the Library of the Research of the History of Education and a café.