Things to do in Braunschweig
-
A
Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum
Duke, Anton Ulrich (1633-1714) left Braunschweig with an impressive legacy. Like Bruce Chatwin's compulsive collector Utz , Anton Ulrich had an eye for miniature porcelain figures - as well as for crockery, furniture and all types of painting, from Chinese to European. Now the thousands of pieces he assembled in his lifetime are found in the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum. Artefacts, including an ancient Roman onyx cup that survived some escapades through the years, and the most complete museum collection of Fürstenburg porcelain anywhere, are here. Unfortunately, lack of funding often means that opening times for different floors are staggered (as at Burg Dankwarderode), so …
reviewed
-
B
Landesmuseum
The city's Landesmuseum covers German history from a regional perspective. Although the descriptions are only in German, the museum has lots of engaging exhibits that speak for themselves, starting with a large Foucault pendulum illustrating the principle of the Earth's rotation, and augmented by a myriad of artefacts assembled chronologically to tell the story of Germany's past. It is a fascinating museum, not least because of eclectic objects like the strands of hair allegedly belonging to Heinrich der Löwe and Mathilde. They are in cases of silver, gold and marble, specially constructed in 1935 as part of Hitler's propaganda offensive to present Heinrich posthumously a…
reviewed
-
C
Dom St Blasii
Heinrich's tomb is in the crypt of Dom St Blasii, where he lies alongside his wife Mathilde. In a macabre postscript to the duke's life, the Nazis decided to co-opt his image and in 1935 exhumed his tomb to conduct an 'archaeological investigation'. Even Hitler paid a visit. However, the corpse found inside had one leg shorter than the other (it's known that Heinrich suffered a terrible horse-riding accident late in life) and dark hair, and the master-race propagandists went very quiet on the subject after that. There were also questions over the body's gender and some doubt as to whether it's really Heinrich in the sarcophagus.
reviewed
-
D
Hansestube/Boom
Widely regarded as Braunschweig's leading restaurants, these sister establishments in a renovated half-timbered house serve a seasonally changing menu of modern international cuisine. Enjoy Braunschweiger Mummebraten (€13.50) , a roast stuffed with mincemeat and served in a sauce based on Mumme , a local nonalcoholic malt extract. Rooms in the comfortable hotel cost €90 and €110 for singles and doubles, respectively.
reviewed
-
E
Gewandhaus
Of the several market places in Braunschweig, each representing an original township, the Altstadtmarkt is arguably the most appealing, with the step-gabled Renaissance Gewandhaus (1303, façade 1590) and the Gothic Altstadt Rathaus. Inside the Rathaus is the magnificent Dronse meeting hall. The tourist office can help with individual details on other buildings.
reviewed
-
F
Rondo
A great find on the top floor of the Staatstheater 'Kleines Haus' building, Rondo has a modern bistro-style room decorated with dramatic photos of opera diva Maria Callas, plus a roof terrace offering city views. The food is plain and simple at lunch, but steps up a notch at dinner. Coffee and cake can be had when the kitchen closes from 3pm to 6pm.
reviewed
-
G
Mutter Habenicht
This 'Mother Hubbard' sure doesn't have a bare cupboard, as she dishes up filling portions of schnitzels, potatoes, steaks, spare ribs and the occasional Balkan dish. Seasonal specialities like Spargel (white asparagus) are also served in the dimly lit, bric-a-brac-filled front room, or in the small beer garden out the back.
reviewed
-
H
Staatstheater Braunschweig
Staatstheater Braunschweig is the historic venue for classical music, theatre, dance and opera. Tickets range from €7 to €38 depending on venue, performance and seat. The tourist office also sells tickets, or turn up an hour before the event for rush tickets.
reviewed
-
I
Stechinelli's Kartoffel-Keller & Gewandhaus
In the basement of the Rathaus, these adjacent restaurants are touristy but ever-popular. You can indulge in potatoes over three courses in casual Stechinelli's, from potato soup to potato waffles for dessert. Gewandhaus has an identical menu but closes from 2pm to 6pm.
reviewed
-
J
Happy Rizzi House
Particularly eye-catching is the Happy Rizzi House, which is actually three colourful buildings decorated by American pop artist James Rizzi. Hearts are a recurring theme on the facade, while curved windows form integral parts of facial murals.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Burg Dankwarderode
Heinrich's former Burg Dankwarderode is now a museum. It houses a glittering medieval collection, including golden sculptures of arms, medieval capes, and the original bronze lion statue cast in 1166. Upstairs is a huge, spectacularly adorned Knights' Hall.
reviewed
-
L
Staatstheater 'Kleines Haus'
Staatstheater 'Kleines Haus' is the second of four performance spaces. Tickets range from €7 to €38 depending on venue, performance and seat. The tourist office also sells tickets, or turn up an hour before the event for rush tickets.
reviewed
-
M
Restaurant Brodocz
This Braunschweig institution specialises in salads and vegetarian soups and mains, augmented by piscine delights, with everything from English-style fish and chips to dorade, perch and salmon. The evening menu offers a smaller selection of dishes.
reviewed
-
N
Magnikirche
Don't miss this arty precinct-cum-traditional quarter around the 11th-century Magnikirche. Restaurants and bars have colonised the area's many restored half-timbered houses and there are some great boutique stores.
reviewed
-
Castle
Heinrich's former castle is now a museum. It houses a glittering medieval collection, including golden sculptures of arms, medieval capes and the original bronze lion statue cast in 1166.
reviewed
-
Jolly Joker
This popular evergreen with a capacity of 4000 features four separate dance spaces, 10 bars including a huge cocktail bar, and several food outlets. Expect top-100 dance-chart hits. The same complex also houses a cinema.
reviewed
-
O
Merz
Spacious and relaxed, Merz is a long-standing favourite especially among the student crowd, with table football, a beer garden, and a few snacks to nibble with inexpensive drinks. The lounge area opens at 10pm.
reviewed
-
P
Knochenhauer
The bistro/bar of choice among Braunschweig's hip, casual set, Knochenhauer buzzes on a summer eve with friends getting together for drinks or light snacks. There are also DJs on Friday and Saturday night.
reviewed
-
Q
Strupait
Nestled on a corner in the Magniviertel, this cafe and bar also serves a few light dishes such as quiche to accompany the wine in an elegant interior. It has outside seating in summer.
reviewed
-
R
42° Fieber
Upstairs from Lindbergh Palace here is 42° Fieber, with a round dance floor, red sofas and a demure mood where disco classics and house get a hearing.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Cave Noire
Three venues stand cheek-by-jowl near Merz on Kalenwall and draw a mid-20s crowd. Cave Noire is a champagne-style bar that also serves affordable beer and wine.
reviewed
-
T
Barnaby's Blues Bar
A regular flow of artists take the stage each month in this poky, smoky blues bar that gets local unknowns to legends, like Mitch Ryder, on tour.
reviewed
-
U
Tandir
This top takeaway Turk is the place to head to after a night out in the venues on Katenwall. It also has a couple of tables.
reviewed
-
V
Hochdrei
This young, upbeat café bar is the place to come for cheap drinks, with vodka kicking off at around €1.
reviewed
-
W
Lindbergh Palace
Alongside Cave Noire is Lindbergh Palace, where DJs turn soul and funk.
reviewed
