Neues Rathaus, Maschsee, Maschpark

- New Town Hall

Just to the South of the Old Town is the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), a really impressive castle like building from 1913 in eclectic style (with baroque and gothic elements), that can be visited inside. It has a huge cathedral like marble atrium with models of Hannover, before and after the 1945 bombings. Neues Rathaus was one of few buildings that at least partly survived the bombings. There is a strange diagonal elevator that goes to the top of the cupola, something I wasn’t aware of during the visit. In front of the Neues Rathaus is the green Maschpark and the Maschsee, a beautiful rectangular lake with fountains and boats. Palm trees are overlooking the lake. Sprengel Museum (a modern art museum) and Landesmusem Hannover are museums in the area. The tall Waterloo column is also near. Norddeutsche Landesbank's HQ is a strange highrise in the area from 2002, with glass stories that go in different angles.