Sightseeing in Hildesheim

Hildesheim's principal attractions are its beautiful Marktplatz and its Romanesque churches. Also, the Brühl area has its fair share of original half-timbered buildings.

Markt Area

On March 22, 1945, air raids destroyed virtually the entire historic center of town. Hildesheim was known for its beautiful half-timbered buildings, but the ample use of wood was their undoing when fires raged after the bombing raid. After the war, Hildesheim rebuilt in modern and ugly style. However, in the 1980s, the buildings at the Markt were restored to their former glory. They now serve as reminder of what was lost in the war, not only here but also in many other German cities.

On the west side of the Marktplatz is the eight-storey, High Gothic Knochenhaueramthaus (Butchers’ Guild Hall) – which currently houses the Stadtmuseum – often considered the most beautiful half-timbered... See more

Adjacent is the much smaller Bäckeramthaus (1800). The three buildings on the north side are joined inside to form Le Méridien Hotel. The Rokokohaus (1757) in the middle is flanked by the Stadtschäncke (1666) and the Wollenwebergildehauses (Weavers’ Guild Hall, from about 1600).

The Gothic Rathaus (Town Hall) dates to 1268 but it has been altered often in subsequent years and the current restoration is a simplified version of the original. Its carillon plays daily at noon, 1, and 5 pm, as well as... See more

On the south side is the oriental-looking 14th-century Tempelhaus. Its most interesting feature is the Renaissance oriel or bay window (1591)

The Renaissance Wenekindhaus (1598) has lovely bay windows running almost the full length of the building.

The adjacent Lüntzelhaus dates from the mid-18th century.

The 14th-century Rolandhaus has a Baroque porch added in 1730.

Just south of the Markt is the 14th-century Gothic St Andreaskirche (St Andrew’s Church), Andreasplatz, 05121-12-434. The church was destroyed in 1945 but reconstructed soon after. The interior is rather bare but it has... See more

Michaelishügel

St Michael on Michaelisplatz, constructed between 1010 and 1033, is an excellent example of Early Romanesque or Ottonian architecture. The basilica has a triple nave, double chancels, and alternates the use of columns... See more

Downhill from St Michael is the Dom (Cathedral), on Domhof. It dates to 872, but had major alterations between the 11th and 14th centuries. There was severe damage in 1945 but it was restored to its original condition. This is a prime... See more

Just west of the Dom, is the Roemer-Pelizaeus-Museum, Am Steine 2, with an important Egyptian and Peruvian collection. (Roemer here refers to the name of the founder and not to Romans!) The museum annually stages... See more

Brühl Area

In contrast to the town center, the half-timbered buildings in the Brühl area are originals that were spared the devastation of the air raids and subsequent fires in 1945. Good examples can be seen in Hinterer Brühl, Brühl, Gelber Stern, and Keßlerstraße. Especially noteworthy is the Wernerhaus (1606) at the lower end of Hinterer Brühl.

In the same area is the 12th-century Romanesque St Godhardikirche (St Gothard’s Church), Godehardsplatz. This basilica is one of the few in Germany that kept its original Romanesque style unaltered. The silhouette has clean... See more