New Town Hall Hanover

Hanover's New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) looks more like a palace than an office building: a grand early 20th-century structure crowned by a green copper dome and reflected in a park pond. Inside you'll find a soaring main hall with four city models and a one-of-a-kind inclined elevator that rides up the curve of the dome to a viewing platform about 90 meters high. It is the city's signature sight and an essential stop on any visit to Hanover.

Where it is and how to get there

The town hall stands at the southern edge of Hanover's city center, next to the Maschpark and the Maschsee lake. From the Aegidientorplatz subway station (lines U1, U2, U4, U5, U6, U8 and U11) it is about a five-minute walk. Hanover is easy to reach by ICE from Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne, and the city's own public transport is covered by the Deutschlandticket. Hanover Airport has a direct S-Bahn connection to the main station.

History in brief

Hanover grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, and its administration needed a larger home. Construction began in 1901; because the site lies in the floodplain of the Leine River, 6,026 beech piles were driven into the ground to support it. Architect Hermann Eggert designed the building in the historicist style, and his successor Gustav Halmhuber added Art Nouveau touches such as the marble staircase. Completed in 1913, it stands 97.73 meters tall and is, according to the city, the only town hall in Germany topped by a dome. The city council still meets here.

Things to do inside

• City models: four models show Hanover in 1689, in 1939, after the bombing of 1945, and today. The comparison between 1939 and 1945 is a sobering lesson in World War II history.
• Dome elevator: in about a minute the cabin travels 42 meters along the curved dome, tilting 17 degrees. A glass roof lets you watch the ride, and floor panels turn transparent at the push of a button.
• Viewing platform: panoramic views over the Maschsee, the old town and, on clear days, as far as the Harz mountains.

Opening hours and tickets

The building is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The dome ride runs seasonally, in 2026 daily from 10 a.m. with last admission at 5:30 p.m. until around October 31; it closes from mid-November to the end of February and during thunderstorms. Tickets cost €5 for adults and €4 reduced, with 20% off for HannoverCard holders (as of October 2026). Audio guides are available at the information desk. Note that the dome ride is not accessible: there are at least 50 steps, and strollers, wheelchairs and dogs are not allowed in the elevator.

Is it worth visiting?

Definitely. Allow about an hour for the hall, the models and the dome. Afterward, stroll around the Maschsee, visit the Lower Saxony State Museum or the Sprengel Museum next door, explore the old town around the Market Church, or head to the baroque Herrenhausen Gardens.