Beginenturm

Beginenturm stands on Leibnizufer in Hanover, where medieval fortifications meet the Historical Museum and views across the Leine. Its three limestone storeys rise about twenty-three metres above a foundation deeper than four metres. Walls reaching three metres thick contain stones of varying sizes, including material from the Romanesque predecessor of the Market Church. Small openings and a narrow stone staircase lead towards upper levels and the city beyond.

First mentioned in 1357 as “De nye Torn”, the tower formed the last and strongest section of Hanover’s city wall. Its original position near Lauenrode Castle expressed the city’s confidence towards the ruling lords across the river. In the early sixteenth century, the structure served as a prison, then gained an armory between 1642 and 1649. Eighteenth-century use brought peat storage, while the twentieth century saw an artist’s studio from 1948 and a pub until 2007.

Renovation between 2011 and 2014 made the tower publicly accessible as part of the Historical Museum. A semi-open platform about fifteen metres high looks north over the museum towards the Market Church tower. From the smaller openings, Hanover appears in fragments, including the Market Church and Linden power plant.