The Neues Rathaus,  designed by architect Hermann Eggert, was built between 1901 and 1913, in the style of a Baroque Palace with a Neo-Gothic dome. The interior decorations were predominantly designed by Gustav Halmhuber, who brought in Secessionist detailing, a popular style in that era. The Hodlersaal, or Debating Hall of the Rathaus contains a huge painting by the Swiss artist, Ferdinand Hodler, entitled Einigkeit or Unity, depicting the arrival of Prostestantism in Hanover. The foundations of the building are supported by 6,026 beech pillars. The Rathaus stands on Maschpark, a park of 10 hectares in the inner city of Hannover. It is an impressive building with a large dome that stands almost 100 meters high at 97.73 meters/319 feet, and a width of 130 meters/426 feet. The gigantic building symbolizes the lofty ambitions of the wealthier citizens of Hanover and was dedicated in 1913 by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1913. It reflects the history of the 20th century as The Neues Rathaus was the seat of the republican citizens’ representative council from 1918, taken over by the Nazis in 1933. The proclamation of Lower Saxony from this edifice in 1946 signaled Germany’s democratic rebirth.

PHOTOS: Top Two: 1. View of the Neues Rathaus as seen from the bridge across the Maschteich, an artificial lake. 2. View of the interior arch at the top of the central stairway. A hazy view of the dome is visible through the glass windows.  Middle Three: 1. Detail: the left side of the carved and polished stone banister of the grand staircase. 2. The grand staircase in the main hall of the Neues Rathaus. 3. Detail: the right side of the carved and polished stone banister of the grand staircase Bottom Two: 1. View of the Debating Room in the Neues Rathaus, showing the large painting entitled Einmütigkeit or “Unanimity”  by Ferdinand Hodler c. 1913.  2. Painting by Emil Orlik, a good friend of Ferdinand Hodler. The painting is entitled: Ferdinand Hodler beim Entwurf der Wandbilder für das Rathaus in Hannover which means “Hodler working on his sketch of the mural for the city hall of Hanover. Dated 1911, it depicts Ferninand Hodler in his studio, working on the composition of his large-scaled painting as a commission for the Debating Hall of the Neues Rathaus.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE