The old episcopal city of Hildesheim lies in the northwestern Harz foreland, in the fertile valley of the Innerste. The churches built by Bishop Bernward (993-1022) and his successors made Hildesheim a treasure-house of Early Romanesque architecture, and the town's many half-timbered buildings contributed to its unique charm and interest. Then in March 1945, shortly before the end of the war in Europe, Hildesheim suffered heavy damage in an air attack which destroyed 70 per cent of the town's buildings. Accordingly, the town now has a predominantly modern aspect, with a few islands of tradition here and there in the form of rebuilt and restored historic buildings.
The Butchers' Guild-House (Knochenhauer Amtshaus) was completely rebuilt, true to it's original 16th C design, in the 1980s. It is the highlights of the Markt.
On the Lappenberg in Hildesheim, on the site of the Synagogue which was destroyed in 1938, can be seen a cube-shaped marble memorial with bronze reliefs depicting the history of the Jews. Near here is the Kehrwiederturm ("Return Again" Tower; 1465), the only surviving tower from the old fortifications.
To the west of the Cathedral in Hildesheim, in the square called Am Steine, can be found the Roemer-Pelizaeus Museum, with the most important Egyptological collection in Germany after the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, as well as outstanding collections of natural history and ethnography. The museum has periodic special exhibitions.
Address: Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum Hildesheim, Am Steine 1-2, D-31134 Hildesheim, Germany
Hours:
10am-6pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
On a terrace to the east of the Cathedral in Hildesheim stands the Heiligkreuzkirche (R.C.). Originally Romanesque, it was remodeled in Baroque style in the 18th C.
The Magdalenenkirche (13th C.; R.C.) in Hildesheim, to the west of the old town, contains the beautiful Elffen Altar (1520) and the silver reliquary of St Bernward (1751).
In the central area of Hildesheim, which is still surrounded by the old moat, is the Markt, completely restored to its original form from 1983 onwards.
Southwest of the Markt in Hildesheim, beyond the busy Hoher Weg (pedestrian zone), is Andreasplatz, with the Andreaskirche (Romanesque, with Gothic choir; restored). Nearby, at the corner of Hoher Weg and Schuhstrasse, can be seen a statue (1905) of the "Huckup", a legendary Hildesheim figure who is the incarnation of a bad conscience.
Address: St Andrew's Church, Andreasplatz 6, D-31134 Hildesheim, Germany
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 9am-6pm; Sun:11:30am-4pm; Sat:9am-4pm
On the south side of Hildesheim's old town is the Godehardikirche (1133-72), one of the best preserved Romanesque churches in Germany, with a beautiful interior (Late Gothic altar of St Benedict, 1518).
On the Moritzberg, to the west of Hildesheim, is St Maurice's Church (St Mauritius; 11th C.), with a well preserved cloister and the tomb of Bishop Hezilo (1054-79).
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Hildesheim
