Hildesheim: the thousand-year-old rose and crispy pumpernickel

Hildesheim is an incredibly beautiful town, situated in the foothills of the Harz. It is one of the oldest settlements present in Lower Saxony. The town’s fame is due to a large number of fascinating objects, in particular the half-timbered square. A large number of picturesque little streets spring from it. It is separated by mansions and churches.

A bit of history

The town was founded at the beginning of the IX century. At that time, it was the seat of the local bishopric. The rule of the clergy lasted until 1300. Independence came to the city in the 14th century. Hildesheim joined the Hanseatic League. This period marks the beginning of the town’s transformation into a full-fledged town.

As the twentieth century dawned, Hildesheim was in its infancy. It had its own original architecture in the medieval style. The city was then nicknamed the “northern Nuremberg”. It literally lured everyone with its amazing streets, magnificent houses and special atmosphere.

Hildesheim survived until 1945. During the war the village was subjected to severe air raids. The result was such devastation that little was left of the town. There were once about 1.5 half-timbered buildings. After the war, about 200 remained.

The following years the restoration works were carried out. A couple of dozen monuments were restored. By the end of the last century Hildesheim had a new Market Square. It is decorated with magnificent houses, which belonged to the merchant guilds, and medieval churches are also present.

Features of Hildesheim

Despite its tragic history, the city has something to surprise you today. Apart from the original architectural creations, there is the Römer and Pelizaeus Museum. The museum dates back to 1844. Within its walls is a huge collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Collections of Chinese porcelain are also on a grand scale.

Hildesheim is also famous throughout Europe for its cuisine. The Hildesheim pumpernickel is the pride of place. This dish originated in 1733 and is a sponge cake, topped with cinnamon and almonds. It is usually served at Christmas time. The speciality of the biscuits lies in their lightness and fragility, as well as in their incredible flavour.

The village is also noted for its many festivals. One of the biggest, by the way, is the M’era Luna Festival. It gathers more than 20 thousand spectators every year. There is also a festival of Baroque roses. The festival lasts only 2 days but is memorable for a lifetime.

Hildesheim has a special atmosphere on Christmas Eve. The main square is transformed by the many decorations and bright lights. There’s a lively market going on. The main square is transformed by the many decorations and bright lights.