Hanseatic city of Braunschweig

Braunschweig

Since its foundation by Henry the Lion, Braunschweig has been characterised through the centuries by the Guelphs and the Hanseatic League. Today, with around 250,000 inhabitants, Braunschweig is the largest city between Hanover and Berlin: It appeals - not only as an attractive shopping destination and lively cultural city, but also as the centre of the most research-intensive region in Europe. Due to its favourable location at the intersection of important long-distance trade routes, the Lion City was an important trading and commercial centre in the Middle Ages and early modern times. As early as the 13^th century, it was trading intensively with other Hanseatic cities and later became a suburb of the Saxon quarter. Even today, buildings such as the Altstadtrathaus (Old Town Hall), the Gewandhaus (Cloth Hall) or the reconstructed Alte Waage (Old Weighing House) bear witness to this epoch in the history of the city.

Facts & Figures

Founded

Year 1031

Location

52.27165 latitude and 10.52031 longitude

Population

250500

What is the city known for?

Well-known attraction: Burgplatz square with the famous symbol of Braunschweig, the bronze castle lion.
Typical product: Braunschweiger Mumme, a viscous malt extract which, in its original form as victuals for ships, was a Braunschweig export hit during the Hanseatic period.