Head to one of Hannover’s most interesting neighborhoods to see a settlement of houses with “eco-roofs," visit a Jewish cemetery and walk through woodlands.
First of all, head to a quiet little corner of Bothfeld to discover the serene Bothfelder Grasdachsiedlung. Basically meaning “grass-roof settlement,” this little community of 69 houses was developed between 1983 and 1985. Back then, it was seen as a visionary eco-construction project that was ahead of its time. Walk among the brightly colored wooden houses and lush gardens which compliment the grass-covered roofs to create an urban oasis.
Step back farther into history with a visit to the cute Saint Nicolai Kirche (Saint Nicolai Church). Admire the different aspects of the exterior of Bothfeld’s oldest building. The oldest part is the tower, dating from the 14th century and built from a stone called turf iron. The tower rises to 115 feet (35 meters). The nave and main part of the church were rebuilt around 1911 and included a beautiful Art Nouveau-style interior.
Head to the Burgwedeler Straße and look for the Bothfeld Jewish Cemetery. Dating from 1924, its original funeral hall was destroyed during Pogrom Night in the late 1930s, but was replaced in 1960. Admire the tall, arch-shaped design of the funeral hall. Note how its shape is reflected in the archways leading into the cemetery.
Farther north on Burgwedeler Straße you will find the leafy, lakeside Stadtteilfriedhof Bothfeld (Bothfeld District Cemetery) were a young man named Benno Ohnesorg was buried in 1967 after having been shot by police during a student protest.
Opposite the cemetery you will find Grosse Heide, a large forest area ideal for a woodland walk. In summer you will enjoy the shade the trees provide, while in fall you can take delight in the riot of colorful leaves that cover the ground.
Bothfelder Anger, also known as the Bothfeld Common, is the suburb’s historical parkland area at the heart of the neighborhood.
As a quiet and unassuming suburb, Bothfeld manages to surprise all visitors with some fascinating hidden places, yet also shows a slice of everyday life in Hannover.
