Celle Old Town & Castle
Celler Altstadt und Schloss
A fairytale town with nearly 500 well-preserved half-timbered houses, and a white Renaissance castle containing one of Europe's oldest Baroque theatres.
Celle lies about 40 km northeast of Hanover. It was undamaged in WWII, and its old town preserves about 480 half-timbered houses from the 16th to 18th centuries, with colourful inscriptions and patterns carved into the beams. The highlights are around Zöllnerstraße, Schuhstraße and Stechbahn, and the Hoppener House from 1532. To the west of the town, Celle Castle is a white Renaissance palace of the Welf family. Inside is the 1674 Baroque theatre, which still stages performances today, and the court chapel. Castle admission is about €8, and it is closed on Mondays. Take a regional train or S-Bahn from Hanover, which takes about 20–40 minutes, then walk 15 minutes to the old town.
Opening hours
Old town open all day; castle Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Eilenriede
- Hanover Adventure Zoo
- Red Thread
- Aegidienkirche Ruin
- Old Town: Marktkirche & Old Town Hall
- Lower Saxony State Museum
- New Town Hall
- Museum August Kestner