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DispatchFactbookGeography

by The Kingdom of Hanover of Hermes Express 123. . 12 reads.

The Hanoverian Citadel | Royal Residence

The Hanoverian Citadel
Die Hannoversche Zitadelle



The Citadel in 2020


Type

Two bailey wards with quadrilateral keep

Owner

The Royal House of Hanover

Operator

Royal Household

Open to the Public

Limited Access

History

In use

13th Century - Present

Materials used

Various materials, primarily limestone and clay.

Events

Roman invasion of Germania
Napoleonic Wars
Second World War

Office of Historical Management and Preservation


Official Name

The Hanoverian Citadel

Designated

23 June, 1901

Reference Number

10003442

Part of

Royal Estate of The Hanoverian Citadel


A map plan of the Castle:
1: Main Gatehouse
2: Secondary Gatehouse/George’s Gate
3: The Quadrangle
4: Queen Anne’s Garden
5: Main Entrance
6: Royal Apartments
7: Armory
8: Museum
9: Lesser Hall
10: Great Hall
11: The Great Library
12: Chapel of St Boniface
13: Royal Nursery
14: Room of the Painted Table
15: Victoria Tower (Not shown in map)
16: The Lesser Library
17: Passageway
18: Royal Stables

The Hanoverian Citadel (German: Die Hannoversche Zitadelle) is a royal residence on the outskirts of the capital city of Hanover.

The Citadels’ foundations were built in the early 880s, by the Germanic Chauci tribe. The early Castle was made of wood and stones, built to defend the local area from the Romans. The castle was eventually destroyed by the Romans, and left in ruins. In the mid 1600’s the then Elector of Hanover John Frederick I, rebuilt the castle.

In the early 1700’s the then King, George I expanded the castle, adding a chapel and stables. He also ordered the widening of the hill and expansion of its mottes.

During the Napoleonic Wars, French soldiers attempted to occupy the castle, subsequently causing the Bloody Fields Offensive, or the Battle of the Red Grass Fields. It was defended from the French with minor damages, with the French retreating from overwhelming Hanoverian forces. Later on, the Battle of the Red Grass Fields was declared as a Memorial Day, known as the Trooping of the Red Grass Lines. In place of the battle, the fields around The Citadel became known as the Red Grass Fields for it was said that the grass turned red with French blood.

The Citadel had survived time and multiple wars with just minor scratches or dislodged gates. It was later on converted into a proper home for King Ernest Augustus II's wife and their children.

In the Second World War, the Castle was a bombing target for the Germans, suffering serious damage. At the end of the war, many German POWs charged with war crimes and other offenses were hung at the Castle.

During the Cold War, King Ernest Augustus III made it his residence as well as his office, in fear of soviet spies lurking within the walls of the other palaces, hunting manors, and castles. In the end, however, the King was proven wrong when a footman, working for the KGB, was caught placing bugs inside His Majesty’s own apartments.

In recent years, the castle has mostly been left as a tourist attraction. With the recent ascension of King George VII, this has changed, as he has relocated to the Castle. Now using it as his primary residence and office, he enjoys the peace and quiet it affords while also being within quick travel distance of the city of Hanover.

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