First things first. As I mentioned earlier, there are lots of lovely parks here — and guess what? They’re full of rabbits! Cuteness overload. 😍

Today we went on a power walk with dad and passed through some really charming streets in Nordstadt, one of the few areas where many original buildings actually survived the war. Nordstadt literally means “North City,” but it used to be outside the old city walls. It gradually became part of Hannover as the city expanded during the 19th century. Because it’s right next to Leibniz University, Nordstadt has long been home to students, artists, and intellectuals.

The red-brick houses with ornate façades and stepped gables are great examples of Gründerzeit architecture, a style that flourished in Germany during the late 19th-century industrial boom. This kind of decorative brickwork is typical for northern Germany, where red brick was both practical and prestigious.

We also came across some beautiful townhouses with Jugendstil influences, which are more my style — elegant and full of personality. And just as we were wrapping up the walk, we stumbled upon a full-on neo-Gothic castle. It’s called Welfenschloss, and today it’s part of the university campus.

Technically, you can walk under Nordstadt as well. The area is crisscrossed with old WWII air raid tunnels and bunkers, many of which still exist beneath the streets. Most are closed to the public, but a few occasionally open for guided tours. Personally, I’m more fascinated by the rabbits’ tunnels in the parks. 😉