The History of the Hardenbergsches Haus
It is the year 1747. George II, born in Herrenhausen, is King of England and Elector of Hanover, Johann Sebastian Bach composes the “Musical Offering” and Karl Friedrich von Hardenberg – court director of buildings and gardens – builds a house on the fringe of the Herrenhausen Gardens.
After his death in 1763, the house passes into the possession of the Crown and subsequently experiences an eventful destiny. In 1803 the French general Mortier sets up his quarters here when he occupies Hannover. 1804 sees him followed by Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, Napoleon’s marshal and later King of Sweden and Norway. Between 1866 and 1937 the building serves as the Guelph family’s museum.
1937 sees the City of Hannover purchase the house, together with the Herrenhausen Gardens, and fully renovate it in 1939 – before the start of the war which then largely undid those endeavours.
