Founded in around 1100, the city of Hanover prospered through its membership of the Hanseatic Trading league, and by the 16th century it was a powerful, independent kingdom. In 1714, the kings of Hanover also became the kings of Britain, largely thanks to the latter's determination not to crown the Catholic Prince Charles. The two countries shared monarchs until 1837, when William IV died, leaving Princess Victoria as his heir. Hanoverian law forbade women monarchs, so Victoria's uncle then ruled Hanover while Victoria took charge of Britain and its empire.
In recent times Hanover has become largely known as the host of two massive trade fairs, Cebit and Hanover Messe, but it also has good shopping opportunities, impressive Hanseatic red-brick churches, atmospheric beer halls and well-maintained parks. You can find your way around most of the city's tourist spots by following the Red Thread, a three-mile line that runs from one attraction to another. A good starting point is the Neues Rathaus which has a curving elevator that carries you 98 metres up into the green dome of the building.
Sporting pedigree
Hanover is home to Hanover 96, so-called because it dates back to 1896. One of its biggest successes was the German Cup in 1992, which Hanover won as a 2 Bundesliga team. This was the first time a lower league team had won the cup.
1966 and all that ...
Hanover hosted Expo 2000 and the exhibition site still has many original exhibits. They include a Bhutanese temple and the world's biggest post-box, which stands 46.5 metres tall.
Where to stay
· Search for hotels in Hanover at bookings.de.
· Rooms at more than 550 German hotels can be booked during the World Cup through Fifaworldcup.com. The hotels will be rated from two to five stars and all will be located close to match venues. Simply specify which team you want to follow and the period when you'd like to be in Germany.
· Soccerphile in partnership with tour company VIP Hanse Touring is offering World Cup tour packages including hospitality, hotel bookings, venue and match day transfers and city tours.
· Hotel.de offers a selection of hotels available in the 12 participating World Cup cities along with information on draw dates and venues.
· World Cup Trips organises accommodation and tours incorporating transport to and from matches.
· Find accommodation in each of the World Cup host cities at Walking-in-Germany.co.uk.
· Find people with rooms to rent in the host cities at ImmobilienScout24.
· Fanproject 2006 is offering accommodation at giant campsites around Germany during the World Cup.
Getting there
By air: The flight from London to Hanover is 1 hour 20 minutes and Hanover Airport (HAJ) is 7 miles north of the city. S-Bahn S5 runs between the airport and the main railway station every 30 minutes and takes 12 minutes. A 24-hour taxi service runs to Hanover.
By rail: The Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), the most modern in Germany, adjoins the city's bus station. Hanover has direct rail connections to Hamburg (75 minutes), Berlin (90 minutes), Frankfurt (2 hours 15 minutes) and Munich (4 hours 30 minutes). European Rail offers transport to all the World Cup destinations. Also, check out special offers from Deutsch Bahn for World Cup travel.
By road: Hanover connects by autobahn with Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich and on to Amsterdam and Brussels. Eurolines, the overseas wing of National Express, offer return fares from the UK to all major German cities. Within Germany, Eurolines is represented by Deutsche Touring or tickets are available from Deutsche Bahn ticket agents in major railway stations.
The stadium
The Niedersachsen Stadium (newly renamed the AWD Stadium) was completed in 1954 and has been home to 1 Bundesliga club Hanover 96 since 1959. Both Brazil and Holland played matches here during the 1974 World Cup. · Where is it? The stadium is an easy walk from the Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) via Bahnhofstrasse, Kr?pcke, Karmarschstrasse and Culemannstrasse. Alternatively, take the subway, lines 3 and 7. Get off at Waterloo and follow the signs to the FIFA WM-Stadion Hanover.
Or watch it in a bar
Head for Coopers American Diner and Sportsbar on Raschplatz 6, 30161 Hanover. Munch on burgers, ribs and hotdogs or "curry-wurst" while settling down before one of this large pub's big screens or video cube. Coopers.de is its German-language website.
