Jagdschloss Springe
Neoclassical hunting lodge of the Welf dynasty at the Saupark Springe with a natural history and hunting museum and historic ballrooms.
About the museum
The hunting lodge was built between 1836 and 1842 together with the roughly 1,600-hectare Saupark in the Kleiner Deister, which is enclosed by a wall more than 16 kilometers long. The park was initially the royal hunting ground of the Hanoverian kings, and after 1866 of the Prussian rulers; Kaiser Wilhelm II regularly held large drive hunts here. In Prussian times the lodge was extended with a Kavalierhaus (cavalier house), the Kaisersaal (Emperor's Hall), and a main building with an added story.
In the 20th century its use changed several times: between the wars the lodge served as a children's home, during the Nazi era the Kavalierhaus housed hunting guests of Hermann Göring, and after 1945 it housed the district hospital until 1961. With the support of the banker Wilhelm Pleister, the building was renovated from 1965; in 1967 the "Museum für Natur – Jagd – Kultur" moved into the first floor.
From 1988 to 1993 the neoclassical rooms of the lower level with their wall and ceiling paintings were restored, and later the Kaisersaal as well. Today the Lower Saxony State Forests (Forstamt Saupark) operate the lodge as a museum and event venue. The exhibition shows native wildlife in recreated habitats, complemented by large-format murals by the animal painter Fritz Laube.
Highlights
- Permanent natural history and hunting exhibition with habitat display cases
- Murals by the animal painter Fritz Laube
- Neoclassical Laves-Saal and Kaisersaal
- Located at the walled Saupark near the Wisentgehege (bison enclosure)
Permanent exhibitions
- Museum für Natur – Jagd – Kultur – The exhibition on the first floor presents native wildlife and their habitats from rock faces to hollow tree trunks, with mounted specimens, habitat display cases, and murals by Fritz Laube.
- Founded
- 1967
- Operated by
- Niedersächsische Landesforsten (Forstamt Saupark)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2People with severe disabilities, students, and trainees (with ID) |
| Children & teens | €1.50free up to age 2 · Children from 3 years and school students €1.50. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2 |
| Students & apprentices | €2 |
| Groups (20+ people) | €2.50 per personAdult groups of 20 or more people. |
| HannoverCard or Ehrenamtskarte (holder and one companion, each) | €1.50 |
| Annual pass, adults | €20 |
| Guided tour (up to about 25 people, flat rate) | €30Plus admission; tours for schools and kindergartens are free of charge. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Jagdschloss
S-Bahn S5 to Springe or Völksen, then by bus 382 (from Völksen or Springe) or bus 385 (from Springe) to the stop Jagdschloss.
By car
Parking available
Illuminated parking for about 150 vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the castle.
By car via the B 217 to Springe, then follow the signs "Saupark" or "Wisentgehege" for about 2 km.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 120 guests.
Kaisersaal (105 m², up to 80 guests) and Lavessaal (50 m²) with media technology, Marstall (195 m², up to 120 guests), and a 10,000 m² castle garden. Civil wedding ceremonies in the Kaisersaal (also in the garden in good weather) and non-denominational ceremonies are possible.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours by timely registration by phone (05041 9468-24); free of charge for schools, kindergartens, and similar institutions, admission is charged. The exhibition is geared toward school classes as an out-of-school place of learning. |
