Palace Grounds

The past history of the palace grounds has started in the late 18th century; up to then the fortification remained unchanged.

Between 1784 and 1827 the fortification was demolished, starting with the western bastions. For the most part, the material was filled in the moat which was once very broad. The new grounds between palace and the moat reduced to an average breadth of 23 feet (circ. 6.7m) were planted with trees and used as promenade along a circular avenue of poplars. When in 1839 the resolution was passed to do up Celle's palace for the royal house of Hanover, the grounds on the other side of the palace moats were revoked from the leasing and bought respectively.Under the garden inspector SCHAUMBURG from Hanover there were taken measures to expand the grounds from 1847 until 1866. The area in front of the Superior Employment Appeal Tribunal - the actual Provincial High Court and Court of Appeal - was included in the grounds as well.

In the year 1868 the Royal Prussian Management of Court Gardens in Potsdam had taken on the administration of the palace grounds. Until today the grounds haven't been changed much. In 1899 plots of land of the western part were sold for building, in 1922 in front of the East side of the palace on the central lawn a memorial was put up to those killed in the World War One and in 1936 on occasion of the necessary widening of the "Mühlenstraße" a strip of the grounds got lost in the northern part.

Today the palace grounds are a very popular meeting point for Celle's citizens as well as for many tourists who are going to make a guided tour or just like to relax from their shopping spree.