Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Germany Hanover Marktkirche

Marktkirche

Striking occult iconography on a medieval German church.

Hanover, Germany

Added By
Melissa Marshall
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
A symbol of the epiphany that won’t make anyone uncomfortable   DerHexer/Wikimedia
A symbol of the epiphany that won’t make anyone uncomfortable   DerHexer/Wikimedia
Two stars, thousands of theories   Wikimedia
The interior of a classic German brick Gothic church   Rabanus Flavus/Wikimedia
Tower from three-quarter angle.   daviddickey / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Commonly known as Marktkirche, or the Church on the Market, this striking 14th century brick structure serves as the main Lutheran church in Hannover, and thanks to its large scale flourishes of ancient symbolism, the church provokes its share of comments and conspiracy theories. Most remarked upon is the giant pentagram displayed on the church's western tower, and if that weren't enough, a hexagram surrounds the tower's clock.

Of course, the truth is that both five-pointed and six-pointed stars have a long, fluid history in Germany, first used by Teutonic pagans and then adopted by Christians as their own symbol at the time the church was built. The pentagram, in particular, was often used as a symbol of the epiphany.

The church, with its grand organ, is an excellent example of Germany's brick gothic tradition.

 

Related Tags

Churches Occult Conspiracy Theories Medieval Sacred Spaces

Community Contributors

Added By

Melissa Marshall

Edited By

juanpalomera, daviddickey

  • juanpalomera
  • daviddickey

Published

October 29, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Marktkirche
2 Hanns-Lilje-Platz
Hanover, 30159
Germany
52.371712, 9.735259
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Aegidien Church War Memorial

Hanover, Germany

miles away

Kuppelaufzug

Hanover, Germany

miles away

The Musical Manhole Cover

Hanover, Germany

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hanover

Hanover

Germany

Places 9

Nearby Places

Aegidien Church War Memorial

Hanover, Germany

miles away

Kuppelaufzug

Hanover, Germany

miles away

The Musical Manhole Cover

Hanover, Germany

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hanover

Hanover

Germany

Places 9

Related Stories and Lists

Folk Magic: The Hex Signs of Pennsylvania

outsider art

By Melissa Marshall

Related Places

  • Church of the Good Shepherd

    Lullington, England

    Lullington Church of the Good Shepherd

    This tiny church is one of England's smallest.

  • St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Dunsfold

    Dunsfold, England

    St Mary's and All Saints Church & Holy Well

    An ancient yew tree and holy well nestle beside a remarkable 13th-century church.

  • Täby kyrka (Täby  Church)

    Täby Kyrkby, Sweden

    Täby kyrka (Täby Church)

    A medieval church that contains murals from famed artist Albertus Pictor.

  • The entrance and façade of the church

    Torri in Sabina, Italy

    Santa Maria della Lode in Vescovio

    This beautiful Romanesque church preserves stunning medieval frescoes and the excavations of a Roman market town.

  • The hermitage spans the narrow gorge of the Aterno river

    Raiano, Italy

    Eremo di San Venanzio (Hermitage of San Venanzio)

    This hermitage spanning an Italian river gorge draws pilgrims hoping to heal ailments like arthritis and migraines.

  • Lanleff, France

    Temple de Lanleff

    The precise origins of this pink sandstone temple are unknown.

  • Karja Church

    Linnaka, Estonia

    Karja Church

    Inside this medieval church resides a unique set of murals.

  • Edinburgh, Scotland

    Trinity Apse

    This 15th-century structure had a long, tortuous journey to its current location.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.