The Caroline-Mathilde-year 2025

The shared history is like an invisible bond stretching from Celle to Denmark and describes a deep royal connection. Both royal houses look back on a past that caused a sensation throughout 18th century Europe. The Caroline Mathilde Year in Celle opens up a particular view of history, providing deep insights into the life of the then Danish queen and her involvement in the Struensee Affair.

Departure:
Many issues surrounding Caroline Mathilde and the Struensee affair signalled a new departure. She was the queen who rode in men’s trousers and thus turned the image of women and gender roles of the time completely on their head, and the revolutionary Struensee dealt with social issues and power relations.

Passion:
The story is also one of passion – the Danish queen was passionate about the garden, culture, riding in the manor estate – and one of passionate human encounters. The French Garden and the Celle Palace Theatre are still evocative of her today.

Cultural:
Everything that has been created over the course of time is reflected in culture. The anniversary year explores the intriguing question of how we can shape our culture and connect history with the present.

The Struensee affair and Caroline Mathilde:
Born in England in 1751, married in Denmark in 1766, banished to Celle in 1772 and died in the royal residence in 1775 – the Danish queen’s life was indeed short. Her marriage to Christian VII did not turn out as planned, resulting in the young woman and her husband’s personal physician, Johann Friedrich Struensee, becoming close.

When the affair came to light, Caroline Mathilde had to flee Denmark and went into exile in Celle. Separated from her two children, she died at the age of just 23. She was buried in the princely crypt of St Mary’s Church. A monument in the French Garden still commemorates this remarkable personality today.

The half-timbered town
Colourful facades, sloping gables, wooden beams, golden inscriptions, ornaments and carvings: see the charm and flair of the beautiful half-timbered town of Celle for yourself. Around 500 lavishly restored and listed half-timbered houses form one of the largest groups of half-timbered ensembles in Europe. Some of the half-timbered houses are true works of art, such as the Hoppener Haus dating back to 1532. Discover historic Celle on a sightseeing walk or a themed tour!

The royal residence
Every visitor should make a point of seeing the fairytale-like, imposing Guelph palace with its unique Renaissance palace chapel on the edge of Celle’s old town, the Residence Museum and the baroque palace theatre. Immerse yourself in the Danish Queen Caroline Mathilde’s tragic story and discover the connection to the English royal family in the palace’s history.

The Bauhaus city
Did you know that Celle is the birthplace of new construction? Only a few people know that, even though Celle is right up there with Weimar and Dessau when it comes to Bauhaus architecture. Celle offers a surprising number of places where culture lovers and enthusiasts can tread in the footsteps of the Bauhaus era: discover the important buildings of Otto Haesler. From the “Direktorenwohnhaus” school director’s villa to the Italian Garden estate and the Old Town School.

And Celle has so much more to offer: as well as the 700-year-old baroque town church of St. Mary’s, with its tower blower, and the imposing Old Town Hall, a masterpiece of the Weser Renaissance, Celle also has many green oases and oases of peace in the heart of the town. The palace park, the French Garden and the Bee Garden are right on the edge of the old town. Simply unwind in the greenery. Celle is the ideal starting point for all kinds of tours of discovery, for example along the Aller river and its neighbouring nature reserves – whether cycling or walking is your thing. The royal residence on the edge of the Lüneburger Heide heath has much to offer, and not just culturally. Enjoy browsing!