Ilten and surroundings

About Ilten

The North German village Ilten and its approximately 4.900 inhabitants are part of the community of Sehnde Town, located in the south-east of Hannover alongside the interstate road B 65.

The earliest mentioning of Ilten goes back until the year 1240.

In the High Middle Ages Ilten became the center of “Das Große Freie”, a border area between the region Hochstift of Hildesheim and the sphere of influence of the Welfes, after having been priviledged ever since its first colonisation.

The impressive church and the official buildings of the village still bear witness of the Baroque era.

In 1897-1960 a tramway connected Ilten with Hannover.

Until 1927 potash mining was the main industry in Ilten for decades.

Today the village is characterized by a huge psychiatriac hospital komplex, the Wahrendorffschen Kliniken and their many houses and recreational parks.

The rural character of the place and its closeness to the Mittelland Canal offer numerous opportunities for walks through nature, bike rides, excursions and recreation.

Renowned Ilteners

Ursula von der Leyen (*1958), Politican (CDU), 2005-13 Minister of Family, Seniors, Women and Youth. Since 2013 Minister of Defence.

Jörg Kretzschmar (*1964), former professional footballer at Borussia Mönchengladbach, SV Meppen and DFB-Cup Winner with Hannover 96 in 1992, later coach of the MTV Ilten leading men’s soccer team.

Sources:

Infos and text: Wikipedia
* © Iltener Wappen/Emblem of Ilten Von Carl Wenzel – Wappenbuch des Landkreises Hannover 1985 im Selbstverlag Seite 402 ff., Gemeinfrei