Braunschweig experienced early prosperity as the seat of Henry the Lion during the 12th century. As the Duke of Bavaria and Saxony, Henry built the Danwarderode Castle and established the Braunschweig Cathedral. Today, both medieval structures are Braunschweig landmarks.
Wolfenbüttel is another town with a rich history. The Herzog August Bibliothek is a library that is world-famous for its medieval collection - including the Gospels of Henry the Lion. The dramatist Gotthold Ephraim Lessing also wrote his famous work "Nathan the Wise" here. The city of Wolfsburg offers travelers a change of pace - and era. The city was founded in 1938 as a home for workers in the automobile industry. Meanwhile, cars are still the main attraction here. Since opening in 2000, the "Autostadt" pavilion has attracted more than 20 million visitors.