“The Herrenhausen Gardens (German: Herrenhäuser Gärten) of Herrenhausen Palace are located in Herrenhausen, an urban district of Hanover, the capital of Lower Saxony, Germany. Dating to the era of the Kings of Hanover, they comprise Great Garden (Großer Garten), Hill Garden (Berggarten), Georgen Garden (Georgengarten) and Guelf Garden (Welfengarten). The Great Garden owes much of its aesthetics to Sophia of Hanover, consort of the Elector of Hanover and herself heiress to the British throne, who commissioned the French gardener Martin Charbonnier in 1683 to enlarge an existing garden. It served as a summer retreat, located only a few kilometres outside the city, while the Leine Palace was the main residence in the city. As its name implies, it indeed became a large garden, comprising 50 hectares (120 acres) of lawns, hedges, walkways and statues arranged in strict geometrical patterns.”