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After the city was founded in 1204 by Duke Ludwig the Kelheimer, today's Hofgarten was used as a zoo (Hag) until the middle of the 18th century. After that, the area was converted into a cultural enterprise and a state fur school for the cultivation of fruit trees was founded and silkworm breeding began. After the royal university was relocated from Ingolstadt to Landshut in 1800, the courtyard garden became the property of the university on September 30, 1804. At that time it was designated as an economic garden and was used for agricultural and forestry experiments until 1826. In June 17, 1836 the city of Landshut was able to acquire the Hofgarten after many years of negotiations, and it was made accessible to the public in 1837.
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Skulpturenmuseum im Hofberg
Opened in 1998, the museum is located mostly underground within a hill, atop of which Trausnitz Castle is situated. It has on display works of sculptors, who lived or worked in the city. The museum is specialized in the works of Fritz Koenig, who is best known for his sculpture The Sphere, which was on display on World Trade Center Plaza in New York City from 1971 until the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Christkindlmarkt
The Christmas fair in Landshut next to the Grieserwiese is the city's main attraction during Advent. The big illuminated Christmas tree and a cup of hot Glühwein (spiced wine) or alternatively Punsch in your hands and Christmas music and scents in the air will get you in the Christmas spirit.
Jodokskirche
Jodokskirche is Landshut's second oldest church, after Martinskirche. It was built between 1389 and the end of the 16th century in Gothic style. It features a 77 m (250 ft) high bell tower.
Burg Trausnitz
The medieval castle is situated atop a hill overlooking the city of Landshut and amidst the former castle park. The oldest parts of the structure were built from 1204, and the castle was continuously expanded until the late 19th century, serving as the Wittelsbach ducal residence for Lower Bavaria, 1255-1503. Virtually unharmed by the turmoils of numerous wars, Trausnitz Castle is one of the best preserved and most complete examples of aristocratic medieval architecture. During the Landshut Wedding it serves as one of the venues for the re-enactment.
Martinskirche
The church's construction began in 1385 and it took over 110 years until it was completed, around 1500. With an interior height of 29 m (95 ft) and a bell tower that measures 130 m (430 ft), Martinkirche is not only the tallest church in Bavaria and the tallest brick building in the world, but also one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture in Germany and Landshut's number one landmark..
Mittelalterliche Altstadt
Landshut's historic city centre is mostly preserved in the state it was 500 years ago, and doesn't have to hide behind other shining examples like Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Today it is a pedestrian zone with a lot of shops, makeshift concerts on the streets during summer and a Christmas fair during Advent. It also serves as one of the stages for the quadrennial Landshut Wedding re-enactment.