The Welfenschloss is today the main building of the University of Hannover, surrounded by the Welfengarten, a green oasis mainly used by students and residents of the neighbouring Nordstadt district.In front of the Welfenschloss, you can find the landmark of Lower Saxony, the "Lower Saxony Steed" (Niedersachsenross), which was designed by Friedrich Wolf.

In 1717, "Schloss Monbrillant" was built as the residence of Earl Platen at the same place where the Welfenschloss ist located today. Schloss Monbrillant was pulled down in 1857 and the Welfenschloss was built. Before the construction of the Welfenschloss could be finished, Hannover was annexed by Prussia. The Welfenschloss was completed in 1866. Although the University had occupied the Welfenschloss since 1879, it was not until 1961 that the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Prince of Hanover sold the land to the City of Hannover.

The gardens of Schloss Monbrillant were a copy of Grosser Garten. At the beginning of the 19th century, Christian Schaumburg, the creator of the Georgengarten, redesigned the Welfengarten. The groups of trees, the ponds and the historic bridge by the builder Laves remind of the design of the 19th century.