The Marienkirche (Church of St Mary) dominates the old town with its distinctive tower visible from across the half-timbered rooftops. The church dates from the sixteenth century and was built in the local Renaissance style. Its interior is relatively plain — typical of Lutheran churches in northern Germany — but the scale and the quality of its stonework make it one of the better-preserved historic churches in Lower Saxony.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was buried here in 1781 after spending the final decade of his life as the librarian of the Herzog August Bibliothek. The church is usually open during the day and entry is free.