The Harz, mines, historic towns and magnificent forests
An expanse of low mountains stretching for 90 km in length and 30 km wide, the Harz is easy to travel to and part of Niedersachsen, Sachsen- Anhalt and Thüringen.
Reunification brought a travel boom to the area, which is now very popular with holidaymakers going for a break or to immerse themselves in the history. Many also go for a “Wellness” holiday at a spa.
Right in the middle the “Brocken” is 1150 m high, this is where the witches congregate every 1st May! The narrow gauge railway from Wernigerode is full of witches then, otherwise normal tourists come to see the view, many on bikes or long rambles.
There is suitable accommodation for all tastes. The hotels and restaurants often have special offers, especially for families wanting a short stay. In the winter skiers and snowboarders can find all the heart desires, especially in St. Andreasberg and Braunlage.
Goslar, a medieval town with the mine at Rammelsberg., is worth seeing the whole year round. The town itself is over 1000 years old and designated by Unesco as part of the World Cultural Heritage. In the Middles Ages silver and iron from the mines made the town a wealthy place. A visit down a mine is a must for visitors and the Rammelsberg organises special adventure tours for children and trips on the railroad through the mine. Goslar is a central point for trips to other parts of the Harz and is full of hotels and guest houses.
Another interesting town is Quedlinburg with its various styles of architecture, Art Deco and Renaissance, gothic and Romanesque. In the winding cobbled streets are 1200 half-timbered buildings from 6 different centuries! A reason for Quedlinbrug to be part of Unesco WCH too.
Wenigerode is a cosy little town mainly known for the railway leading up the “Brocken”. From the peak hiking trails lead in all directions, past mountain lakes, streams and through attractive valleys. Under the DDR partly closed now the whole Harz is accessible. Around Clausthal-Zellerfeld there are over 70 ponds of different sizes, laid out between the 16th and 18th centuries for the mines, now part of nature. Clausthal-Zellerfeld wass important as an industrial town and the Mining Museum and Geological Museum are popular with lovers of minerals. The same can be said for the petrified waterfall in the stalactite caves near Iberg, where one can see a 380 million year old coral reef!! And a medieval iron mine. If you want an extensive tour through the Harz follow the “Strasse der Romantik” and see history and the landscape.
There is so much accommodation that no-one will have a problem to find something suitable, holiday homes near a lake, a flat in a historic half-timbered house, hotels of all different standards, and reasonably-priced bed and breakfast or private rooms..it´s all waiting in the Harz for tourists all year round!!
