Clausthal-Zellerfeld is the only university town in the Harz region and forms part of the Upper Harz. It lies on a plateau between Goslar and Altenau at an altitude of between 535 and 600 metres. The town combines the traditions of a mining town with the amenities of a university town, thus bridging the gap between history and the present day.
The low-mountain landscape, with its mountain meadows, forests and clear waters, characterises the area. More than 60 ponds, ditches and watercourses forming part of the Upper Harz Water Management System – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – make Clausthal-Zellerfeld a popular destination for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. A well-signposted network of hiking trails, access to the mountain bike network of the Volksbank Arena Harz, Nordic walking routes, and opportunities for fishing and swimming offer both exercise and relaxation. The archery course provides a fun way to practise your aim.
In the historic centre stand St Salvatoris Church and the spacious market square. Old town houses and miners’ cottages lining tree-lined streets serve as a reminder of the mining town’s significance. The Upper Harz Mining Museum, the Kaiser Wilhelm II Shaft, the facilities of the Ottiliae Shaft with its surface haulage railway, and the geological collection at Clausthal University of Technology provide insights into the history of mining in the Harz. Other attractions include the ‘Alte Münze’ arts and crafts centre in the former mint and the Market Church of the Holy Spirit – one of the largest wooden churches in the world.
