Kelbra is one of the oldest settlements in the Golden Aue. Together with its districts Sittendorf and Thürungen, the town lies directly on the northern slopes of the Kyffhäuser Mountains.
Numerous buildings and artefacts tell the story of the town’s long history. Worth seeing are the remains of the Cistercian monastery destroyed in 1525, the Storkau Manor from the 12th century, once a knight’s residence, and St George’s Church. It was rebuilt in 1607 as a former monastery church and features an altar painting by Ch. Richter.
Thanks to its location within the Kyffhäuser Nature Park, Kelbra is an ideal starting point for hikes and trips into the mountains and the Southern Harz. A promenade created in 1880 leads you directly out of the town towards the mountains.
In the Button Maker and Local Museum, you can discover the development of button making – from the mother-of-pearl shells imported from overseas to the machines built in Kelbra. Another destination is the Royal Palace of Tilleda on the Romanesque Route. It has been fully excavated and partly reconstructed, offering an insight into medieval life. At the Kelbra Reservoir you’ll find a 600-hectare body of water with a campsite and over ten hectares of beach. The lake offers many opportunities for water sports, and during the summer months, regular events take place there.
A well-known destination in the area is the Kyffhäuser Monument. It is considered the second largest monument in Germany and includes the ruins of the old imperial castle Kyffhausen and the Barbarossa Tower.
