Nordhausen looks back on over 1,100 years of history and is regarded as the economic and cultural centre of northern Thuringia. The town’s character is shaped by a wide range of leisure, arts and cultural activities. The Harz Mountains to the north-west and the Kyffhäuser Mountains to the south-east offer unique natural treasures with their varied landscapes.
As you walk through Nordhausen, you’ll find traces of the town’s history in many places. Numerous museums showcase archaeological finds and tell the story of the town’s history, as well as its craft and industrial heritage. Tobacco processing and grain distilling once made Nordhausen famous. At the Original Nordhäuser Traditional Distillery, you can learn more about the history and techniques of grain distilling – and sample the results too.
As the largest folk festival, the Rolandsfest attracts thousands of visitors every June. Cabaret events, the jazz festival and the Theatre Nordhausen invite you to enjoy dancing, music and performances of all kinds. The Harz narrow-gauge railways offer a special experience. Their steam-powered locomotives set off from here on a winding journey through the Harz Mountains to the legendary Brocken.
Whether high up or deep down, there’s no shortage of activity and adventure in and around Nordhausen. Numerous walking and cycling tours take you from here through the karst landscape of the southern Harz. In the ‘Nordhusia’ diving area of the gravel lakes, there’s a unique underwater world to explore.
For your visit on site or for inspiration beforehand, we recommend having a look at the free digital city tour, including an introduction to the Nordhausen stair beetles, which make a city stroll especially colourful for families.
