The over 1000-year-old town of Quedlinburg, located on the north-eastern edge of the Harz mountains, is a vibrant place where past and future meet. Its Romanesque buildings, 2069 half-timbered houses, and villas from the Gründerzeit and Art Nouveau periods tell stories of history and culture from past eras. In contrast, a young art scene, drawn by the fascination of its unique atmosphere, adds a modern touch.
The Schlossberg ensemble on the Romanesque Road, with the Renaissance Castle, the Collegiate Church of St. Servatius and its famous cathedral treasure, the thousand-year-old Wiperti Church and the remains of the Marien Monastery, as well as the historic old town with its 2069 half-timbered houses from eight centuries, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994 due to their outstanding significance. With a built-up area of just under 90 hectares, Quedlinburg, with its buildings from all stylistic and historical periods, is one of the largest contiguous monuments in Germany.
The Abbey Garden at the foot of the castle hill and the adjacent Brühl Park are part of the state project “Garden Dreams”.
The Lyonel Feininger Museum, which houses the most extensive closed collection of prints by the famous German-American painter and graphic artist, and the Klopstock House, birthplace of the poet Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock, which as a museum provides insight into the life and work of the poet, document the traces these well-known personalities left in Quedlinburg.
For those interested in art, culture, and music, Quedlinburg offers a wide range of opportunities, including numerous galleries and exhibitions, the Nordharz Cities' Theatre, the Quedlinburg Music Summer, and various other music events.
Nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts are also drawn to Quedlinburg, as this is where the 75 km long Selketal Trail begins or ends, leading through the diverse and history-rich landscapes of the Lower Harz region.
In December, Quedlinburg transforms into a festive Christmas town, with its Christmas market set against a stunning half-timbered backdrop and music filling the town hall, theatre, churches, and public squares. During “Advent in the Courtyards”, on the second and third weekends of Advent, more than twenty of Quedlinburg’s most beautiful courtyards open their usually closed gates to present visitors with rare and unique treasures in a charming Christmas atmosphere.
Gernrode
The officially recognised resort town of Gernrode lies on the northern edge of the eastern Harz, in a scenic hillside location at the foot of the Stubenberg, and is particularly well known for its prominent, over 1000-year-old Collegiate Church of St. Cyriakus.
Located on the Romanesque Road, the St. Cyriakus Church impresses as one of the oldest churches in northern Europe, with a structure that has remained largely unchanged since the Ottonian period.
Also highly recommended—and easily combined with a stroll through the pretty old-town alleys—is a visit to the historic town hall and the Old Elementary School. As one of Germany’s oldest Reformation-era schools, the heritage-listed Old Elementary School now houses a school and town museum with a historic classroom and a large mineral collection.
A special highlight awaits visitors with the Selketal Railway, one of the oldest narrow-gauge railways in the Harz and a traditional part of the Harz narrow-gauge network. Mostly operated by steam locomotives, the trains have always been a major attraction for young and old alike.
The Bormann Woodcarving Workshop presents, as a demonstration studio with a small wood museum, tools and techniques from the past 100 years. And at the Harz Liqueur Factory, visitors can enjoy a guided tour followed by a tasting session. In addition, from May to October, guided tours through the historic old town are offered every Saturday, starting at the town hall.
Thanks to its location directly on the Selketal Trail, Gernrode is a well-known destination for hiking enthusiasts. The forest pool Osterteich and the crystal-clear natural lake Bremer Teich, surrounded by beautiful deciduous and coniferous forests, are also popular stops along walking routes.
