Alexisbad Railway Station, Harz

Light figures in the sign of the times

If you want to explore the architecture of East Germany's past, a variety of opportunities are awaiting you - also in Alexisbad in the Harz Mountains.

As a child, my sister and I spent almost all of our holidays with our grandparents in the Harz foothills and we often went on trips to the Harz mountains. The ride on the Narrow Gauge Railways (german: Harzer Schmalspurbahn), which passes through Alexisbad, was always a special experience.

Narrow Gauge Railways, Harz

Alexisbad always seemed to me like the end of the world - a narrow, elongated place hidden in the forest. The mountainous Harz rise up all around it. The great thing: tranquillity, wonderful hikes and unique opportunities for discovery.

A first glance at Alexisbad railway station reveals over 100 years of chequered history of the railway station for Harz travellers. Somewhat neglected, the station building nevertheless defies the ravages of time in a relaxed and resilient manner.

Alexisbad Railway Station

A second look is recommended to draw attention to the lamps on the tracks. They line up neatly like chain links and illuminate the station area.The remarkable thing about them, in my opinion, is their origin and their ability to survive. Seemingly unimpressed by remodelling, their ageing beauty today offers us a welcome journey back in time to the GDR past.

Railway station lanterns in Alexisbad

Selected places of interest:

• Hiking: Klippenweg, Selketalstieg, Luisentempel, Verlobungsurne, Köthener Hütte,

• Selkefall Mägdesprung

• Harzgerode

• Das Selketal mit Selkemühle, den 1. bis 4. Hammer und viel Natur (eines der Drehorte für Schneeweisschen und Rosenrot)

• The Selke valley with Selke mill, the 1st to 4th hammer and lots of nature (one of the filming locations for the german fairy tale "Snow White and Rose Red")

  
  

Website:

https://en.harzinfo.de/destinations/destinations-from-a-to-z/harzgerode