Quedlingburg: World Heritage & Jewel in the Harz Mountains
- en roUTE
- Nov 26, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 27, 2024
Welcome to a medieval doll's house
When you visit Quedlinburg, you are leafing through the history book of a town that is over 1000 years old with its centuries-old houses and churches. The Gothic town hall even dates back to the 13th century.
... one of my favourite cities. ...not only because I associate it with childhood memories and countless family visits, but also because it is one of the most important historical sites for Germany and Europe, combining history, culture and beauty. Quedlinburg was also a centre for seed and plant breeding in the GDR. It literally blossomed as a flower town.
A little exkursus:
My grandmother ran a retail store for electronics as part of the East German sales organisation in a small town 10km away. So she regularly travelled to Quedlinburg to order goods from that state organisation. Sometimes we accompanied her (my sister and I). As my grandad was a master electrician, my grandma knew exactly what to look out when placing orders. In one of the old houses at the market, a narrow wooden staircase led up to a room with dispatchers who took the orders. Sitting in front of them, we used to heard that goods were not available. However, my grandma was often successful with her resolute words "Guys, that must be possible!". We children were then overcome with a feeling of embarrassment. ...well, the nice thing was our rituals: strolling through Quedlinburg and enjoying half a grilled chicken ("broiler") in the broiler bar on the way to the bus (at the railway station).
The grey on grey and crumbling old buildings in the GDR have given way to colourful, renovated houses. The town has always captivated visitors with its unique charm and is the jewel of the Harz region.
As you wander through the alleyways with their cobblestones, venerable half-timbered houses and ornate doors, the sights and history take you on a fabulous journey back in time to the Middle Ages.
The castle and collegiate church, whose history goes back to the Ottonian imperial dynasty (Otto I) and bears witness to its great influence on European history, is majestically enthroned on the sandstone cliffs of the Schlossberg with its alleyways and little parlours.
The neighbouring Münzeberg, from where you have a wonderful view of the castle, also dates back to the settlement of a monastery. Its remains formed the foundation stone of the 16th century cottages. Everything is a little smaller up here.
There are countless things to discover. It's worth taking your time.
Places of interest:
Market square and town hall
Schneemelcherhouse from 1562, Marktstrasse 6
Mathildenbrunnen in Pölkenstrasse with a great antiquarian bookshop
St. Nikolai church with churchyard
"Zur Börse", corner Steinweg/Reichenstrasse
7-Houses-Café «Zum Roland», Breite Strasse 1 (behind the Market square)
Brewery Lüdde, Blasiistrasse (with owm beer «Pubarschknall»)
Church St. Blasii, Blasiistrasse (Beautiful wooden panelling)
Sternkiekerturm (tower) with panoramic view of Quedlinburg
Ständerbau (Half-timbered house lengthwise, not crosswise), Wordgasse
Klopstockhouse at the Schlossberg
Finkenherd, Lange Gasse
Alleys: Schuhhof, Hölle, Stieg (one of the narrowest alleys in the old town), Jüdengasse, along the Mühlgraben, Brandgasse towards the castle
Neo-Gothic railway station building from 1862 with Wilhelminian-style extension
Brühlpark (part of the project Garden dreams in Saxony-Anhalt)
Schafbrücke (bridge) from 1926 (part of a 74 km long trail "Selketalstieg")
Surrounding sights and nature experiences:
Gernrode with its Collegiate Church and Advent in Abbey courtyard
Roseburg near Ballenstedt
Selke Valley (Selketal) with Falkenstein Castle (filming location for "Snow White and Rose Red")
Thale
Wernigerode
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