Medieval Wonderland, Germany

Rating:

Category: General attractions
Region: Saxony-Anhalt
Location: Ilsenburg

THE HARZ MOUNTAINS A TRUE MEDIEVAL WONDERLAND.
Located in North Central Germany, this beautiful and almost forgotten forest and mountain region was hidden behind the Iron curtain until 1989. Sprinkled with small medieval Tudor style towns and villages most dating back over a thousand years, the region has changed little since William Wordsworth paid his visit over 200 years ago.
Indeed so little has changed that the ancient capital of the region “Quedlinburg” is now a Unesco World Heritage town with over 5,000 medieval houses. Wernigerode famous for its magnificent castle dating back to 984AD and perched above the town, also boasts houses dating back to 1240AD, and probably the most beautiful town hall in Germany dating from 1435AD, along with much of its original city wall. Whole town centres are Listed, so very little concrete has appeared to spoil the beautiful views. Castles litter the region, including the famous Stolberg castle in the town of the same name from whence the Dutch royal family traces its heritage. Indeed the Harz towns are pure medieval and make the much more famous Bavarian medieval town of Rothenburg-an-der-Tauber look like a modern concrete jungle!

Although German reunification has brought greatly improved infrastructure, and modern quality public transport at subsidised prices, the Mountain region still boasts it’s famous narrow gauge rail network of almost a 100 miles of route. Still operated primarily by steam trains, including the awe inspiring and spiralling line to the top of the famous Mount Brocken (1142m/3750ft). The view from the top on a clear day across the north European plain is stupendous, with the city of Magdeburg over 50 miles away clearly visible.

The Forest is now a National Park, blessed with a plethora of wildlife including the rare Lynx cat, Wild Boar, Deer and rare forest and mountain birds, and fauna. Over 1000 miles of public footpaths and cycle ways criss-cross the forest, and the well maintained twisty mountain roads are free of traffic making them a pleasure to drive, except maybe on “Walpurgis Nacht”. This being the day (April 30th) when every Harz town and village celebrates the “Night of the witches” made famous by Von Geothe’s classic “Faust”. Supposedly local girls take to their broomsticks and fly naked to the Brocken to consort with the devil. There is even a rock opera version enacted on the mountain top at midnight, with special night trains, serving Punch & Gluhwein to keep you warm. Not suitable for children as it would be XXX rated in Britain. (There is no public road to the mountain top).

Unlike the more famous Black Forest, the Harz is far less commercialised, and as a result prices are generally much lower. That’s not to say there is nothing to do, as walking, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, fishing, canoeing, lake cruises, winter skiing, museums, monasteries, limestone caves, camping, the ever present castles, even underground mining museums, and an American Wild West town provide a myriad attractions. Thale a pretty town nestling at the mouth of the dramatic 600ft deep Bode Gorge, offers both low cost fun parks for the younger children, and cable cars to the top of the gorge, at what is known as the “Hexentanzplatz” or Witches dance place. Here restaurants, a Forest zoo, open air amphitheatre and the exhilarating Harzbob (a type of rail guided bobsled) are to be found. Thale also has one of the best “Walpurgis Nacht” celebrations.

The area is generously provided with quality hotels at very competitive prices, and the motorway & rail networks put both Hannover & Leipzig airports within an hour. The area is also reachable from Calais (France) in around 8 hours, motorway the whole way. Forget the West – this is the best!!!!

A final footnote: If you like medieval houses, then you will be surprised to know that some of these stunning structures can be purchased from as little as £25,000. And a listed structure is also eligible in Saschen Anhalt for Grants up to 30% against the exterior cost of renovation!!!

Comments: