More than 1,500 half-timbered houses are preserved together in Goslar’s historic Old Town, which covers around one square kilometre. St. Annenhaus on Glockengießerstraße is the oldest half-timbered house in the Old Town to have survived fully intact, dating back to 1488. Goslar’s history is therefore evident both across an entire town centre and in individual buildings.
Half-Timbered Houses, the Imperial Palace and the City’s History
At the foot of the Rammelsberg, Goslar’s Imperial Palace has stood for almost 1,000 years. It was once the seat of kings and emperors. Public tours of the Great Hall are available, along with special, themed and school-group tours. Tour formats may change, so check the current offerings before your trip.
The Goslar Museum presents the lives and work of the people of Goslar over more than ten centuries and traces the city’s development over time. The Zwinger offers a different perspective on historical themes: its exhibition on the late Middle Ages includes armour, siege equipment and weapons from the Peasants’ War of 1525 and the Thirty Years’ War. It also features objects related to medieval criminal justice.
More traces of the past can be found in Mechtshausen. The Wilhelm Busch House is the former vicarage where Wilhelm Busch lived in his final years. He died there in 1908 and was buried in the local cemetery. In Liebenburg, two structures remain from the former castle: the Hausmann Tower, a watch and gun tower, and a flanking tower.
Discover Mining History in Different Places
The former Rammelsberg ore mine is a visitor mine where you can explore different aspects of mining tradition. A museum adjoining the visitor mine documents its history. Visiting the mine and learning about its history in the museum thus offer two distinct ways to explore the subject.
Clausthal-Zellerfeld also offers insights into mining history: the Upper Harz Mining Museum combines important exhibits with original mining facilities that visitors can explore and experience for themselves. The 3.4-kilometre World Heritage Discovery Trail, “In Search of Traces in the Great Clausthal,” also runs near Clausthal-Zellerfeld. The circular route leads from the Rosenhöfer Radstuben to the Ottiliae Shaft, the oldest iron winding shaft. Check the latest trail and access information before setting out.
At the Samson Mine in Sankt Andreasberg, visitors can see the world’s last surviving original Fahrkunst, a system used to transport miners up and down mine shafts. Access arrangements may change, so check before your trip. The mine, museum, historic facilities and circular trail each offer a different focus: some highlight technical artefacts and mining traditions, while others showcase them in an exhibition or invite visitors to explore historic facilities.
Hiking Trails, Views and Seasonal Activities
Bad Harzburg borders directly on the Harz National Park. From there, themed hiking trails lead past lynx and wildcat enclosures, among other places, and by the Radau Waterfall, before continuing to the Brocken. The Harz Tree Top Walk has offered an accessible experience above the Kaltes Tal since 2015. It is more than 1,000 metres long and up to 26 metres high, offering insights into nature and geology. Since 2020, the Harz Tree Top Cableway has added to the range of activities: secured in a harness attached to a tubular system, you glide downhill from Burgberg to the far end of the tree top walk, covering more than 1,000 metres at 12 to 15 kilometres per hour and passing through old oak and beech trees.
Braunlage has numerous hiking trails and mountain biking routes. In winter, there are various ski slopes, an ice rink and a toboggan run; Wurmberg is also home to several ski jumps. Seasonal operations and opening conditions may vary, so check them before your visit. If you’re looking for viewpoints, Harly Tower on the Harly ridge is a popular hiking destination offering panoramic views. From Vienenburg Castle Tower, the panorama stretches across the Harz foothills; the tower is considered a landmark of Vienenburg.
The area also offers opportunities to relax by the water: the grounds around Vienenburg Lake provide space for relaxation. In Langelsheim, the Innerste Dam in the district of Goslar serves residents and tourists as a local recreation area. Together, these two places offer another perspective on the destination’s varied landscapes.
Events and Practical Information
At the Goslar Pewter Figure Museum, children and adults can cast and paint their own pewter figures in the open workshop. The Sehusa Festival is held every year in the park of the former Sehusa Castle and is described as northern Germany’s largest historical festival. The Salt and Lights Festival is also among the public events in Bad Harzburg. Check the dates and programmes for both festivals before your trip.
An interactive public transport network map for the district of Goslar shows the nearest stops and departure times and helps you discover local attractions. Transport information may change, so check the latest details when planning. Overnight guests can use HATIX free of charge during a holiday in the Harz if they pay the current visitor’s tax in a participating town. Check in advance whether your town participates and whether network coverage is available.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Goslar, first consider whether you want to focus your trip on the Old Town, the Imperial Palace and the museums, or include attractions in other towns as well. These offer everything from mining and hiking trails to seasonal winter sports. This way, you can plan your stay around the experiences that interest you most.
Discover more destinations: Bad Harzburg, Braunlage, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Goslar, Langelsheim, Seesen, Liebenburg, Vienenburg, Upper Harz, Sankt Andreasberg, Lutter am Barenberge, Altenau.
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