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I love German old towns. Among other things, I previously wrote about Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Erfurt and Weimar. All cities with a rich history. This time it is the turn of Goslar, the city you find in the far north of the Harz. In this article I will take you along several sights in Goslar. From Utrecht it is about a 5-hour drive to this city. Do you have enough time for a multi-day trip and do you like driving? Then a city trip to Goslar is highly recommended!
History of Goslar
History in the northern Harz goes back to the time of the Romans. The Romans did not sit still, they were already busy mining ore. This created several settlements in the Harz. This created several settlements in the Harz. Goslar itself was founded in 922 by Henry I the Vogelaar, first Duke of Saxony and later King of Germany. Because silver as well as ore was found in the mines near Goslar, Henry II built an imperial palace in Goslar at the beginning of the 11th century and the city is considered one of the most important places of residence for emperors. The Rammelsberg mine closed in 1988 after which it became a museum. The museum exhibits as much as a thousand years of history of Goslar and its surroundings.
In 1992, the Rammelsberg mine, along with Goslar’s historic old city, received a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The southern Oberharzer Wasserwirtschaft, main source of energy for mining, was also added to the list a few years later. For over 800 years, this water board has been the main source of energy for the mines in Goslar. Much of these underground watercourses, ponds and canals are still in use today. There are several hiking trails that allow you to view many of these watercourses.
Sights and highlights in Goslar
A lot of money was made in the mines and this is reflected in the center of Goslar. Magnificent large buildings, centuries-old half-timbered houses and beautiful squares are remnants of the time when Goslar flourished. That the city center had to be well protected can be seen by the remaining pieces of city walls, gates and towers.
Medieval city center of Goslar
You will be short of eyes when walking through the medieval city center. So many sights to see in Goslar! You can see about 1,500 half-timbered houses from different periods in the center. Many of these buildings are unimaginably old. Such as, for example, the St. Annenhaus, the oldest house in Goslar. Also an oldie is the patrician house Brusttuch, built in 1521. Walk through the small streets of Goslar and you feel like you are in an open-air museum. Below is an overview of sights in Goslar. Places that made a big impression on me and that you could use as a guide for a walk through the medieval city center of Goslar.
Abzucht
Something you can’t miss while walking through Goslar is the Abzucht. The Abzucht flows right through Goslar’s Altstad. The water was used for centuries to power over 40 industrial water mills, which were scattered along the narrow river. It seems like a calm stream, but over the centuries the river has caused considerable flooding several times. The most recent of these was in 2017 in which many of the monumental houses suffered extensive damage.
It’s fun to follow the Abzucht for some distance, or to cross it again and again as you zigzag through Goslar’s Altstad. Simply go for the sound of flowing water and you will encounter it again. Along the quays are beautiful large half-timbered houses but you’ll also find picturesque little cottages like the one pictured below.
Keizerpfalz
Goslar’s Keizerpfalz is an impressive building. Especially when you consider that in the centuries it was used, it was the largest non-religious building in Germany. The Keizerpfalz was built between 1040 and 1050 and was used until about 1250 as Pfalz, a residence of German emperors. Goslar’s Imperial Palatinate is considered one of the best-preserved large buildings from that era. It is a museum where much is told about the emperors who used the building over the years.
View from Keizerpfalz
The large lawn in front of the Keizerpfalz slopes down at an angle and here you have a nice view of part of the Altstad from different heights. So don’t forget to stop at these places for an overview. The highest point is behind the Keizerpfalz, in the Pfalzgarten.
Pfalzgarten
During our walk we ended up at the back of the Keizerpfalz, in the Pfalzgarten. In itself not very special, but still nice to have been there for a while. Especially if you have not yet seen the front of the building, this place creates high expectations (which then also come true :-). As said, from this spot you also have the best overview of a large part of Goslar. Through the garden you walk within a few minutes to Die Glucsburgh.
Breites Tor and Rieslingsturm
One place you cannot miss in Goslar is where you will find Breites Tor and Rieslingsturm. Breites Tor was part of the main city gate until late medieval times. In the mid-15th century, Breites Tor was built as an inner gate and then expanded. In such a way that it ended up looking more like a castle than a city gate. In the 19th century, much of the fortifications were torn down, as it stood in the way of the city’s development. Fortunately, parts of it are still well preserved, such as the inner gate Breites Tor and the Rieslingsturm, the north tower of the outer gate that once stood there. When you stand on this spot and consider that half of the entrance gate has been demolished you can easily imagine how immense it must have once been.
Marktbrunnen
The Marktbrunnen stands at the heart of Martplatz. The beautiful fountain was built in the 12th century and is known for the imperial eagle on top of the fountain. It is an easily recognizable point in Goslar and is therefore used by many people as a meeting place. From this centrally located point you can easily walk to various places in the city.
Glocken- und Figurenspiel
The Glocken- und Figurenspiel is a well-known landmark in Goslar. It is situated in the Kämmereigebäude on the east side of the Marktplatz. It is situated in the Kämmereigebäude on the east side of the Marktplatz. Four times a day, doors open and puppets tell a story about mining in Rammelsberg. Melodies sound as the figures shuffle from one door to another. The figure play has been on display since 1968 and attracts many visitors several times a day.
Kaiserworth and Rathaus
The Gothic-style Kaiserworth was built at the end of the 15th century. It has been used as a hotel for over 200 years and is a real eye-catcher in Goslar’s Market Square. The inside is a lot less opulent than the outside. But the hotel’s location makes up for a lot. You couldn’t really be more central in Goslar!
The Rathaus (town hall) also dates back to the 15th century. In the centuries since its construction, it has been remodeled and expanded several times. Currently it is also being renovated again, so it cannot be viewed inside.
Check availability and prices in Hotel Kaiserworth
Marktplatz
On the Marktplatz you will find many nice restaurants and terraces in addition to the aforementioned Glocken- und Figurenspiel, the Marktbrunnen, Kaiserworth and the Rathaus. It is a nice place to hang out. Sit on the terrace with a drink and enjoy the beautiful buildings around you. Especially at the end of the day, when the light is beautiful, the buildings stand out beautifully.
Marktkirche St. Cosmas und Damian
The Marktkirche St. Cosmas und Damian is an unusual church. The church has two completely different towers. This came about because the church was built in two stages. Construction was started in the 12th century, but was not completed until the 14th. You can clearly see here what has changed architecturally in two centuries. Inside the church are statues of former emperors and you will also find a replica of the imperial throne, which once stood in the monastery church.
Großes Heiliges Kreuz
Großes Heiliges Kreuz, or Great Holy Cross, is another important landmark in Goslar. Starting in the 13th century, sick people, pilgrims and others in need of help could come here. Inside the building you will find several rooms. The former benefactor’s room is now used as a store.
Grundschule Goetheschule
The Grundschule Goetheschule is a beautiful and striking building in Goslar. The school was built in 1931 on a former factory site. The factory that stood there before construction became too small and due to surrounding buildings there were no possibilities for expansion. The factory moved to the outskirts of the city and so space was made for the construction of this school. Even today, the building still serves as an elementary school.
Peterstraße
Peterstraße in Goslar is one of the oldest streets in the city center. And according to many visitors also one of the most beautiful streets in Goslar. The district used to be home to mostly miners. On either side of the paved street are small, crooked half-timbered houses. Many houses are so crooked that you wonder how long it will take before the whole thing collapses. A street you should definitely walk through when visiting Goslar!
St. Stephani Kirche
On the Breite Straße, which runs from the Breites Tor toward the center, is the St. Stephani Kirche. Not so special in itself you might think, but still a nice spot in the green just outside the old center. Especially the cobbled street u. Kirchstraße next to the church is idyllic with its small half-timbered houses. Walk through the surrounding narrow streets to get an impression of the neighborhoods just outside the city center.
Bergstraße
Bergstraße and Peterstraße meet where Bergstraße turns off toward Rammelsberg. This is another delightful street to stroll through. This is the real old Goslar! The history here goes back to early in the 12th century. In the 16th century, the Bakers’ Guild was built, a building at the beginning of Bergstraße. The building stands out because of its beautiful bay window. On certain parts of the old pavement you can still see traces of the wheels of carts, as if they had been “ground” into the stones. At the end of Bergstraße is the Klauskapelle, a chapel from the early 12th century. The chapel used to be part of the city wall. Unfortunately, nothing of the city wall itself is preserved at this spot.
Siemenshaus
Another major attraction and one of the most famous sights in Goslar is the Siemenshaus. The Siemenshaus was built in 1693 in Schreiberstrasse. As the name suggests, it was the Siemens industrial family that lived here. It is a huge building, which served not only as a home but also as a business space. The Siemenshaus is one of the best preserved patrician houses in Goslar.
Die Glucsburgh
Another famous landmark in Goslar is the Glucsburgh. This building was built on top of a stone dam bridge, in the mid-19th century. The Abzucht, a tributary of the Gose River, flows under the bridge. The building used to house several apartments but in recent years has been converted into a creative meeting place for young scientists.
ErlebnisBocksBerg
Are you traveling with kids and have seen everything in the city of Goslar? Fancy some outdoor activities? Then take the elevator up to the ErlebnisBocksBerg. Here you can toboggan, mountain bike, hike and race down the mountain in mountaincarts. A fun combination with seeing the many sights in Goslar!
