Visible from afar Germany’s most northern mountain range touches the horizon: the Harz.
The magic of the mountains lay hidden here for you to discover. Rugged granite cliffs, mountain pines, misty moors and deep valleys with babbling brooks are some of the characteristics of this region. Hiking and mountain bike trails wind through dense forests and lead to high mountain peaks. Rivers and lakes provide ideal places to cool down on hot summer days while in winter the snow-covered landscape of the Harz attracts many winter sports enthusiasts.
These sagas captivate because they are based in truths - and therefore, in many places in the Harz Mountains are almost tangible - albeit slightly embellished. When Charles the Great ruthlessly converted the pagans and disbelievers to Christianity, one of the last unspoiled places of refuge was sought in the Upper Harz Mountains. The distorted representation of the pagan ritual activities and faith had probably arisen during the late Middle Ages.The most well-known of these, was the famous "witches meeting" in Europe. The exuberant celebrations around the "Brocken" on Walpurgis Night, the first night of spring is not least memory of a time when Germanic tribes would celebrate the wedding of the powerful god Odin to Freya, the goddess of love and fertility. The famous legend of Princess Brunhilde the king's daughter, who dared to escape from the giant Bodo, by jumping across a mighty ravine that opened up in front of her, leaving a visible hoofmark embedded in the rock on the Ross Trappe.
The mining legends tell of the hard life, in the dark tunnels and the eerie helpful spirit of the mountain monk, which reflects the Christian faith (and superstition) off the miners in their subterranean darkness. The sleeping Barbarossa in Kyffhäuser is a historical figure, among others in the Harz, who have left their mark. From these templates, writers and artists have viewed the Harz as a reflection of their own inner world and found inspiration for their works.
Centuries of human history have left fascinating testimonies in the Harz and inspired generations of artists, writers and musicians.
Following in their footsteps to discover young and young at heart and culture lovers the Harz with all your senses.
In the navigation on the left you will find under the heading stage of world history, the castles and palaces, churches and monasteries, gardens and parks, museums, special city pictures and the memorial sites of the resin. Among the pioneering spirit and scientific curiosity of mining landscape, the historic development of the breweries and distilleries, and the age-old industry are discovering the resin. Inspiration for geniuses will introduce the artists and writers, the actors and stages, the virtuoso and the music of the Harz.
Remember a time when rail travel was something special and unique,
the sound of the engine's whistle, smoke drifting past the window and the smell of a real steam train evoke memories of a bygone age. Settle back, relax in the comfortable historic carriages and enjoy train travel as it should be done.
The Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (Harzer Schmalspurbahnen) have the largest network of narrow gauge railways in Germany and been classified as historical monuments since 1972. With a fleet of 25 steam trains, the oldest dating from 1897, 16 diesel engines and over 140km of tracks they connect the towns of Wernigerode, Nordhausen and Quedlinburg. The network can be divided into three principal railways; the Harz Railway, which connects Wernigerode to Nordhausen, the Selke Valley Railway, which branches of the Harz Railway to arrive in Quedlinburg, and the very popular Brocken Railway, which also branches off the Harz Railway and runs to one of the highest train stations in Germany, the summit of the Brocken.
Find more information on the official website of the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen.
Camping Okertalsperre
Kornhardtweg 2
38707 Altenau
Niedersachsen (Harzgebirge)
Tel.0049 5328 702
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