After this Kyffhauser Mountains we drove to the Harz National Park. He had been on our vacation plan for a long time, just because of photography. The Harz is known for having areas with very little light and Sebastian had hoped to be able to photograph the Milky Way. Unfortunately, it didn't work because it wasn't supposed to be visible until late at night and it was only clear for one night. But we have experienced and seen a lot of interesting things in the Harz National Park.
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Devil's wall
On the way to Quedlinburg we stopped and went for a walk at the Teufelsmauer. There was a small circular walk of about 1 hour. The Teufelsmauer runs with interruptions about 20 km from Ballenstedt to Blankenburg. It is a sandstone formation from the Upper Cretaceous Period. That it is interrupted is due to the ice age and the rivers as well as the popular quarrying of sandstone. Already in the middle of the 19th century it was placed under protection and at the beginning of the 20th century at Weddersleben under nature protection.
When we were hiking there, the impression of the devil's wall was just amazing. Knowing that you are facing something so old makes you humble and just enjoy the beauty.
Quedlinburg
The best parking space was very centrally located below the castle. We were in the old town in 5 minutes on foot. Since Quedlinburg has many half-timbered houses from several centuries, we took part in a city tour. It was very interesting to hear which buildings are from which century and how you can recognize them. The old town was founded in the 10th century.
I forgot most of it, though. But what I have kept is that you can see the craft on the front of the house. At a dealer you can see animals, mostly elephants. A shoemaker worked in shoes, etc. From the type of woodwork on the front of the houses you can tell which century the house comes from, whether the beam is rounded or has grooves.
Did you know that many old half-timbered houses were built from the 1st floor a little above the basement and the next floor too? This is because taxes were paid for the floor space and not for the living space during the construction period. That is why a little less was built below and a little more living space was added above.
The castle itself is very large and became the burial place of King Heinrich I in the 10th century. Shortly afterwards, his widow opened a women's monastery, which she was in charge of. Otto I., son of King Heinrich, Otto II. And Otto III. were regular visits to Quedlinburg.
The city is so beautiful to look at with its half-timbered houses that it is definitely worth a visit. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
Regenstein Castle
The ruins of the Regenstein castle and fortress lie between Quedlinburg and Wernigerode. We took a look at them spontaneously and were really impressed. The castle lies on the sandstone rock of the Regenstein and is surrounded on three sides by steep rock walls. So in the Middle Ages it was difficult to take. However, as with any stronghold, it was very easy to starve the castle residents if there was no proper water supply.
Parts of the castle ruins, such as an indicated tower, are still present. Another part of the castle was carved out of the sandstone of the rain stone. There are still an incredible number of well-preserved caves that make up the inner circle of the castle.
If you want to walk down a bit to get to the “observation post”, you can take the stairs or the “footsteps of the past”. These are so deep that one wonders how people got on without stumbling back then.
The fortress in front of the castle also consists of many caves. Even the horse stables were built into the sandstone. Today there is an exhibition in the preserved caves with the things that were found around Regenstein.
A beautiful ruin and in good weather you have an impressive view of the surrounding country.
Chunks
Of course we wanted to see the Brocken too. After Schierke we made a stopover in Wernigerode and walked through the city. Here we ate a specialty: the snowballs. A pastry made from shortcrust pastry with flavors shaped as balls. Delicious.
When we arrived in Schierke it was already late and we wanted to wait the next day with Brocken. But the next day brought continuous rain and wind up to force 11 and we used it to rest. The following day wasn't that great either, so we drove on. So the Brocken still has to be visited.
Bad Harzburg
We stood here one night and walked through the small town the next day. We had seen before that there was a treetop path and we wanted to do that to ourselves. That was a really good idea. The path runs approx. 1000 m past the treetops and is also a nature trail. In addition, it is barrier-free and can also be used with a guide. We made the way back via the root path on the ground.
Goslar
Of course, this city could not be missing either. The campsite we chose was about 2 km from the city center. A bus drove into town several times a day right at the square. But there was also a great footpath through the forest to get there. So we walked both there and back.
Like so much in the Harz National Park, Goslar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once a king and imperial city. Reichstag was held here in the imperial palace, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1025. This city also impresses with its old half-timbered buildings and cute alleys. You should plan a visit.
We were on the road for a total of 4 hours and covered a few kilometers. Finja was really knocked out and afterwards only slept.
Sebastian's insider tip
Looking for a cheap parking space in the Harz National Park, from the Barbarossa Cave, we are on the Experience the “Brauner Hirsch” inn in Harztor encountered. The parking space itself is very cheap and the location is brilliantly lonely. Here we could eat delicious home-style meals. It also has its own brewery.
The beer is a huge hit. I haven't had a better beer yet! Even the beer on the Isle of Skye, brewed with mountain water, doesn't quite keep up. If you are in the area, plan a visit.
Sebastian
For all photographers, don't forget your camera, here in the Harz National Park there is usually an absolute lack of light at night. In November we had a starry sky that gave you goose bumps.
Conclusion Harz National Park
The Harz is simply beautiful, as it was little damaged in the wars and a lot has been preserved from the centuries before. We were definitely not there for the last time.
