Quedlinburg

Quedlinburg is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval Renaissance towns, added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1992. Almost all buildings in the town centre are timber-framed, some dating back to the 16th century, with one of Germany's oldest structures from the 14th century still standing. The town escaped major damage in World War II, and preservation orders protect a large number of properties, making it a remarkable sight to walk through the narrow alleys and colourful painted old houses.

Quedlinburg was once at the centre of the German Empire, with the castle (Schlossberg) perched above the city featuring the restored baroque Blue Hall (Blaue Halle). The town sits on the northern boundary of Harz Mountains National Park. For those interested in timber-framed architecture, the Fachwerkmuseum Standebau in one of Germany's oldest half-timbered houses (1310) is essential.

Quedlinburg Station (Bahnhof Quedlinburg) is on Bahnhofsvorplatz 1. The town is connected by regional train services, and since 2006 the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway has extended into Quedlinburg from Gernrode, providing access to the broader Harz rail network including services to Wernigerode, Nordhausen, and the Brocken line.

The Harz Narrow Gauge Railway (Harzer Schmalspurbahnen) connects Quedlinburg to the principal cities of Wernigerode, Nordhausen and several smaller towns. The Brocken Railway Line, resumed in July 1992, climbs from Schierke (685 m) to the Brocken (1142 m). The Selke Valley Railway is described as the most romantic track of the narrow gauge network. The Romanesque Road nearby recounts dynasties from German and European history.

The peak season for visiting Quedlinburg is April through October when most museums and attractions operate extended hours. The Collegiate Church and Schloss Museum open from 10:00-17:30/18:00 in summer and 10:00-15:30/16:00 in winter. The Bode Valley and Brocken hiking trails are most accessible in warmer months. Note that many attractions close on 24-25 December and 1 January.

The Stiftskirche St Servatii (Collegiate Church) and its Domschatz treasury on Schlossberg 1 showcases excellent German Romanesque style with ancient artefacts and books. The Schloss Museum occupies the castle hill. The Fachwerk Museum Standerbau at Wordgasse 3 demonstrates half-timbered architecture in a house dating to 1310. The Lyonel-Feininger Galerie displays works of this important Bauhaus artist who was born in Germany but became an American citizen, with most works hidden from the Nazis by a Quedlinburg resident.

The Brocken offers a full-day excursion: steam trains climb from Schierke to the 1142 m summit where you find the Brocken House, Brocken Hotel, and TV tower. Adults pay €4 and children (6-16) €2 to enter the museum in Brocken House, which covers witches, military base history, and border post exhibits. The 8th floor of Brocken Hotel has a free glassed-in viewing point with excellent views. Guided city tours run year-round at 14:00 with additional 10:00 tours April through October; English tours available upon advance request.

Budget accommodation starts at Hotel Pension Weingart from €35 with free parking and country-style rooms. The Hotel Garni Am Dippeplatz in a beautiful half-timbered building offers rooms from €35 in the oldest street leading to the market square. The Hotel Domschatz occupies an over 200-year-old timber-framed house at the foot of the Burgberg with free Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast buffet from €45. For luxury, the Schlosshotel Zum Markgrafen on the old Market Square offers rooms from €105.

Budget eating at Kartoffelhaus No1 on Breite Str 37 offers meals for €5-10 in a rustic atmosphere with a beer garden. Wispel Pub on Steinweg 81 advertises food prices like in the 1980s but is non-touristy Ostalgie (note: interior can be smoky). For mid-range dining, Muenzenberger Klause (€10-16) on Polle 22 has a tavern style with summer terrace, while Himmel & Holle (€15-22) on Holle 5 serves delicious German cuisine. The Brauhaus Ludde between the market place and castle offers traditional German cuisine next to a working brewery for €20-30.

There are no big shopping centres in Quedlinburg. Instead, the town prides itself on numerous little curio shops selling arts and handicrafts, plus antique shops offering wide choices. Many shops are housed in beautiful medieval properties throughout the city centre, alongside modern shops with current items. The blend of historical ambience and contemporary shopping creates a unique browsing experience.

The Quedlinburgerhof Hotel offers wireless internet access throughout the building, and the Hotel Domschatz provides free Wi-Fi. For further tourism information, visit www.thisisharz.com/quedlinburg. German mobile operators provide standard coverage in the area.

Thale's Hexentanzplatz (Witches Dance Floor) is reputedly an Old Saxon cult site, now a small theme park with rides, gift shops, and wildlife park reached by gondola lift. The nearby Bode Valley trail follows the river through dense forest into open meadows ending near Treseburg (about 10 km, 3 hours). Halberstadt and Nordhausen are accessible by the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway network. The Brocken (1142 m) is the highest peak in the Harz Mountains and can be reached by historic steam train from Quedlinburg.

The Harz Mountains offer dramatic gorges and mountainous landscapes for hikers and bikers. The Romanesque Road recounts dynasties from German and European history going back over a thousand years, with many Romanesque edifices in the immediate vicinity. The Harzer Schmalspurbahn narrow gauge railway runs from Quedlinburg through the Selke Valley to the top of the Brocken. Thale and its Hexentanzplatz, Bode Valley, Halberstadt, and Nordhausen are all within reach using regional transport.