This medieval city in the Harz Mountains houses an 11th-century cathedral and a UNESCO-listed mine that operated continuously from the 9th century until 1992.
In Goslar's narrow streets, you'll walk past 1,800 half-timbered houses from the 13th-16th centuries. Stop at the Market Square to see the 12th-century town hall with its blue starry ceiling and Gothic frescos. Visit the 11th-century Imperial Palace where German emperors once lived, or descend into the Rammelsberg Mine's tunnels to see how miners extracted silver, copper, and lead for over 1,000 years until 1988.
Getting to Goslar
Regional trains connect Goslar to Hanover (1.5 hours), Brunswick, and Magdeburg. From Hanover International Airport (HAJ, 65 miles) or Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ, 103 miles), take a train or rent a car. The town center spans just 800 meters, making it easy to explore on foot.
Exploring the Market Square
The Markt's centerpiece is a 13th-century fountain with Goslar's golden eagle. Look up at the 500-year-old Kaiserworth building to spot wooden figures of German emperors carved into its facade. This former tailors' guild house now operates as a hotel. Inside the medieval Town Hall (open daily 10:00-17:00), you can see the Hall of Homage with its blue ceiling decorated with stars and walls covered in Gothic frescos.
Inside the Imperial Palace
Visit the Kaiserpfalz (open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:00) to see where German emperors ruled from 1040 to 1250. The Imperial Hall's walls rise seven meters high with 19th-century murals depicting emperor portraits from Charlemagne onward. A separate chamber contains the original bronze throne used by rulers of both the First and Second Reich.
Discovering Rammelsberg Mine
Take a guided tour through Rammelsberg's underground tunnels (tours every hour, €16 for adults). The mine operated from the 10th century until 1988. You'll see original mining equipment and learn how medieval miners extracted silver, copper, and lead. The mine's water wheel system, built over eight centuries, still turns today, pumping water through wooden channels.
Walking Along the Abzucht
Follow the Abzucht stream between the old town and Imperial Palace. The 2-kilometer path runs past medieval houses with carved wooden details. In spring, residents place red geraniums in window boxes along the route. Walk 20 minutes to reach the Maltermeister Tower, where you can climb for views over Goslar's red-tiled roofs.
Churches and Architecture
Step into St. Cosmos and Damien Church to see 13th-century glass mosaics showing the saints' lives. Each church tells a different architectural story: Neuwerkkirche with its Romanesque arches, St. James's Gothic spires, and the Market Church's combination of both styles. Look for wooden figures carved into house facades – some show jokes, others depict local legends.
Local Food and Brewing
The town brewery on the market square makes beer in a 16th-century yellow building, naming each brew after local landmarks. Try the Rammelsberg Dark or Kaiser Gold. Local restaurants serve Harz Mountain dishes like wild boar stew and venison with mushrooms collected from nearby forests.
