The Goslar Imperial Palace a.k.a. Goslar Kaiserpfalz is a must-see destination in a UNESCO World Heritage city. Relive the ancient glory of the long-gone Holy Roman Emperors with a trip to this richly historical German imperial palace.
In addition, the charming town of Goslar has attracted such poets as William Wordsworth.
About The Goslar Imperial Palace And Its History
The Goslar Kaiserpfalz is a unique piece of historical architecture. Built from 1040 to 1050 under the orders of Heinrich III, it is one of few secular structures built at the time. Even so, it is regarded by many art historians as the largest, oldest and certainly best-preserved secular buildings of the 11th century.
The location was chosen because of the proximity to the Rammelsberg Silver Mines, whose wealth attracted the Holy Roman Empire. The palace was later used mainly for summer residences of the royal family.
Heinrich III (known better to some as Holy Roman Emperor Henry III) was particularly fond of this place and visited at least twenty times during his life. He was later buried within the palace walls.
The Goslar Kaiserpfalz reigned in glory for over 200 years but by 1289 was beginning to fall into disrepair. From this time until the mid-1800s, fires broke out, towers collapsed, stone was quarried for other buildings and once-grand halls were used as storage rooms. It wasn’t until 1868 when it was decided to save the palace, rather than let it fall into complete ruin. Reconstruction was completed in 1879.
Goslar Imperial Palace Highlights And Features
St. Ulrich Chapel
This chapel is housed in the south side of the palace. St. Ulrich’s is a special place within the Goslar Kaiserpfalz. Not only can you see the royal sarcophagus of the Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich III, but within the visible golden capsule is the literal heart of the long-dead emperor.
Palace upper hall
The Palace upper hall is placed on the do-not-miss list because of the wonderful artwork. Here on the walls, you can view the spectacular and monumental murals of the artist Hermann Wislicenus. The murals showcase scenes from old German legends as well as pictures of royalty. Some famous faces include Frederick I, a.k.a. the infamous warrior-king Barbarossa.
Goslar Imperial Palace Location And Opening Hours
You can find the spectacular Goslar Kaiserpfalz in the city of Goslar, which is in the region of Lower Saxony.
For the technically-savvy travelers who are bringing their navigation gadget with them, you can input the street address of Kaiserbleek 6 in 38640 Goslar for precise instructions. But don’t worry. Even if you are bringing an old-fashioned map, Goslar is still easy to find.
The autobahns that run close to Goslar are Autobahn A2 and Autobahn A7. The A7 leads to the the Bundesstraße B82 via the Rhüden (Harz) / Goslar exit. From the A2 coming west, you can link up to the A7 and follow the previous instructions. Those heading eastwards have a little trickier ride. Connect from the A2 to the A391 (Junction Braunschweig North), to the A39 ( Junction Braunschweig Southwest) to the A395 (Junction Braunschweig in the direction of Bad Harzburg) until you reach the Goslar exit on the B6.
But what if you don’t have a car in Germany? There’s no worry here either, as the extensive rail and bus network will make your trip a breeze. The train station is wonderfully convenient, as it is situated just outside of Old Town and within walking distance from most of Goslar’s main sights. There are also many bus connections from various nearby cities.
For the latest information, check out Stadtbus (City Bus) Goslar and/or Regionalbus Braunschweig.
Goslar Imperial Palace Opening Hours
The Imperial Palace of Goslar, the Kaiserpfalz, may be visited in the summer months of April to October from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., or in the wintertime months of November to March from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. The palace can be closed for certain holidays and other special events, so always check ahead!
