When you step off the train in Harzgerode at a small brick station, you could really be anywhere in the world by the looks of it. But, once you get past that train station you’ll find it to be 100% true German; right down to its castle ruins.
Some people find lighthouses romantic; others find quiet tree-lined streets romantic; yet others find castle ruins romantic.
Good thing there are the ruins of Castle Anhalt and Castle Güntersberge to see. Look at it this way… If you had to live in the Middle Ages, wouldn’t you wanted to have done it in style?
Hmm, I start thinking about the castles & then I can’t think of anything else.
I’m just playing; I got more to tell ya about Herzgerode.
Besides its castle ruins, there are a few museums in this small town in Saxony-Anhalt. There’s a Castle Museum (of course!) and a Mining Museum. A unique museum is the town’s School Museum. Ha, just the place the kids will want to see during their summer vacation! ;-)
Let’s see, what else will you find?
Oh, the Peter Chapel in the village of Alexisbad (there are only 42 people that call this place home) is a nice stop. The chapel does more than just hold religious services; it’s a concert venue too.
In Güntersberge you’ll find the graves of Soviet forced laborers from World War II, and a memorial plaque at the nearby Jewish Cemetery.
There is also a charming half-timbered Town Hall (called a Rathaus in German), and two churches that share the same name, St. Mary’s. Just so you know one is Catholic, the other is Lutheran.
For some outdoor activities there’s a ski jump, and a Nordic Walking Trail for all levels of fitness.
Every year on the first Sunday in June is the Harzgerode Run. It has a 16km race, a 5km race, and 2.5km race; and for the kids there’s a 1km run — just in case you want to start training now.
In the village of Silberhütte there’s a Forest Church; and a festival that centers around two rustic steam engine trains.
Didn’t I tell you that Harzgerode was all German, even if the train station makes you think you could be anywhere?!
