If it wasn’t for one of my favorite castles in Saxony-Anhalt I might not have ever found the (politically young) town of Nordharz, situated along the Ecker River. You’ll find it located just one town over from Wernigerode (yes, that would mean that Wernigerode Castle is one of my ultimate favorites), and is a stop on the Grünes Band (Green Belt).
There are eight localities that make up the town of Nordharz, which also sits along the Harz Nature Park. Actually, there would be nine, if the village of Rimmerode wasn’t totally deserted.
Yeah, I guess that makes it a ghost town of sorts. ;-)
In that case, let’s get back to the other eight. Abbenrode was once on the Inner German border, but its military style church tower has lasted much longer than the Cold War.
Danstedt’s contribution to Nordharz’s sightseeing is its windmill, built in 1817. On Mill Day, it’s the venue for all sorts of festivities.
Most of the sightseeing to be done is in the village of Stapelburg. This is the reason Nordharz is on the Green Belt, and you’ll find it right on the border of Lower Saxony. You’ll also find the ruins of a medieval castle (Burg Stapelburg, which was originally used by the Counts of Wernigerode), hiking around the Harz Border Trail, and the final resting place of forced laborers of World War II.
While Langeln might’ve been a “home base” of sorts for the crusading German Order of Knights, it’s Schmatzfeld that’s got the medieval cemetery.
As with most medieval towns, you’re bound to have a church or two. Yet, the one in the village of Heudeber didn’t come along until the 19th century.
A great place to think about all great things in Nordharz is the English style gardens in the village of Wasserleben. Or, you can always take a walk along the Ilse River instead.
Afterwards meet me at Wernigerode Castle, and tell me all about how you liked Nordharz.
