On a Visit to the World-Heritage Town of Quedlinburg
Quedlinburg is located in the federal state of Sachsen-Anhalt. The town belongs to the Harz region or that is to say in the Northern foothills. Quedlinburg reaches an average height of 123 m above sea-level. The bordering mountain ranges are situated at around 181 m above sea-level. The old town of Quedlinburg constitutes a UNESCO World-Heritage Site. The town has thus applied to be labelled as a World-Heritage Town. The application was granted and Quedlinburg is the only German town that is allowed to use this title. In addition to this, Quedlinburg is located on the Romanesque Road which consolidates European cultural possessions.
Journey to Quedlinburg
You can reach Quedlinburg via the North Harz motorway, as the B 6 also indicates, you can reach Quedlinburg from the West and the East. The main road connects to the motorways A 395 and A 14. If you want to travel to Quedlinburg via plane, the Leipzig/Halle International Airport is situated within closet proximity. The distance is around 90 km.
The Structure of Town in Quedlinburg
The municipal area of Quedlinburg comprises 7 districts. From the 1st of January 2014, Gernrode was incorporated into Quedlinburg. The inhabitants are still reminded of this due to the infrastructure. Gernrode is still a really independent district. As well as a primary school and a secondary school, there is also an extensive network of doctors for the inhabitants. They have everything they need in terms of local supplies, nonetheless, the number of inhabitants is shrinking year upon year.
The district of Quarmbeck is the industrial part of town. Amongst other things, there is a 100 hector business park. In bygone days, this district was the largest site for Soviet military forces in the surrounding area until they stood down in 1993.
Tourist Attractions in the World-Heritage Quedlinburg
The Altstadt, der Schlossberg, der Münzenberg “the Old Town, the Castle Hill and the Münzenberg” in Quedlinburg, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage as well as all of the timber-framed houses in the town, some of which are under a preservation order. You must not leave without having seen these tourist attractions.
The focal point of the old town is the Rathaus „Town Hall“, which was first mentioned in records in the year 1310. The building was renovated in the Renaissance style in the 17th Century. The entrance portal which is also the result of this renovation, seems extremely pompous and it bears the towns ́ coat of arms. At the end of the 19thCentury, the town hall was renovated again and in the course of this, both side wings were developed. You should take a look at the banqueting hall, it is decorated with murals which tell you about the history of the town.
The landmark of the town is located next to the town hall, theQuedlinburger Roland. The statue was mentioned for the first time in the 15th Century and for this reason it is one of the oldest statues of its kind. It must be an impressive 2.75 Metres in height.
There are several churches worth seeing in the whole urban area. The Marktkirche St. Benedikti was renovated around the year 1000. It was the focal point of the former municipality. Today it is the evangelical parish church and there is a lot of style to behold under only one roof. The Stiftskirche sits enthroned over the town on the Schlossberg. It dates back to the year 1129 and it was constructed where three other buildings previously stood. It is also described as the cathedral of Quedlinburg. On the opposite side you will find the Renaissance castle on the Schlossberg. The rooms that were once a residential and economic space, are now home to the Schlossmuseum “castle museum”.
Museums in Quedlinburg
The most significant museum in Quedlinburg is theSchlossmuseum. Since the Renaissance castle has stood empty since the start of the 19th Century, it has been put to good use with the museum. You can visit the museum daily from Tuesday ́s until Sunday ́s from 10am. Here you will find details about the prehistory and early history of the region, how the Burgberg was used and how the nunnery here came into being. Part of the exhibition is occupied by the Historische Bibliothek Quedlinburg „Historical Library of Quedlinburg“ and it will give you an insight into the intellectual history of the region and of German speaking countries. Some rooms are set up in such a way that you can see how people lived in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
In the Blasiistraße, you will find a Eisenbahn- und Spielzeugmuseum „Railway and Toy Museum“. Historical toys are exhibited here which originate from between 1880 and 1980. Above all, it is the extensive railway collection that is well-known throughout Germany and to this extent it is almost unique. On the second floor of the museum you will find toys and they mainly comprise a collection of dolls. In addition to this, there are also a lot of children ́s books and board games which demonstrate how the times have changed.
Restaurants in Quedlinburg
A good place to go is the Restaurant Theophano, which is located in the Palais Salfeld. Since it opened in the year 2008, it has developed into one of the best restaurants in town. You can expect haute cuisine in the restaurant which has specialised in Mediterranean food. Regional dishes such as the potato and wild garlic soup with grilled Harz Bratwurst, can also be found on the menu as well as the Wiener Schnitzel which for you will pay 17, 50 euros with side orders.
In the Restaurant Benedikt, which is located directly in the town-centre, you can come and eat on Tuesday ́s until Sunday ́s between 11am and 11pm. The meals offered here are international and enriched with regional products. From 4.50 euros you can get a soup and for main meals you will pay 10 euros.