Back Roads Germany (Dk Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

98

2 Harzer Uhrenfabrik

Saxony-Anhalt; 06507

Woodcarving has long been a

traditional craft in the Harz, which

is known for its cuckoo clocks.

WHERE TO STAY

AROUND BURG FALKENSTEIN

Reit-und Sporthotel Nordmann

moderate

A lovely hotel whose facilities include

a pool, sauna, and horseback riding.

Deistrasse 23, 06543 Stangerode

(12 miles/19 km west of Burg

Falkenstein); 03474 295 30;

http://www.nordmannharz.de

QUEDLINBURG

Am Brühl moderate

This country-house-style hotel in a

half-timbered building on the edge

of the old town serves regionally

inspired food.

Billungstrasse 11, 06484; 03943 961 80;

http://www.hotelambruehl.de

Schlossmühle moderate

A smart hotel with fine castle views

from its snug, spotless modern rooms.

Kaiser-Otto-Strasse 28, 06484; 03943

78 70; http://www.schlossmuehle.de

AROUND THE HEXENTANZPLATZ

Ferienpark Bodetal moderate

Neat little holiday village at the foot of

the Hexentanzplatz with a pool.

Hubertusstrasse 9–11, 06502 Thale

(4 miles/7 km north of the

Hexentanzplatz); 03947 776 60;

http://www.ferienpark-bodetal.de

AROUND THE BROCKEN

Waldschlösschen moderate

A family-run hotel with modern rooms

and impressive views over Braunlage.

Its Art Nouveau restaurant serves

local cuisine.

Hermann-Löns-Weg 1, 38879 Schierke

(14 miles/23 km south of the Brocken);

03945 586 70; http://www.waldschloesschen-

schierke.de

1 Burg Falkenstein

Saxony-Anhalt; 06543

Sitting on a rocky outcrop, the stocky

Burg Falkenstein (Apr–Oct: open daily;

Nov–Mar: closed Mon) provides views

over wooded hills and the eastern

plains of Saxony-Anhalt, making it

the most attractive castle in the Harz.

Built bet ween 1120 and 1180, it has

since been expanded. Inside, the

chapel is a highlight, as is the walk

around its interiors, which include a

museum. Falconry displays (Mar–Oct:

closed Mon) are an added attraction.

ª Follow signs to Ballenstedt and turn

left on to the B185. At the T-junction,

turn right to Rieder. In Gernrode, turn

right on Bergstrasse to Lindenstrasse.

Park in Harzer Uhrenfabrik.

BACK ROADS GERMANY

Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150

3 Quedlinburg

Saxony-Anhalt; 06484

Set in the rolling foothills of the Harz,

the town of Quedlinburg dates back

to its foundation as a fortress in 922,

after which it became the favorite

residence of Saxon emperors. The

town flourished as a center for dyes,

paper production, and engineering

in the Middle Ages, when most of its

half-timbered houses were built.

Reached by continuing along Carl-

Ritter-Strasse from the parking lot,

then turning left up Finkenherd, the

Schlossberg (open daily) is a knuckle

of rock that served as the foundation

for a 16th-century Renaissance castle

constructed around the Stiftskirche

St. Servatius (closed Mon), built

between 1070 and 1129. The adjacent

Schlossmuseum (open Sat–Thu) has

local treasures dating back to the

Stone Age. To the right of the castle

gates is a row of half-timbered houses

with a courtyard that hosts the

Lyonel-Feininger-Galerie (closed Mon),

The Harzer Uhrenfabrik factory

(open daily) is one of the few places

in Germany where visitors can watch

clocks being made. A few paces

down, Lindenstrasse lead to the

Stiftskirche St. Cyriakus. An early

pio neer of the Romanesque style,

it is one of the country’s best

preserved churches.

ª Head back towards Rieder, but

turn left on to Quedlinburger Strasse

before the town of Quedlinburg. In

Quedlinburg’s town center, turn left on

to Steinbrücke, then left again on to

Carl-Ritter-Strasse parking lot.

Above Aerial view of Burg Falkenstein and

the surrounding forest Below Entrance to

the Rübeland Höhlen