Sights in Wernigerode.
The castle towers above the red rooftops; down on the market square, the bay windows of the town hall reach up towards the sky; and somewhere, a steam locomotive whistles. Wernigerode is small enough to explore on foot, and rich enough in stories to last for many days. The finest sights in Wernigerode begin right on our doorstep: the A-ROSA Gothisches Haus is situated on the market square, side by side with the town hall.
The old town of Wernigerode.
Town Hall & Market Square
The town hall is the town’s iconic postcard view. First mentioned in records in 1277, it now features ornate bay windows, pointed turrets and colourfully painted carved figures on the beams. It looks at its most beautiful in the early evening, when the light softens and the market square quietens down.
The Benefactor’s Fountain
A neo-Gothic cast-iron fountain has been splashing away in the centre of the market square since 1848. It honours those who have rendered outstanding service to Wernigerode: their names are immortalised all around it. The fountain is a popular photo spot and a tried-and-tested meeting point when a group splits up in the old town.
St Sylvestri Collegiate Church
At the Oberpfarrkirchhof, the church tells several chapters of the city’s history. Following a fire in 1751, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style; the Neo-Gothic tower was added in 1891. Surrounding it are some of the city’s most beautiful half-timbered houses, creating a peaceful spot away from the hustle and bustle of the market.
The Smallest House
On Kochstraße, a house has been squeezed into a gap between two neighbouring properties, barely three metres wide. Today, it houses a small museum that shows how people used to live in such cramped conditions.
The Leaning House
On Klintgasse stands a half-timbered house that is visibly leaning to one side. It was built in 1680 as a fulling mill for clothmakers. Over the centuries, the mill stream has eroded the foundations, hence the tilt. Today it houses a museum.
The Krummel House
On Breite Straße, the façade itself is a work of art: in 1674, a grain merchant had the house adorned from top to bottom with wood carvings depicting the continents.
The Brocken.
A bare summit, sweeping views and often a wisp of mist: the Brocken is the mountain in the Harz Mountains around which most legends are centred. As well as the steam train, there are six marked hiking trails leading up to the summit, starting from places such as Schierke, Ilsenburg or Torfhaus. The combination of both is particularly lovely: walk up, then take the Brocken Railway back to Wernigerode.
Steam, Technology & Stars.
Brocken Railway
The Harz narrow-gauge railways set off from Wernigerode on their journey up to the Brocken, the highest peak in northern Germany at 1,141 metres. The route winds through forests and valleys, and the steam locomotive can be heard labouring its way upwards metre by metre.
Behind the scenes of steam locomotives
At the vehicle workshop at Westerntor station, you can take a guided tour of a hall dating from 1926: 70 metres long, 25 metres wide and 11 metres high. The new steam locomotive workshop complements this with a visitors’ gallery, an exhibition on railway history and an outdoor area for young railway enthusiasts. Advance booking is required for the guided tours; you can find the latest dates on the HSB website.
Aviation Museum
You can see the Transall on the roof even from a distance. In four hangars covering around 6,000 m², aeroplanes, helicopters and engines tell the story of aviation.
Harz Planetarium & Planet Trail
Starting from the model of the Sun at Heltauer Platz, the Planetary Trail winds its way for just under five kilometres through the city, past eight granite pillars on a scale of 1:1 billion, to the Harz Planetarium. Anyone still curious afterwards will find answers to the questions posed by the night sky beneath the dome.
’s FAQs on places of interest in Wernigerode.
What are the must-see sights in Wernigerode?
High on the list are the town hall on the market square, Wernigerode Castle, the ‘Smallest House’, the ‘Leaning House’ and a ride on the Brocken Railway.
How do I get to Wernigerode Castle?
You can walk up through the woods or take the Schlossbahn from the old town.
What can you do in Wernigerode when it’s raining?
Some good places to visit include the Aviation Museum, the Harz Planetarium, the ‘Museen im Kleinsten’ and the ‘Schiefen Haus’, a guided tour of the workshop at HSB, and the Castle Museum.
Which attractions are suitable for children?
Particularly popular are the ‘Kleiner Harz’ miniature park, the steam locomotive workshop, the aviation museum and the Christianental Wildlife Park.
Is it possible to hike from Wernigerode to the Brocken?
Yes. Many walkers take the Brockenbahn railway up and walk back down, or vice versa. Popular routes start in Schierke, Ilsenburg and Torfhaus.
Current offers at the A-ROSA ‘
’ at the Gothisches Haus in Wernigerode.
Christmas in the Harz Mountains
2 persons, 4 nights
Easter in Wernigerode
2 persons, 2 nights
Early Bird including breakfast
2 persons, 2 nights
New Year’s Eve in the Harz Mountains in Wernigerode
2 persons, 3 nights
