Goslar, where emperors looses their hearts
On this sunday (24.4.2022) there is a reason to celebrate: After more than a decade of reconstruction the historic town hall of Goslar will open its doors to the public. And even though I have been there several times and a kid and later on as well I have to admit that I rediscovered this treasure anew. It raises my hope that this year there might be once again the wonderful christmas market. That is stil a dream of the future, today we are going to celebrate the city jubilee of 1100 years.
Business before pleasure
On friday my mobile calender reminds me of a special event: After eleven years of reconstruction the historic town hall of Goslar will open to the public next sunday. The date fits the 1100 years’ celebration of the city and is connected to a sunday shopping day. But before we allow ourselves fro some art appreciation and treats we want to stretch our legs. The day starts with wonderful sunshine and blue skies. That kind of weather attracts us to visit the Wolfswarte within the Harz Mountains.
We start our round course from the parking lot „Hedwigsblick“. The tour is only five kilometres long but the ascent at the start alongside the Clausthaler Flutgraben is quite steep. We hardly started our hike when I realize once more how beautiful the landscape with its mystical aura really is. Even though the numerous lumbered trees and the bold parts of the Harz cuts me to the quick I cannot help myself but to feel happy in this moment. Cheerfully the water is splashing within the ditch next to us, whereas just a few metres further on the last snow residiuums are melting in the spring sun.
Peak panorama
We scramble up to the Wolfswarte and enjoy the quite chilly winds on the stones which bring our heated up bodies back to normal temperature. It is a feast for the eyes how the grey colour of the stones stands out against the steelblue sky. And even here in the upper Harz the trees are already budding. After having admired the environment extensively we choose the Butterstieg for our return path. The way is narrow and steep but the forest floor is comfortably soft and bounces with every step.
Having almost reached our starting height we enjoy the sunlit, mossy trees alongside our way which reminds us on an enchanted forest. We are only lacking the seven dwarfs. After this wonderful tour we head to Goslar. We park our car a little bit outside the city centre close to the world heritage „Rammelsberg“. You can call it coincidence if you want to, on our way to the city centre we pass by the royal palace. Old memories from my childhood come alive. I remember my first time with my parents and how I listened to the words of my father when he spoke about Barbarossa and his times. And even today I am still fascinated by the palace of emperor Henry II.
Further down we pass by the dome hall and the King’s bridge. Then we reach the historical market place and thus the town hall of Goslar.
Eleven years and 14 million
The reconstruction of the town hall took 11 years and cost 14 million Euros. That’s a lot. The outcome? That’s exactly what we want to find out today. Prior to entering the building we already come across some people wearing historical costumes who either spin the wheel of fortune or blaze to the guests the right way into the town hall. Inside the building it is quite crowded. Every second person, either young or old, holds at least one jubilee balloon it his hand.
We start in the basement and take a look at the world heritage information centre within the former cellar of the town hall. Unfortunately this room is a little to packed to get a general idea. Therefore we concentrate on the heart of the building, the obeisance saloon. The hall has been build in the 16th century and is a jewel of late Gothic style. The way leads via the former archive as the hall itself cannot be entred because of a glass panel for protection. The room is really something special with its wall- and ceiling paintings.
Goslar is like a Hollywood movie – but just real
I once read in a newspaper that Goslar could have arisen from a Hollywood movie. Emperors and kings operated here, George Clooney shot a film here, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe paid the city a visit. More than 1.500 half-timbered houses form a really spectacular setting. And therefore it is the medieval core of the old part of the town that thrills us upon our way back to the car.
