Introduction

Hello, my name is Katja Hinze, I´m twenty-two years old and currently I visit the professional school “Geschwister Scholl“ in Böhnshausen – Your twin school in Germany.

During the holiday we were asked to write about our home country. At the next pages we travel together step by step through the beautiful area “Harz“. I show you a lot of attractions like the “Tropfsteinhöhlen“ or the highest mountain which is called “Brocken“ and many many other interesting sights.

I hope you like it!

Best wishes

List

1. VIRTUAL TOUR

2. SPORTS ACTIVITIES

Virtual Tour

At the beginning I will present you a selected number of cities with the most important tourist sights. For the better imagniation I have attached many different pictures.

Have fun!Let´s start

First station

Blankenburg

Blankenburg is situated near the border of east and west Germany. Blankenburg lies centered in Germany.This good position near the Harz mountains was very interesting even in the past. The altitude of Blankenburg is about 180 – 310 m. It is a very good holiday residence. Further atractions are the “Big Castle“, which is constructed on top of a chalk rock called “Blanken Stein“, the “Devils Wall“, a pecuilar rock formation from Blankenburg till Ballenstedt, and the castle and fortress Regenstein

Second station

Thale and the Bode canyon

A few miles from Blankenburg you can find the small town “Thale“ with 15,200 inhabitants. Here start the Bode canyon. This valley is famous for their steep canyons and for the untouched nature. Today you can even find raccoons, wildcats and mufflons. Here also you can find the legendary “Hexentanzplatz“ where the “Walpurgis night“ is celebrated every year. Another highligt is the mountain theatre. It be-longs to the most beautiful nature theatres in Germany. You can reach the “Hexentanzplatz“ and “Rostrappe“with a cable railway.

third station

Quedlinburg

Quedlinburg lies in the east of Blankenburg. It´s a beautiful half -timbered town with 29,400 inhabitants. Today the castle hill with the collegiate church and the very good conserved old part of town form an ensemble of great cultural and historical importance. Therefore it has belonged to the Cultural Heritage of the World since 1995.

fourth station

Halberstadt

Halberstadt is situated on the street “Straße der Romanik“ and is called “The Gate to Harz“. In the early Middle Ages Halberstadt was one of the most important diocesan towns of Germany. Still today the Gothic cathedral and the church “Liebfrauenkirche“ stamp the city of Halberstadt. The collection of the cathedral, one of the most important association, is situated in the “Halberstädter Dom“. Among other things you can find the biggest collection of textiles compared with the Vatican.

fifth station

Wernigerode

Wernigerode is called the “colourful town“ and is situated 20 km westerly of Blankenburg. Wernigerode is very acquainted through the beautiful medieval centre with framed houses, the magnificent Town Hall in the Late Gothic style and the Castle. Today the castle is used as a Feudal Museum. Wernigerode is well-known for its untouched nature and the varied cultural monuments. Wildlife reserves and the “National Park Hochharz“ reach an area of 570 km².

sixth station

The Brocken

The Brocken is the highest mountain of the Harz mountains. It reaches a height of 3,747 ft or 1,142 m. At the Brocken the rivers Ilse and Bode have their sources.The railway which is called “Brockenbahn“ was opened in 1900. In 1937 the Brocken became the nature reserve “Oberharz“. After the foundation of the DDR the Brocken was explained to a no-go area and in that time the nature could recover after which the nature was destroyed by an air-raid. Since 1989 the Brocken has been reopened for visitors. Today it is possible to reach the Brocken with the “Brockenbahn“.

Lifecam BrockenClick me

seventh station

The Rübeland Stalactite Caves and “Show Mines“

A unique attraction are the Tropfsteinhöhlen in Rübeland; caves with wonderful stalagnites and stalagtits whose beauty never fails to impress their visitors. The cave “Baumannshöhle“ was first mentioned in the 16th century. Now the cave was accessible to the public. After that the “Hermannshöhle was discovered. The three floors of the cave system are connected by huge “halls“. Today it is Germany´s oldest “show cave“. A further attraction is the Blue Lake. It is called because of the crystal clear water.

wintersport activities

summersport activities

THE END

I hope we see you soon in Germany!

Best wishes to Sweden!