Quedlinburg – the Renaissance town
Quedlinburg is a small yet fascinating town with about 2,400 inhabitants. The northern part of Harz Mountains in the west of Saxony-Anhalt is where the town resides. It is a precious gem of Germany. The town resides to the northwest of Leipzig with many historical sites for any tourist to visit.
The beautiful half-timbered houses are preserved from 5 different centuries. The houses that were built so many years ago maintain their grandeur and leave the visitors impressed.
The town has a significant history. It was the capital of the district of Quedlinburg till 2007. Lying at the center of the German Empire, it has over 1,200 timbered houses that beautify the whole town. These houses were built in the 16th century or before. FachwerkmuseumStanderbau is one of the oldest half-timbered house in Germany. It was built in 1310. The small alleys surrounded by exquisite Fachwerks around the town are a must see. These have been well-preserved over the years and were even left unharmed during the World War II.
The Romanesque architecture of the town’s buildings and monuments attract tourists. Various activities and events happen throughout the year in the town. People enjoy the dramas, ballets, concerts and musical features that are presented in the Quedlinburg Theatre. Moreover, the Annual Christmas Market is a heart-warming festival celebrated in the main square in front of the City Hall.
Location
The Town was the capital of the district of Quedlinburg. However, in 2007 the district was dissolved. Most of Quedlinburg resides in the west of Bode River Valley. The river emerges from Harz Mountains and flows directly into the river Saale. The town covers an area of 120.42 square km. It shares its border with Oschersleben in the north, Sangerhausen in the south; with Blankenburg to the west and Aschersleben to the east.
History
The town of Quedlinburg is said to be founded in the 9th century during the settlement on the eastern bank of the river Bode called Gross Oden. The first mention as a town was recorded in 922 by King Henry the Fowler. The tale tells that in 919, the Franconian nobles offered King Henry the crown of Germany at Quedlinburg. His departure was recorded in 936. After his death, his wife St. Matilda founded a convent for women in Germany. The convent became a place where all the daughters of the higher nobles were educated. Also, prayers for late King Henry and the upcoming Kings were made.
In 966, Matilda was chosen as the first Abbess for the Quedlinburg Convent. She was the granddaughter of St. Matilda and King Henry I. Women ruled Quedlinburg for over 800 years. Many Abbesses ruled Quedlinburg till 1802 until Napoleon overtook the buildings of the convent. In 1862, the Collegiate Church was restored, and a new tower was added to the south of the building. The Church was vandalized and later on used for swearing-in ceremonies by the Nazi. The ferocity of the Nazis was on the hike as they tried to create a new religion. The Cathedral was shut down during the war in 1938. The town was liberated in 1945, and thus the Nazi-type eagle was removed from the tower.
In 1994, the old town, Collegiate Church and the castle were listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Climate
Quedlinburg experiences Marine, Maritime or Oceanic climate. It is most chilly during January and February. Snowfall usually occurs during the winter. The place is good to visit during summers or during the hottest months of July and August. It doesn’t get sweltering and is the best time to visit Quedlinburg. Also, the town experiences the least precipitation in Germany. It rains during May and September. Though, if you dislike rain and would like to visit when it would not pour, then August is your time.
The Town
Tourists usually define their visit to the town as a memorable one. They say it was as if they were on a film set. The town looks so magnificent with its cobble-stoned streets and colorful half-timbered houses. These houses and streets have been well-preserved for over 700 years. The authenticity of the town leaves one spellbound. If one were to visit the town, they’d get lost in the serenity and calmness. With men riding horses and small shops with rich handicrafts, the town, is a jewel in itself. It survived the World War II and hasn’t changed much since then.
Apart from the astonishing architectural buildings, there’s a lot to do in Quedlinburg. One can enjoy the guided tours done all around the year. These are available in different languages upon requests. Various cultural events and festivals lighten up the atmosphere. The town halls decorated with little fairy lights and enthusiastic performers brighten up these festivals. The Spring Awakening play is performed a weekend before Easter around the Castle Hill. Kaserfruhling is a spectacular Ottonian show that is presented at Pentecost. In June and September, events like Summer Music, Dixieland, and Swing, Enchantment of the Trees and Plants and Monuments can be enjoyed.
In case you are a shopaholic, then there are rare antique gifts you can buy from here, which would surely leave you satisfied. Although there are no big shopping malls in the town, small antique shops that provide various artistic handicrafts, are unique.
Once you get tired of getting around the town, ease back in a small cafe or restaurant. Some of these cafes have their tables spread out in the streets allowing their customers to enjoy the view and food. These restaurants, built in the medieval era, are often contrasted with the newly made modern cafes.
Traveling in the town
Traveling to a new place can be difficult at times. But, if you know all the routes and means of transportation it becomes a piece of cake. Moreover, the journey can become enjoyable too. The simplest way to visit Quedlinburg is via train. Regional trains from Berlin or Hanover can be accessed to reach the town. It takes approximately 3 hours from Berlin and 4 hours from Hanover. One can also take up the local bus services which connect various towns and visit other places too.
Also, exploring the surrounding area of Quedlinburg is a good idea. The place is full of various landscapes and sceneries of mountains, abbeys, and steep gorges. The Romanesque Road plays an efficient role in depicting the medieval times with its so many historical monuments.
Why visit?
The vast culture and heritage of the town take you to an era of the nobles and the Kings. The whole town is covered with over 1300 half- timbered houses dating back to 16th century. While the cobbled streets and medieval houses attract you to reach and learn more about their history, the various events, dramas, art, and cultural activities keep you highly entertained and occupied.
Also, the street food is delicious and less expensive. Any person who is interested in the German culture finds a variety of things, monuments and places to explore here.
To enjoy the nature, the mountains and abbeys here are a hiker’s paradise. A vacation in the Town of Quedlinburg will surely give you mesmerizing memories.
Major Attractions
The half-timbered houses and cobbled streets with wide square halls, the town of Quedlinburg is one of the best preserved and Renaissance towns in Germany. These colorful houses with large windows and painted ceilings together create the most beautiful scenes. Having survived the World War II, the town hasn’t lost its beauty and essence at all. The old town, Collegiate Church and the castle have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the sites that are worth a visit include-
- Cathedral- the Churches here are an excellent example of the German Romanesque buildings. Rare artifacts and books are preserved in the church which is considered as its treasure.
- Stiftskirche St Servatii und Domschatz- It is also called The Collegiate Church of St. Servatius. The first German King, Henry the Fowler was buried in this church. It is truly a masterpiece depicting the Renaissance period with its Romanesque architecture.The famous event, Summer of Music is performed The Church is a famous tourist spot as it was mentioned in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A large number of tourists visit this place every day.
- Lyonel-Feininger Galerie- The famous work of a Bauhaus artist which were concealed from the Nazis are presented in this gallery. The artist was born in Germany but later on became an American. The gallery is full of the most interesting art.
- Market Square- The market square is situated right in the middle of the town. It is surrounded by many timbered houses, which provide a beautiful scenery. The square is truly a rectangle which is decorated and stuffed with stalls and small shops during the winter. Many unique gifts and eatables are available here, which leave the tourists wanting for more.
- FachwerkmuseumStandebau- it is the oldest half-timbered house in Quedlinburg and also in the whole of Germany. The beautiful painted ceilings and large windows give an authentic look. It said that it was built in 1310.
- Quedlinburg Castle Hill
- Glass-painting Museum- This old museum arranges many workshops in which you can paint a glass or even a mug with your family. It worth a visit. The building was built in the 17th
- Klopstockhaus Museum- The building is fascinating with its white color. It is the place where poet Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock was born. The building was later on converted into a museum which beholds information about Gottlieb and other local yet famous poets.
- Some other museums to visit are-
- Schloss Museum
- Fachwerk Museum Standerbau
- Museum fur Glasmalerei und Kunsthandwerk
- Muizenberg Museum
What else is around?
- Thale
- Brocken
- Rammelsberg mine
- Harz
Quedlinburg, with lots of places and activities on offer, is the perfect tourist location that you should visit when you visit Germany. This place will keep you enchanted all throughout, and will definitely make your holiday a memorable one. So, go ahead and visit Quedlinburg with family and friends and enjoy exploring this place. You won’t regret it, we promise!