At the edge of the Harz Mountains lies the beautiful town of Quedlinburg, one of those rare places where time seems to have stood still. With winding streets, narrow alleys, atmospheric squares and hidden courtyards, this town is perfect to explore on foot. In this article, I’ll take you on a 6-kilometre city walk through Quedlinburg, leading you along charming streets and beautiful sights in both the Altstadt and the Neustadt.
Read this article in DutchA step back in time
The history of Quedlinburg dates back to the early Middle Ages. The town was founded in the 10th century and played an important role in the Holy Roman Empire. Emperor Henry I, who was buried in Quedlinburg, turned the town into an imperial stronghold. His wife, Queen Mathilde, founded an abbey that remained a centre of political and religious influence for centuries.
Protected by circumstance: the DDR years
Although much of Germany lay in ruins after the Second World War, Quedlinburg emerged almost unscathed. After the war, the town fell within the borders of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) — which, ironically, turned out to be a blessing for its half-timbered houses. Due to the lack of financial resources, there was no budget to renovate the old town, but demolishing it was also too expensive. As a result, the historic buildings were left standing, albeit in a dilapidated state. After German reunification in 1990, greater attention was given to Quedlinburg’s historical significance. Funding became available and restoration of the old town began.
UNESCO World Heritage
In 1994, the town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Quedlinburg was recognised for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval character and its impressive collection of half-timbered houses, which together form a unique historical landscape. The designation gave a strong boost to the restoration of the more than 1,300 half-timbered houses in Quedlinburg’s Altstadt. From that moment on, large-scale renovations were carried out (always with respect for the original architecture) ensuring that the town’s medieval charm was preserved. It’s remarkable that the lack of major modernisation during the DDR period ultimately allowed Quedlinburg to remain one of the best-preserved medieval town centres in Europe.
Staying in Quedlinburg
We stay in Quedlinburg with our family in this small apartment just outside the Altstadt. From here, it is only a 10-minute walk to the Marktplatz. The accommodation isn’t large and doesn’t have a garden, but that isn’t bothering us since we are out exploring most of the day. It is tidy and clean, which for me is the most important thing. Parking is free in the street. A great option if you don’t mind staying in a compact apartment with your family.
Walking tour through Quedlinburg’s Altstadt and Neustadt
Exploring Quedlinburg on foot is truly the best way to experience it. Walking allows you to pause, take in the details and fully appreciate the town’s unique medieval atmosphere. This walking route through Quedlinburg not only offers insight into the town’s rich history but also lets you enjoy everyday life in this charming place. Below, I’ll share some of the streets, hidden alleys, half-timbered houses and beautiful spots that left an impression on me during my walk through Quedlinburg. If you’re visiting for the day, you can park at the designated car park before starting your tour.
Finkenherd
From the car park on Carl-Ritter-Straße, I walk along Lange Gasse towards the Schlossberg. Soon I reach the small square called Finkenherd, where the Tourist Information Centre is also located. Finkenherd is one of the most historic places in Quedlinburg and holds a special place in German history. This small square is said to be the spot where Henry the Fowler was chosen as king in 919. According to legend, he was catching birds here when he received the news of his election, which earned him the nickname “the Fowler.”
Finkenherd is truly one of the most picturesque corners of Quedlinburg, especially because of the freestanding building that houses the Tourist Information. You can walk around it and admire it from several angles, each offering a lovely view. Don’t forget to step inside the Tourist Information; once you enter, walk straight ahead and take the stairs to the first floor. There, you’ll find an interesting exhibition that tells the story of Quedlinburg’s history and post-war restoration.
Schlossberg
As I continue walking, I soon reach the Schlossberg, perhaps the most iconic spot in Quedlinburg. This historic hill is home to the castle (which houses a museum), the former abbey and the Stiftskirche. The Schlossberg was once the centre of power in the town, with the castle serving as the residence of the noble guardian and the abbey founded by Queen Mathilde in the 10th century.
I walk around the hill on the left-hand side. The little streets at the foot of the hill are all wonderfully photogenic. After circling about three-quarters of the hill, I find a staircase leading upward. It brings me to the castle garden, where I’m rewarded with a lovely view over Quedlinburg. From here, you can walk to both the abbey and the castle. Unfortunately, during my visit everything is closed due to restoration work, but that doesn’t make the place any less impressive. The Stiftskirche, built in Romanesque style, houses the tombs of Emperor Henry I and Queen Mathilde.
Streets around the Schlossberg
Using the same staircase, I descend the hill and find myself once again in one of those picturesque streets surrounding the Schlossberg. Crooked little houses painted in cheerful colours, climbing plants covering the façades and cobbled lanes underfoot; that’s the best way to describe the charming atmosphere here.
Hohe Strasse
From here, I follow Hohe Strasse towards the Marktplatz, although I’ll explore that later on this route. Hohe Strasse is lined with beautiful half-timbered houses and there are plenty of charming views and hidden corners to discover. It’s worth turning around now and then, you’ll often catch another lovely glimpse of the street from a different angle.
Steinbrücke
A lovely hidden spot that’s easy to miss can be found at Steinbrücke, where the small stream Mühlgraben flows beneath the buildings. It’s one of those corners that immediately sparks your imagination, you can almost picture what life here must have looked like centuries ago.
Hölle
This part of Quedlinburg feels like the most photogenic area of all. Here, the streets twist and turn, archways lead to hidden courtyards and narrow alleys connect the wider lanes. It’s such a fun area to wander around! Hölle is one of those streets you’ll want to walk up and down several times. Still, I turn right here towards the Neustadt. Later on in this walking route, I’ll return to this enchanting part of Quedlinburg’s Altstadt.
Kaiserstrasse
I arrive at Kaiserstrasse, heading towards a remaining section of the old city wall. Kaiserstrasse is a straight, fairly wide street where in some places buildings even stand directly between the road and the pavement. You can immediately sense that this is Quedlinburg’s Neustadt, everything feels a bit more orderly and linear. Still, the half-timbered houses here are just as impressive as those in the Altstadt, even if the colours are a little more subdued.
Hinter der Mauer
At the end of Kaiserstrasse, the road curves to the left and becomes Hinter der Mauer. Here, you can still see parts of the old city wall and the Kuhhirtenturm, a defensive tower dating back to the 12th century. I find this part of the walk a little less charming, so I quickly continue back towards the Altstadt!
Nikolaikirche
On my way back to Quedlinburg’s Altstadt, I pass the Nikolaikirche, a Romanesque church from the 12th century distinguished by its twin towers. It almost looks as if the church was placed inside a courtyard, though it’s more likely that the half-timbered houses were built around it later. I walk a short loop around the church; it’s surprisingly quiet here, with a calm and pleasant atmosphere. From the Neustädter Kirchhof, as the courtyard is called, I continue along Pölkenstrasse towards the Neustädter Markt.
Mathildenbrunnen
In the Neustädter Markt stands the beautiful Mathildenbrunnen, a fountain named after Queen Mathilde. I take a moment to sit on one of the benches surrounding the fountain, enjoying the sunshine and the gentle sound of splashing water.
Jüdengasse
Through several streets, I make my way back into Quedlinburg’s Altstadt. I walk along the Jüdengasse, yet another wonderfully photogenic street. In this part of the old town I mentioned earlier, there are countless narrow lanes and hidden alleys to explore. The street arches slightly in the middle, making it a bit awkward to walk on. On both sides of the hump, however, flatter stones have been laid, making it much easier to pass. At the end of the street, I’m rewarded with one of the most beautiful framed views I’ve come across in all of Quedlinburg!
Stieg
The street right next to Jüdengasse is Stieg. You can walk a short way in to get a feel for the atmosphere or continue all the way to the end. There, turn right and you’ll soon see an archway on your right-hand side. Walk through it and you’ll find yourself in yet another incredibly photogenic little alley: Schuhhof.
Schuhhof
The colours in Schuhhof are truly striking. Unlike the soft pastel shades you often see elsewhere in Quedlinburg, here the tones are bold and vivid (green, red, blue) giving the whole street a cheerful, lively feel. At both ends of Schuhhof you’ll find covered passageways. I already mentioned one of them above; the other is long, narrow, low and dark. Walk through it and you’ll emerge beside the church, just steps away from the Marktplatz.
Rathaus
On the side of the Marktplatz, you’ll pass Quedlinburg’s famous Rathaus, an impressive example of medieval architecture and one of the city’s most important landmarks. The Rathaus has a rich history dating back to the 14th century. The building is a blend of architectural styles, featuring both Gothic and Renaissance elements. The façade is adorned with decorative details, though much of it is hidden from view: the front of the building is almost entirely covered in climbing plants.
Marktplatz
The Marktplatz is the lively heart of Quedlinburg. This is where you’ll find most of the restaurants and cafés and where people come together to enjoy the atmosphere. Yet I’m surprised by how calm it is here, even in the middle of summer. Quedlinburg had long been on my list of places to visit, alongside other towns and cities known for their half-timbered houses such as Colmar, Goslar, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Dinkelsbühl. By now, I’ve visited them all and I can tell you that in many of those places, it’s often so busy you can barely move. In Quedlinburg, however, that’s not the case at all. It feels as though the city remains pleasantly undiscovered.
Goetzsche Mausoleum
After a stroll around the Marktplatz, I walk along the left side of the Rathaus and then past the Marktkirche St. Benedicti. Here, you’ll come across the Goetzsche Mausoleum, built in 1726 for the deceased merchant Christoph Gebhardt. Originally, the mausoleum stood on the northwestern edge of the churchyard of the Marktkirche. When the cemetery wall was demolished and the graves were cleared at the beginning of the 19th century, this mausoleum was the only tomb left standing. It’s quite a striking sight, a mausoleum at the end of a row of residential houses!
Schreckensturm
I head a little further north to take a look at the Schreckensturm, a striking tower in Quedlinburg that was once part of the old city wall. Built during the Middle Ages, it is also known as the Tower of Terror: a name that hints at its dramatic past.
This walk through Quedlinburg now leads you back to the starting point. The route is about six kilometres long but can easily be shortened or extended. Simply skip a few streets or add some extra ones along the way. Beyond the beautiful spots mentioned above, there are plenty more fascinating sights to discover throughout Quedlinburg.
Combine Quedlinburg with other beautiful places in the Harz Mountains
A visit to Quedlinburg can easily be combined with other lovely towns, villages and natural sights in the Harz Mountains. Consider the city of Goslar, with its stunning Altstadt and famous mines. If you enjoy nature, the Harz is the perfect place to unwind. Go for scenic hikes, for example around the impressive Teufelsmauer. Travelling with family? Then try some summer tobogganing: fun options include Sommerrodelbahn Bocksberg and Harzbob Thale.
How to get to Quedlinburg
By car, it takes around six hours to drive from Utrecht to Quedlinburg (roughly 500 kilometres). It’s an ideal option, as having your own car makes it easy to explore the Harz region. If you prefer not to drive such a long distance, flying to Leipzig is a great alternative. From Leipzig Airport, rent a car and you’ll reach Quedlinburg in about 1.5 hours. Prefer travelling by train? That’s possible too: expect a journey of at least 7.5 hours with several transfers along the way.
