Goslar is a small mining town in the Harz Mountains in central Germany. It’s famous for its 1000-year-old Rammelsberg Mine and stunning Old Town, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wandering its atmospheric half-timbered streets and venturing underground into the Mine are up there with the best things to do in Goslar.
It is one of the most fairytale and fantastical of all old towns in Germany. Many of Goslar’s houses are richly and elaborately decorated, with vivid carvings of everything from exotic creatures to naked women riding goats backwards. The town owed its wealth to the Rammelsberg Mine, which extracted silver, lead and copper for over a millennium.
Goslar is relatively off the beaten path for international visitors because it’s a few hours’ drive or train journey from the main international airports. But it is absolutely worth the effort, possibly in combination with other places around the Harz Mountains including Quedlinburg and Wernigerode.
My Goslar guide begins in the Old Town (Altstadt), before branching out to the nearby Imperial Palace and Rammelsberg Mines and Museum. I also advise you on getting to Goslar, where to stay in the town and places to visit in the area. I hope you find it useful and inspirational. Enjoy!
Explore the Altstadt – Goslar Old Town
Goslar Old Town is wondrous. There are over a thousand half-timbered houses in the town, many with incredibly intricate carvings like the lead shot for the article.
And many of the places I describe in this portion of the article are very close to each other. It may sound like a lot of things, but you could walk around them in a couple of hours or so.
Marktplatz
The Marktplatz – Goslar’s Market Square – is the natural place to begin. The tourist information centre is housed at the back of the Rathaus (Town Hall). The staff are very friendly and helpful, but there’s not a great deal of printed information in English, and the town maps are small – part of a leaflet rather than a full sheet as you often find elsewhere.
Glockenspiel
Four times each day everyone in the Marktplatz stops to watch the famous Goslar Glockenspiel. At 9.00 am, 12.00 pm, 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm, a parade of mineworkers appears, lasting around five minutes.
They have been appearing daily since 1968, the 1000th anniversary of the opening of the nearby Rammelsberg Mine. They emerge from three doors. The first figures depict the discovery of silver ore on the Rammelsberg Mountain, the second medieval miners and the third 20th-century miners.
It’s not as old as the more famous Prague Astronomical Clock and its parade of Apostles. But at five minutes it’s a much longer spectacle, and Our Little Man thought it was great fun.
Rathaus or Town Hall
The 15th-century Rathaus (Town Hall) is a must-see, though you’ll need to join a guided tour (in German only at the time of writing) to do so.
The highlight is the magnificent Huldigungssall (Hall of Homage), a beautifully painted late Gothic hall decorated between 1505 and 1520. It’s worth persevering with it if you don’t speak German, as there is a small information handout in English on request.
A stunning sight indeed.
Golden Eagle Fountain
The Goslar market fountain in the middle of the square dates back to the 13th century. The lower part may be even older.
It’s crowned by a golden eagle, which is also from the 13th century – although its crown was added 500 years later. The eagle is an Imperial symbol, reflecting the town’s role as a seat of power for the Holy Roman Empire.
Spot The Dukatenscheisser – the Coin-Pooping Statues – on the Kaiserworth Building
The striking red building on the south side of the Marktplatz is now the Hotel Kaiserworth. It has been a hotel for almost 200 years – since 1831 – but started as a guild house (gildehaus) for the tailors of Goslar.
As you walk around Goslar you’ll notice plenty of ribald – some might say rude – statues and figures. Among the most famous in the town are the two dukatenscheisser or dukatenkacker – literally ‘ducat shitters’ – on the walls of the Kaiserworth.
It has been suggested that the figures serve as a reminder to pay one’s debts. It may well have been derived from a centuries-old fairytale (later adapted by the Brothers Grimm) about a donkey that also pooped gold coins.
Visit Goslar Marktkirche – SS Cosmas and Damian Church
The Market Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian is just behind (to the west of) Goslar’s medieval Town Hall. It’s dedicated to twin brothers who became doctors, and were martyred during the reign of Diocletian – either in the late 3rd or early 4th century. They are renowned as one of the patron saints of the medical profession.
It’s a Romanesque church, dating back to the 11th or 12th centuries. The windows of the two towers are one of the best-preserved elements from this time. The church was severely damaged during a fire in 1844, so it was rebuilt and reconsecrated over the following few years.
Inside, don’t miss the superb 16th-century pulpit, and the stained glass panels a few metres away at the end of the north aisle, which are believed to date from the 12th century. These phenomenal works of art depict the lives of Cosmas and Damian.
And Then Climb The Tower
For the best view in Goslar, you need to ascend the 231 steps of the north tower of the Marktkirche. It looks a fair way up from the bottom, and so it is, but the numbered steps – and the increase in them as you go – give you great encouragement.
We visited on a day of sharp hail showers mixed with short spells of sunshine, so I raced against the clouds to grab a few minutes of fantastic clear sunlight from the top. The sky was as black as some of the slate-fronted houses in the Old Town, but what a tremendous view. The red rooftops and black, white and grey medieval houses look magnificent from up there.
It costs just €3 to climb the tower. There is a small exhibition on the first floor, after which there is a wooden staircase most of the way. The last part is by a small ladder with narrow steps. If you have a bag on your back, take it off before you reach the top, as you won’t be able to get through the small hatch to the viewing gallery.
Easily one of the best things to do in Goslar.
Take The Goslar Tourist Train
Another great way to get an overview of Goslar is to take the tourist train (Bimmelbahn) around the town.
Faye and Our Little Man took the train while I walked the back streets of the town. They both loved it. It runs for 35-40 minutes seven times a day, taking in some of the Goslar town towers, walls and churches, as well as some of its most beautiful streets.
It starts from outside the Market Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, and the trip costs €8 for adults and €3 for children.
Brusttuch Hotel
This remarkable 16th-century building across the street from the Market Church is one of the landmarks of Goslar. It has a very unusual pitched roof, rising steeply at an angle from the rest of the building. Its name means ‘breast cloth’, whose shape some say it resembles.
The main reason to take a closer look at the Brusttuch is its extraordinary carvings. They are believed to be the work of Simon Stappen, a master carver from the nearby city of Braunschweig (Brunswick).
Even in a city rich in sculptures, these stand out. In one series, a woman ignores the advances of a devil-like figure, continuing to stir butter in a churn with one hand, with her other hand up her skirt showing she isn’t interested!
In another, a naked woman rides backwards on a goat, while another rides on a naked man’s back while wielding a whip. Goslar is a bit more sedate nowadays!
Coffee In The Schuhhof, The Oldest Square in Goslar
The Schuhhof (Cobblers Court)is the oldest square in Goslar, and one of the most beautiful spots in the city. It’s full of wonderful timber-framed (fachwerk) houses, and there are plenty of cafes with outdoor tables.
We visited during the last blast of winter, on a day interspersed with hail showers and sunshine, so the sheltered arcaded area (pictured) was most welcome!
Walk Along The Gorgeous An der Abzucht and Gose River
If you’re enchanted with the medieval architecture of Goslar, then take half an hour or so to explore this street along the Gose River.
It’s lined with half-timbered houses and cottages, as well as a frw slate-fronted houses. Many of these date from the 17th or 18th centuries.
It’s a wonderful 10-15 minute walk. Start at the entrance to the Goslar Museum, and just wander either side of the river. It was very atmospheric when I visited, with the river replenished by some heavy downpours!
Also take a wander away from the river to some of the other streets nearby, including Knochenhauerstrasse, a few steps north of the river.
Visit The Siemenshaus
Siemens is one of the biggest names in the technology world, and I was fascinated to learn that they have theory origins in Goslar.
Tha family has been traced back to 1384, na the Siemenshaus in Goslar was built over 300 years later, between 1692 and 1693. It’s a magnificent half-timbered building, one of the finest in a city abundant in them.
It stands on the corner of Schreiberstrasse and Bergstrasse, a few minutes’ walk to the west of the Marktplatz (Market Square).
It can only be visited as part of a group guided tour.
Visit the Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace)
Medieval Germany – which made up much of the Holy Roman Empire – didn’t have a single capital. Instead, the Emperor (or King, if he hadn’t yet been crowned by the Pope) travelled around his lands, staying at and ruling from a series of palaces. One of these was the Kaiserpfalz at Goslar.
It was the favoured residence of Heinrich III (Henry III) who is believed to have stayed there twenty times or more. The main building on the site, the Kaiserhaus, was built around 1050, and was the largest secular building of its time. The Palace was occasionally used as an imperial residence until the 13th century, after which the complex gradually declined.
The main Kaiserhaus (Palace) has been restored and is hugely impressive, particularly the ceremonial Kaisersaal (Imperial Hall). The Palace Chapel of St Ulrich has also survived. You’ll also notice the Cathedral Porch, and wonder what happened to the Cathedral. It is long lost, its ruins pulled down in the 19th century.
Uncover More Goslar History At The Goslar Museum
The Town Museum (Stadtmuseum) is well worth an hour of your time. The town’s history is fascinating, and some of the exhibits here help you put a lot of pieces of the jigsaw together.
It’s worth visiting for the stunning Krodo Altar, the only Romanesque metal altar to have survived. I’m not sure that many would have ever been made, but this is an astonishing work. It’s supported by four kneeling figures, while the table part of the structure includes a series of holes. To me it looks futuristic, so it’s all the more remarkable that it’s around 900 years old.
It was originally in the aforementioned Goslar Cathedral, part of the Imperial Palace complex.
Tour The World Heritage Rammelsberg Mine
The main reason for Goslar’s existence and prosperity is the Rammelsberg Mine complex two miles or so south of the town. The mountain was mined for silver, lead and copper ore for over a thousand years until the deposits were exhausted.
There are three sections of the Museum – the central power station, storehouse and ore dressing plant. However, you need to go underground to make everything come to life. You can do so on several guided tours.
The basic museum-only ticket costs €9 for adults, €4.50 for children. Guided tours then cost extra – usually around €10 per adult per tour.
My son and I would have loved to have gone on a Mine Train Tour, which takes you underground to learn about a day in the life of a Goslar miner. However, the tour (as were the others) was only available in German at the time of year we visited Goslar (March) and it would have been lost on him. A real pity. Tours in English (and Danish) are available in the summer, but I would advise contacting the Mine before you visit to make sure there’s a suitable tour for you.
See Also: 17 Best Historic Industrial Sites In Europe To Visit
Visit The Hahnenklee Stave Church
The remarkable wooden stave church (stabkirche) was built in the early 20th century in the nearby town of Hahnenklee.
It’s inspired by similar wooden Norwegian churches and is a magnificent sight. It’s open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm during the summer months, with reduced opening hours over the winter.
Where Is Goslar
Goslar is in the north-west of the Harz Mountains area of Central Germany, near the eastern edge of the Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) region.
Here are some sample distances to Goslar from major cities in Germany:
Berlin to Goslar: 264 km
Leipzig to Goslar: 186 km
Hannover to Goslar: 91 km
Hamburg to Goslar: 234 km
Frankfurt to Goslar: 310 km
How To Get To Goslar
You can either drive to Goslar or take the train.
If you fly into Berlin Brandenburg Airport (formerly Schonefeld), you’re looking at a 4-hour journey by public transport, allowing for transfers, to Goslar.
It’s around a 3-hour one-way trip from Berlin to Goslar, usually involving one change. Trains depart Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Hbf on timetables), and you change at Braunschweig for the 50-minute journey to Goslar.
Alternatively, you can travel from Berlin to Goslar via Hannover, Wolfsburg, Hildesheim or Halle an der Saale.
The nearest airport to Goslar is Hannover, which is a medium-sized German airport flying mostly to European holiday destinations.
Leipzig Airport is around 175 km from Goslar, and you can get there in two and a half hours with just one change of train, at nearby Halle an der Saale.
The journey from Hamburg Airport takes up to 3 hours. You’d need to change at Hannover Hbf. Some journeys also require a change at Hamburg (Harburg).
How To Get Around Goslar
Once in Goslar, you’ll probably only need to use public transport to get to and from the Rammelsberg Ore Mines. The Altstadt – Old Town – is across the street from the station, and you could walk from one end of it to the other in 15 minutes.
The 803 World Heritage Bus runs from Goslar bus station – which is right outside the train station. It runs every half an hour – at 28 and 58 minutes past the hour. The stops of most use to tourists are Brusttuch (a 4-minute ride, a 2-minute walk from the main square), Kaiserpfalz (a 5-minute ride) and Bergbaumuseum (an 11-minute ride). The latter is the terminus, and the stop for the Rammelsberg Mine and Museum.
The 803 bus returns from the Bergbau Rammelsberg stop at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour.
Where To Stay In Goslar
There is a huge range of hotels in Goslar, many of which are in the Old Town. Many hotels are in cosy old medieval or Renaissance period houses, with all the modern facilities you would expect.
For somewhere in the centre of the Old Town, the GDA Hotel Schwiecheldthaus is a superb option. It’s just a few steps from the Marktplatz, with luxury apartments in a 16th-century townhouse.
The Romantik Hotel Alte Münze is another great choice in Goslar Old Town. It’s housed in two buildings – one old, one modern. The older part has some gorgeous atmospheric rooms with timber-beamed ceilings.
Just across the street from the Siemenshaus, the Altstadt Hotel zur Börse is one of the most beautiful buildings in Goslar. The exterior (pictured above) is wonderfully decorated, and the interior was renovated just three years ago. Many guests rate this hotel exceptional.
Dangers and Annoyances
I was surprised to find quite a crowd of unsavoury characters hanging around Goslar train station in the early evening. Several of them were drunk, shouting abuse (mainly at each other rather than at passers-by) and had dogs barking loudly at anyone who went near them.
Not a good advert for the town.
Things To Do In Goslar Germany – Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to what to do in Goslar. It’s a fantastic place to visit, with one of the most beautiful old towns in Germany. And there are a great many of those!
The one thing that struck me is that everything is very much geared towards German visitors. You’ll find people who speak excellent English everywhere you go. But there’s a lack of written information and guided tours in English. This is why I decided against visiting the Rammelsberg Mine when we went to Goslar – only guided tours in German were available when we were due in town. On a Saturday too. Far from ideal.
That said, I loved Goslar. If you enjoy the half-timbered architecture you see across much of Germany, you’ll love it too. I’m so impressed with Goslar that I’ve included it in my Germany Half-Timbered Towns Itinerary, along with nearby Wernigerode and Quedlinburg.
As Goslar is located a few hours from the main international airports in Germany, it makes sense to visit it as part of a trip to the Harz Mountains region. We stayed in Quedlinburg, a little over an hour away, famous for having more half-timbered houses than any other town in Germany.
For more information on this amazing town, check out my guide to the best Things To Do In Quedlinburg, and my companion article on the Most Beautiful Streets In Quedlinburg. Also take a look at my guide to the best Churches in Quedlinburg, including the church where Henry I – often referred to as the first King of Germany – is buried. Check out my article on the best things to do in Gernrode too – this enchanting village is home to one of the most magnificent churches in Germany, the 10th-century St Cyriakus Church.
I also strongly suggest visiting Wernigerode. The old town is smaller than that of Goslar or Quedlinburg, but brimming with life. There’s a fairytale castle on the hill, some great quirky museums and a fine Aviation Museum on the edge of town. It’s also the starting point for the superb Harz Steam Railway, especially if you intend to ascend the Brocken, the highest mountain in Northern Germany. Check out my article on the best things to do in Wernigerode for more information.
Goslar was in former West Germany, very close to the border with Communist East Germany. It’s one of the best places to visit in Germany, and also within reach of so many more.
Within Lower Saxony, the amazing Romanesque churches in Hildesheim are just 25 miles (40 km) away. Hannover is a little further away, and Bremen, an old favourite of mine and one of the most underrated cities in Europe, is just over 100 miles away.
It’s also possible to take a trip north and spend one day in Hamburg, though the northern port city deserves more time if you have it. Take a look at my Hamburg landmarks article for a comprehensive overview of the city’s main sights.
To the east, Goslar is relatively close to the River Elbe. Magdeburg – a regular stop on Elbe River cruises – is the obvious starting point. If you’re looking to explore the river further, my guide to the best places to visit on the river Elbe covers its entire length, from its source in the Czech Republic to its estuary on the North Sea.
But Goslar is within reach of plenty more of the best places to visit in eastern Germany, with Leipzig a little over two hours away. Check out my Germany Travel Guide for even more ideas.
David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times. David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.