Quedlingburg – The town of 1200 half-timbered houses
This town, spared from bombing during the second world war, was recognized even during the East-German socialist era for its cultural-historic value. This has resulted in its near perfect preservation. In the town you will find half-timbered houses from all eras, and magnificent art nouveau architecture. The market square with its renaissance town hall and Roland statue is well worth visiting. Quedlinburg Castle looms over the town from its raised location and now houses a museum.
Quedlinburg is Germany´s largest half-timbered historical site and has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Chapel, Castle Museum and Cathedral Treasure
The renaissance castle, built between the 16th and 17th century, now houses a museum, which retells interesting stories from the history of Quedlinburg and its former local imperial palace. Since the castle has been extensively restored over the previous years, you can experience for yourself the grand culture of living that was enjoyed in the castle in the 17th century. The most noticeable and visible part of the Quedlinburg castle is the St. Servatius collegiate Church. This building in the royal palace used to be the chapel of Heinrich I, and can also be accessed from the museum.
Market Square
The Quedlinburg market square is only a two-minute walk from the holiday residence Schlossblick. The market square is the venue for many events and markets. Throughout the year, local tradesmen can be seen here selling their goods and annually the Quedlinburg Christmas market is held in this square. The market square is flanked by both the town hall built in 1310 and the renaissance portal that dates from 1616. The publicly accessible banquet hall, completed in 1901, is particularly worth a visit.
The Quedlinburg Roland statue is the second smallest Roland in Germany. The statue has stood at its rightful place next to the town hall since 1896; the preceding statue was destroyed in 1477.
Kloppstock-Museum
At the foot of the castle hill, lies the house where the poet Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock was born. The town house, built around 1560, has two stories and a bay window supported by two pillars. It was owned by the Klopstock family between the years 1702 and 1817.
In the year 1899, the town of Quedlinburg took the house into possession and opened it as an initiative of the Klopstock association as a memorial museum.
After extensive restoration in 1999, the Klopstock-House is once again open to interested visitors. On display are exhibits about Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock and other Quedlinburg personalities, including Guts Muths and Carl Ritter.
Ständerbau
The Ständer House is one of the oldest half-timbered houses in Germany and is the oldest surviving building in Quedlinburg. It was built in 1310 and remained inhabited until 1965. The building today, also houses a museum, in which the history of the half-timbered building between the 14th and 19th centuries is preserved.
Guided Tours
Discover eight centuries worth of half-timbered architecture as you wander through the rough cobbled and picturesque alleys, marvel at the famous Romanic churches, or simply go through “Hell”, one of the oldest courtyards in Quedlinburg.
No matter the season you will enjoy the special atmosphere of this medieval town.