UNESCO World Heritage Sites

A legacy of superlatives was the foundation of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention on the 16th November 1972.

Over 900 cultural and natural heritage sites around the world are listed as places of "exceptional importance" and have become part of the "heritage of all mankind." The Convention is a global declaration of peace, whose main objectives are to maintain the tradition of protecting and securing prominent places in the history of mankind and the world. To date more than 187 countries have accepted this agreement.

UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites are only admitted when they meet the criteria as "masterpieces of human creativity", "unique", "authentic" and off "outstanding universal value." It speaks off the Harz that three exceptional World Heritage Sites can be found within these mountains.

They exemplify the different facets of this amazing region: romantic little towns, mysterious mines, spiritual places and legendary mountains. Use the navigation on the left; to discover more comprehensive information about these three World Heritage Sites.

World Heritage in Goslar

Rammelsberg mine, Goslar old town and the Upper Harz Water Management System

The Rammelsberg mine is a unique monument to the history of mining. It is the only mine in the world that can demonstrate over 1,000 years of consistent ore mining.

Together with the imperial city of Goslar and the Upper Harz Water Management, the world’s largest and most important pre-industrial energy supply system, they present a fascinating triumvirate of technological and cultural history.

Rammelsberg mine Goslar old town Upper Harz Water Management UNESCO Heritage Info centre

Old Town of Quedlinburg

Collegiate Church and Castle

The 1000 year old town of Quedlinburg is located on the North Eastern edge of the Harz Mountains. The narrow streets with over 1300 half-timbered framed houses, villas from the Gründerzeit and Art Nouveau period and buildings with their Romanesque architecture, reveal a valuable insight into many centuries of culture and history.

The Collegiate Church of St. Servatius in Quedlinburg was marked by UNESCO as a "masterpiece of Romanesque architecture." It houses one of the most valuable church treasures of the Middle Ages. According to legend, this is the place where Henry l was invested with royal dignity, thus becoming the first king of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.

UNESCO describes the old town of Quedlinburg as an “extraordinary example of a medieval European town.” In the town centre there are around 800 houses that are designated as a single monument. Here the "Old Klopstock" can be found; a half-timber framed building, which takes its name from one of the illustrious sons of Quedlinburg, the poet Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock. Over a 90-acre area the centre of Quedlinburg reflects such architectural splendour from all styles and periods that it is considered the largest land monument in Germany.

To discover more about Quedlinburg and its historical sites, please look at our detailed description.

Lutherstadt Eisleben

Home of Martin Luther

Discover the birthplace and gain an insight into the background and early stages of the life of Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer who was born in Lutherstadt Eisleben in 1483.

The 1000-year old town of Lutherstadt Eisleben is the birthplace of Martin Luther and is surrounded by the gentle rolling hills of the Mansfelder Land in the Eastern foothills of the Harz Mountains.

The Luther Memorials in Eisleben have belonged to UNESCO World Heritage since 1996. They show a "significant stage of human history and as authentic locations of the Reformation of outstanding universal significance."

The house in Eisleben that Martin Luther was born in documents the chapters of his life and provides an insight into the origins and childhood of the Reformer. The social conditions which influenced Martin Luther’s childhood are presented in 13 rooms. The house were Martin Luther died was reopened in September 2012 as a museum and hosts a new exhibition. In the parish church of St Peter and Paul, the "Luther Font" preserves the memory of Luther's baptism, while in St. Andreas Church; Martin Luther held his last four sermons and led two pastors into their ministry. His body was laid out here, before it was transferred to the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

The "Luther Trail Eisleben" connects the Luther sites and churches in the city. On the last Sunday in August a joint public walk takes place here.

To discover more about Lutherstadt Eisleben and its historical sites, please look at our detailed description.

More historical sites in Lower Saxony and Saxony Anhalt

Fagus-Werk, Bauhaus Dessau, Gartenreich Dessau-Wörlitz, St. Michaelis, Mariendom und Domschatz in Hildesheim und die Luthergedenkstätten in der Lutherstadt Wittenberg