|
On our way to Harz, we stopped at the ruins of the church from "Alt Rhoden". The rest of a small village during the 17th century in the middle of Germany. Until today, only the rest of the church and some graves are available. The place is slightly unknown by tourists, green and peaceful. |
|
|
|
For our stay in Harz, we rented a small cottage in the middle of a forest, beside Clausthal-Zellerfeld. The houses are on the side of a small pond for bathing. Sadly, the weather was not so nice. Here are some impressions about. |
|
One of our first visits was Dora-Mittelbau, a concentration-camp during the 2nd world-war. Here several thousands of prisoners manufactured the first balistc rockets, called V2. These rockets were the base for the moon-rocket, later. The wellknown SATURN-5 rocket from the Americans. |
|
|
|
There is a famous emperor in the German history, the "Kaiser Barbarossa", a guy, who is waiting since centuries inside a mountain-area to return to rule over the Germans. This mountain is called the "Kyffhaeuser". Here is his memorial in history. |
|
At Sondershausen is the last Kali mining in production. Visitors are able to go down to -750m(!) to check and see a real mining production. The name of the Mine is Glueckauf! And of cause, we checked by our own eyes, what happens in the underground of Sondershausen! |
|
|
|
In former times, there was no electricity and for pumps and lifts in Harz, the miners used water. To store the water, they installed 132 ponds. From these Ponds (we called them: Oberharzer Teichregal) are still about 60 available. Nice for swimming, diving, walking! |
|
One of biggest ponds of the Oberharzer Teichregal is the Oderteich. The water from this pond supplied all the minings at Clausthal-Zellerfeld and Sankt Andreasberg. This pond was built in 1729 by the miners and is still supplying a small electricity-station, today! |
|
|
|
From Torfhaus, there is a free view to the highst point of the Harz: the Brocken. In former times, occupied by the office of security from the DDR, in our days free to walk on, or to use the Brocken-Train. Here is also a small Natural-Museum, the Harz-House. |
|
Schacht Knesebeck was one of the latest mines in Harz. Mining here was for SILVER !They closed the mine in 1992. Since 10 years is a group of private people responsible for this museum and arrange impressive guided tours for tourists! Of cause, we join! |
|
|
|
At the end of our summertrip: Shopping !!!The center of the town Wernigerode is wellknown for the townhall and houses in the old German style. We visit them all, during a sunny day and found an old steam-locomotive, finaly! |
|
Our last station before going home: the ruins of the Abbey of Walkenried. One of the richest abbeys, we had in the middle-century. After closing the remaining walls and bricks showing off the former size ... |
|
