Quedlinburg is not far from Goslar, and at first sight, has a lot in common with this neighbouring WHS (all those colourful buildings with timber frames). I stayed here for two nights in Hotel Zum Bär. This very authentic and well-recommended hotel is situated right in the heart of Quedlinburg’s medieval quarters. My room looked out on the medieval market square, a view that would make many non-Europeans plan a trip immediately.

Probably the best asset of Quedlinburg is its highly original medieval town plan. It all started around the Burgberg, where the administrative center attracted merchants and craftsmen. After that, the old and new towns developed to hold more and more people. When the area inside the city walls became too crowded, new settlements were developed outside the walls. These historical developments can still be easily followed when you walk in Quedlinburg’s streets.

Like the WHS in Bremen, Quedlinburg also has a Roland statue to commemorate its medieval city rights. This one is standing in front of the Rathaus (City Hall) too, and is said to be the second smallest in Germany.

The town is quite pleasant and has a number of things to see and do, however none of those really stand out. A half-day visit was enough for me. Quedlinburg’s value as a tourist destination would benefit from some more signposting and explanation signs I think. But maybe we should be happy that this isn’t a museum town yet. It still has its rough edges in the form of crumbling buildings, cheap shops and eateries in monumental locations (a Chinese ‘bistro’ that sells döner kebab!) and very unsightly modern structures (for example the nursing home you encounter when walking up to the Burgberg).