Ten years after my first visit to Quedlinburg, I traveled to Sachsen-Anhalt again in August 2019. I wanted to see not only the town of Quedlinburg but also other interesting places of this part of Germany. During my trip, I explored medieval churches and other structures from middle ages in Naumburg, Merseburg, Halberstadt, Gernrode, Magdeburg, and of course, in Quedlinburg. I must say that the region is stuffed by excellent pieces of architecture and of important history related to a broader area of Central Europe.

It was a pleasure to stroll in the streets of Quedlinburg with more than 1000 “fachwerk” houses. Though this type of houses is quite typical and abundant in central Germany and certain parts of France and England, Quedlinburg is a typical and fine example of its kind that fortunately survived to our days. The inscribed quarters with fachwerk-houses can be found not only in the old and new town, but also in the nearby Munzenberg hill and the part adjacent to the Castle Hill, in the so-called Finkenherd district. If I should compare, I liked historical streets of Goslar a little bit more than those in Quedlinburg. Further, as Goslar without Rammelsberg mines would be very nice but not unique, the same is true for Quedlinburg with respect to its castle hill. Climbing the rock where the castle is located and exploring St Servatius church were my highlights in Quedlinburg. PHOTO – view from the castle hill.

The inscribed area consists also of small isolated cluster: the church of St Wuperti with the crypt from 10t Century. One can reach it by short walk from the area between Munzenberg and Schlossberg. The church is surprisingly big, but very simple and almost pristine. The crypt is in contrast to the church quite small and somehow “primitive”, and the most impressive is its age.

Once one is in Quedlinburg, going to Gernrode is really worthy. I went by local bus that is for free if you are accommodated in the hotel and paid the town tax. Gernode is small spa town located on the slopes of Harz Mountains few kilometers from Quedlinburg. Besides the cuckoo-clock factory, it is famous for St Cyriakus church dating back to the 10th Century. The church is similar to St Michael in Hildesheim but it is older. During summer holidays, it is regularly opened to visitors for free but with quite steep fee of 5 EUR for taking photos in the interior. The church is very impressive, at least for somebody who likes St Michael in Hildesheim as I do! The Western part with apsida and two towers is iconic, but it is result of modifications of the original church in 12th Century. Another “younger” addition is the Holy Sepulchre in the side nave. It is mostly closed for visitors but exterior has beautiful decorations dated to year 1100.

Another interesting place nearby Quedlinburg is Halberstadt. It was heavily damaged during WWII, but the Cathedral, Liebfraukirche and St Martini church were reconstructed. Especially the cathedral is really impressive gothic structure.