Goslar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Goslar
Top: Rammelsberg Middle: City centre. Bottom: Kaiserpfalz
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Germany
State	Lower Saxony
District	Goslar
Elevation	255 m (837 ft)
Population  (2022-12-31)
• Total	50,203
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	38640, 38642, 38644
Dialling codes	05321, 05325
Vehicle registration	GS
Website	www.goslar.de

Goslar

UNESCO World Heritage Site
View to the North with the Hildesheim downs in the background. Photograph taken from the Maltermeister Tower
Part of	Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System
Criteria	Cultural: i, iv
Inscription	1992 (16th Session)
Extensions	2010
Area	363.3 ha
Buffer zone	376.1 ha

Goslar is a super old and important town in Germany, located in a region called Lower Saxony. It's nestled on the edge of the beautiful Harz mountains.

This historic town is famous for its more than 1,500 timber-framed houses and the ancient Mines of Rammelsberg. Both are so special that UNESCO has named them World Heritage Sites. This means they are important places for everyone in the world to know about and protect!

For over a thousand years, Goslar was a key center for mining valuable ores. It also played a big role in the Holy Roman Empire and the Hanseatic League, which was a powerful group of trading cities. Today, Goslar gives out the Kaiserring award to amazing international artists. Some people even call it the "Nobel Prize" of the art world!

Geography: Where is Goslar?

Goslar is right in the middle of northern Germany. It's about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Brunswick and 70 kilometers (43 miles) southeast of Hanover, the capital city of Lower Saxony.

The highest point in Goslar is the Schalke mountain, which is 762 meters (2,500 feet) tall. The lowest point is near the Oker river, at 175 meters (574 feet). Goslar sits right where the flat plains of northern Germany meet the Harz mountains. These plains are great for farming, especially for sugar beet.

Rivers and Forests in Goslar

The main rivers here are the Oker, with its smaller rivers like the Gose and Abzucht. The Gose river starts about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) southwest of Goslar. It joins the Abzucht before flowing into the Oker. You'll find lots of forests around Goslar, especially as you go south into the Harz mountains.

Neighboring Towns and Districts

Goslar is surrounded by several other towns and districts. Clockwise from the north, its neighbors are Liebenburg, Schladen-Werla, Osterwieck (in Saxony-Anhalt), Bad Harzburg, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, and Langelsheim.

Goslar's Town Districts

Goslar is made up of 18 different areas, called Stadtteile. These include the historic Old Town, areas near the Rammelsberg mines, and other neighborhoods like Sudmerberg and Jürgenohl. In 1972 and 2014, more villages joined Goslar, like Hahnenklee and Vienenburg.

Climate in Goslar

Goslar has a moderate climate. Summers are usually mild, and winters are cool.

History: Goslar's Long Story

Abzucht river in the Old Town

Goslar has a very long history, especially linked to mining. People were mining iron ore in the Harz region even during Roman times! The first mention of Goslar as a settlement was in 979. It likely already had a royal palace, called a Königspfalz.

The Rise of an Imperial City

Goslar became super important when lots of silver were found at the nearby Mines of Rammelsberg. Emperors like Henry II and Henry III loved staying in Goslar. Henry III even built the new Imperial Palace here and had the Goslar Cathedral built. His heart was buried in Goslar!

Under Emperor Henry IV, Goslar remained a key place. However, there were conflicts, especially about who controlled the rich silver mines. The people of Goslar often fought for their independence.

Becoming a Free Imperial City

As emperors spent less time in northern Germany, Goslar gained more freedom. By 1219, it had its own town council. In 1267, Goslar joined the Hanseatic League, a powerful group of trading cities. This helped Goslar become a "free imperial city," meaning it was directly under the emperor, not a local duke.

Challenges and Changes

In later centuries, Goslar faced tough times. There were conflicts with the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg over the mines. The Protestant Reformation also came to Goslar in the 1530s. The town joined the Schmalkaldic League to protect its independence, but it was a difficult period.

The Thirty Years' War in the 1600s hit Goslar hard, causing economic problems. The city was even occupied by Swedish forces for a few years. Despite these challenges, Goslar tried to stay loyal to the emperor.

Modern Times

Over time, Goslar's importance as an imperial city faded. In 1802, it became part of Prussia. Later, it joined the Kingdom of Hanover. Sadly, the old Goslar Cathedral was sold and torn down in the 1820s.

After 1866, Goslar was again under Prussian rule. The Hohenzollern emperors had the Imperial Palace restored, making it a symbol of its past glory.

During the 1930s, Goslar became a center for agricultural organizations under the Nazi government. Luckily, the historic town was not heavily damaged during World War II. After the war, Goslar was in the British occupation zone. It was also an important military town during the Cold War. The Rammelsberg mines finally closed in 1988 after over a thousand years of operation.

In 2018, a cool discovery was made: a bottled message from 1930 was found in the roof of the old Goslar Cathedral! It was signed by roofers who wrote about the tough economic times. The bottle was replaced with a copy and a new message from the mayor.

Population Changes

Here's how Goslar's population has changed over the years:

Population statistics

(count: December 31 of each year)

Twin Towns: Goslar's Friends Around the World

Goslar is connected with several towns around the world, like a big family! These "twin towns" help people from different countries learn about each other's cultures.

Culture and Sights: What to See and Do in Goslar

Goslar is full of interesting places and things to do!

War memorial 1870/1871 at barrack yard

War memorial 1914–1918 at Thomaswall

Medieval Imperial Palace (Kaiserpfalz)

The Zwinger tower and pond

Theatres in Goslar

• The Odeon Theatre is the main theatre in town. It hosts many plays and music shows.
• The Culture Power Station Harz (Kulturkraftwerk) is a cool alternative theatre. It's run by volunteers in an old power station and puts on modern plays and comedy.

Museums in Goslar

• Mines of Rammelsberg: This is a must-see! It's a museum and a visitor mine where you can learn all about the ancient mining history.
• Museum in the Kaiserpfalz: Explore the old imperial palace, which was rebuilt in the 1800s to look like it did in medieval times.
• Monks' House, Mönchehaus Museum: This museum shows off modern and contemporary art.
• Goslar Museum: Learn about the town's history and culture.
• Museum in the Gothic Town Hall: Discover the history of Goslar's government.
• Zwinger Tower and Dungeon: A museum about the late Middle Ages, located in an old tower.

Religious Buildings in Goslar

Goslar has many beautiful churches and places of worship.

The Frankenberg Church

Church: Neuwerkkirche from the Mauerstrasse

• Protestant-Lutheran Churches:
  • Marktkirche (Market Church), built in 1151. You can even climb its North Tower!
  • Neuwerk Church
  • St Stephani (Saint Stephen)
  • Zum Frankenberge (Frankenberg Church)
  • Gustav Adolf stave church in Hahnenklee (a unique wooden church)
• Roman Catholic Churches:
  • St Jakobi (St James the Greater), built in 1073, it's Goslar's oldest Romanesque church still in use.
  • Maria Schnee (St Mary of the Snows) in Hahnenklee
• Other Faiths:
  • Church of Christ (Baptist)
  • Mosque of the Turkish-German Society
  • Goslar Mosque

Sports and Outdoor Fun

Since Goslar is at the foot of the Harz mountains, there are lots of outdoor activities! You can go swimming, rock climbing, or mountain biking.

The oldest sports club is the MTV Goslar, founded in 1849. They have a football pitch and a gym. Goslar also has a football team, Goslarer SC 08, that has played in higher divisions.

Celebrations and Events

Goslar hosts many fun events throughout the year:

• Imperial Ring Award: Since 1975, Goslar gives this award to famous artists who have made a big difference in art and society. Past winners include Henry Moore and Christo.
• Goslar International Concerto Days: Enjoy classical music in mid to late August.
• The Goslar Fair: A lively fair held in early to mid-July.
• Annual Artisans Market: See and buy crafts from local artists, usually in early August.
• Old Town Festival: A big celebration of the town's history in mid-September.
• Hanseatic Days: Celebrated in spring, usually around the Easter holidays.

Panoramic view from the market church of Goslar

Economy and Infrastructure: How Goslar Works

Half-timbered houses on the river Gose

Hotel Kaiserworth

Goslar's town center is a great place to shop for people living in the Northern Harz region. You'll find stores, supermarkets, and restaurants. There's also a weekly market where farmers sell fresh local produce.

Tourism is a big part of Goslar's economy. Many hotels and bed and breakfasts welcome visitors. Goslar is also a popular place for conferences, with hotels like the Achtermann Hotel hosting large events.

The biggest employers in Goslar include a chemistry company called H.C. Starck, the tourism industry, and government jobs. Many people also travel to nearby Salzgitter for work in car production or steel.

Goslar has a hospital, the Dr-Herbert-Nieper-Krankenhaus, which serves the wider Harz region. There are also many doctors and dentists in town.

Transport: Getting Around Goslar

Goslar has great connections to other major cities in Europe by road and rail. It's also a key transport hub for exploring the Harz mountains.

• Roads: Two major highways, the A 7 and the A 395, are within 20 minutes of Goslar. The A 7 connects northern and southern Germany. The A 395 links Goslar to Brunswick.
• Trains: Goslar is served by the German Railway network. You can take trains to Hanover, Halle, and Brunswick. The main train station is close to the town center.
• Buses: There's a central bus station at the railway station. Buses regularly go to different places in the Harz mountains.

Media: News and Radio

The local newspaper is the Goslarsche Zeitung, read by many people every day. There are also free newspapers. Radio Okerwelle GoslarRadio is a local radio station that plays music and shares news for the Brunswick region.

Education: Schools and Learning

Goslar has a good education system, from primary schools to universities.

• Primary Schools: There are nine primary schools spread across the town.
• Grammar Schools: For older students (ages 10-18), there are two grammar schools, the Christian-von-Dohm-Gymnasium and the Ratsgymnasium. These schools prepare students for university.
• Intermediate and Vocational Schools: Other schools focus on preparing students for professional careers or offer vocational training.
• Waldorf School: There's also a Waldorf school that teaches students using a different, more artistic approach.
• Job-Training Colleges: For students aged 16-18, there are four colleges that offer job training in areas like crafts, business, and healthcare.
• Universities: The closest university is the Engineering and Mining School in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, about 21 kilometers (13 miles) south of Goslar. The famous University of Göttingen is also nearby.
• Adult Education: The Volkshochschule offers classes for adults who want to keep learning new things.

Notable People from Goslar

Many interesting people have lived in or been connected to Goslar throughout history!

Maurice de Saxe, ca1750

Ernst Jünger, Philipp Jenninger & Liselotte Jünger, 1986

Henning von Tresckow, 1944

• Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor (1050–1106): A powerful King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor, born in Goslar.
• Helmold (around 1120 – after 1177): A historian who wrote about Saxony.
• Siemens family: Goslar is the original home of this famous family, which includes industrial pioneers like Werner von Siemens who founded the Siemens company.
• Maurice de Saxe (1696–1750): A famous French military leader.
• Ernst Jünger (1895–1998): A German soldier and author who lived in Goslar for a few years.
• Henning von Tresckow (1901–1944): A German military officer who was part of a group that tried to stop Hitler. He was a student in Goslar.
• Sigmar Gabriel (born 1959): A well-known German politician who served as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Sports Stars from Goslar

• Ernst Pistulla (1906–1944): A boxer who won a silver medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• Angelika Dünhaupt (born 1946): A luger who won a bronze medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics.
• Aaron Hunt (born 1986): A professional football player.

See also

In Spanish: Goslar para niños