Halberstadt

A town in the northern foothills of the Harz Mountains of central Germany, Halberstadt is known as The Gateway to the Harz Mountains and retains many important historic buildings.

Understand
Halberstadt, a town of about 50,000 people, is only a few minutes by car from the mountains, and travellers are welcomed from afar by the impressive towers of the 1200-year-old Bishop's Seat. The town was severely damaged in World War II, but retains many important historic buildings and much of its ancient townscape. Notable places in Halberstadt include the Liebfrauenkirche and St. Stephen Cathedral, churches built in the 12th and 13th centuries, respectively. Halberstadt is the site of the first documented large, permanent pipe organ installation in 1361. The cathedral is notable among those in northern European towns in having retained its medieval treasury in virtually complete condition. Among its treasures are the oldest surviving tapestries in Europe, dating from the 12th century.

By plane
The closest airports with international flights are Leipzig/Halle near Schkeuditz and Hanover Airport. Both airports are connected to their respective towns by S-Bahn and from there you can take regional trains to Halberstadt; for Hanover change in Goslar and for Leipzig/Halle change in Halle. Leipzig Halle Airport is also served by some long distance trains, enabling a change in Magdeburg

By train
There are frequent daily direct connections to Magdeburg approximately 40 minutes, Halle approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and Hanover approximately 2 hours. Trains can be booked via the DB website.

By road
Halberstadt is served by the B79 and the B81 which provide access from all directions and lead to the main regional road B6 to the south. The B6 in turn, leads north west to the A395 and Braunschweig, or east to the A14 which goes north towards Magdeburg or south to Halle and Leipzig.

By tram

 * Halberstadt has around 9.5 km of tram track which form two tram routes around town. These trams can be accessed from any one of around 30 tram stops and used to travel around the area for a small charge.Timetables.

TIP: The www.insa.de HarzTourCard enables you to travel by bus, train and narrow gauge train (only Schierke–Brocken) as much as you like within three days. It costs €18, family: €34.50 from the local tourist information or website.

By bus

 * Halberstadt has 5 bus routes which cover the whole area and are available for use by visitors and locals alike for a small charge. Timetable and prices also at the above website.

Places of worship




General
Halberstadt town centre has the normal array of shops expected in a town of this size. C&A, indoor shopping malls, clothes shops like New Yorker and Orsay and electronic shops.



Connect
For Wi-Fi and internet please visit Harzer Kaffeehaus Löper, Trillgasse 2.

Many of the hotels and guest houses offer internet or Wi-Fi access.

Go next

 * Blankenburg is a town and health resort in the district of Harz
 * Braunlage is a health resort and one of the centres for winter activities in Harz.
 * Goslar Street after street of beautifully-carved, half-timbered houses, in fact, this town has the largest number of old houses in Germany, 1800 of them!
 * Quedlinburg charming medieval city in the Harz mountains with elaborately restored half-timbered houses
 * Schierke is a popular place to start or finish a walk to the Brocken mountain via the Goetheweg or the Glashüttenweg.
 * Stolberg is an ex-mining community with buildings going back to the 8th century
 * Thale in a strikingly beautiful river gorge. There are miles of wonderful hiking trails starting from the town.
 * Wernigerode' in the Harz foothills' has half-timbered houses, a castle, and a steam-powered narrow-gauge railroad that will take you to the Brocken