63 Kilometers
2 World Heritage Sites
Voyage to the Middle Ages
On this two-day tour, you will meet kings, strong women and a religious treasurer. You will also discover a valuable cathedral treasure that has only been back in Germany for a good 30 years. Follow in Martin Luther's footsteps in Eisleben and Mansfeld - and then get to know the 1,100-year-old World Heritage town of Quedlinburg with all its facets. This tour also takes you through the Harz foreland and the wild Harz Nature Park.
Little Martin Luther spent the first months of his life in Eisleben - the house where he was born has been a memorial since the 17th century. As an introduction to the world of the reformer, we recommend that you first visit this famous house and then, after spending around an hour and a half there, take a tour of the town on foot:
You walk from the birthplace to St. Petri-Pauli Church, where Luther was baptized and where you can still see the baptismal font. Then continue to St. Andrew's Church, where Luther preached shortly before his death. Finally, you reach the market square with the Luther statue. Luther's Death House is also right there. The entire walk takes about a quarter of an hour. You should also take an hour or two to visit the museum in Luther's Death House. The pall that covered Luther's body when it was transported from Eisleben to Wittenberg is particularly noteworthy. There is also a game here: Until the beginning of 2026, you can travel to the world at the time of the Peasants' War 500 years ago in the house where he died and, as a historical figure accompanying you as a character, make your own difficult decisions surrounding the events. The multimedia hands-on exhibition is called "1525! Uprising for justice". Followed by a lunch break on the market square.
The choice is yours: if you want to stay in the Luther universe, we recommend a trip to Mansfeld, to the Luther Parents' Home Museum, where Martin Luther's childhood comes to life. From Mansfeld Castle, you also have a magnificent view of the surrounding area. If you'd rather get out into nature, then drive about 20 minutes over to Süßer See. You can go swimming there and have dinner in the evening.
The evening hours are perfect for a 15-minute walk from the market in Eisleben along the Luther roses embedded in the ground to St. Anne's Church high above Lutherstadt. From there you can enjoy a magnificent view over the countryside. Afterwards, spend the night in Eisleben, for example in the historic ambience of the Hotel Graf von Mansfeld.
Special exhibition “1525! Uprising for justice”
Which side would you have been on if you had lived at the time of the Peasants' War? In 1525, peasants, burghers and miners rose up against social injustice and feudal oppression. The exhibition "1525! Uprising for Justice" sheds light on the dramatic events of that time in Eisleben and Mansfeld. In Eisleben, you can experience this exciting time in the form of a multimedia hands-on exhibition. As a historical figure, you are right in the middle of it all and make decisions from the respective perspective. In Mansfeld, the Peasants' Wars are explained to younger visitors: oversized comics and interactive hands-on stations make the reality of life during the Peasants' War period close and tangible. The special exhibition will be on display at both locations until January 2026.
Luther's Parent's Home - Childhood years in Mansfeld
Although Luther's Parent's Home in nearby Mansfeld is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is nevertheless important for understanding Martin Luther. He spent his childhood there. The museum is therefore also part of the Luther Memorials Foundation in Saxony-Anhalt. With the exhibition "I am a Mansfeld Child", the parental home is the only place in the world dedicated to Luther's childhood. Every year on the first Saturday after Easter, Luther's school enrolment is re-enacted and celebrated in Mansfeld. Another place of interest is St. George's Church, where the young Luther was an altar boy. The Luther painting in the church shows the reformer in full regalia and is the only full-length portrait of Luther.h
Luther's Birthday
On Luther's birthday, November 10, special guided tours, festive church services and fascinating exhibitions await you in Eisleben every year.
Luther Trail
Pilgrimage, hike, experience churches and tourist attractions on the Luther Trail: in Saxony-Anhalt, it runs for 450 kilometers between the Luther towns of Wittenberg and Eisleben and directly on to Mansfeld. The route from Eisleben to Mansfeld is just under 25 kilometers long. The Luther Trail connects the places where Martin Luther worked and leads to over 20 places associated with the Reformation. The signposting: a green L on a white background.
St. Marien zu Helfta
Nuns have been living in the ancient Cistercian convent in Eisleben again since 1999. There is a guest house offering courses and a small manufactory where spirits and fine soaps are produced.
Eisleben Wiesenmarkt
The biggest fair in Central Germany takes place every 3rd weekend in September and dates back to Emperor Charles V's authorization to hold a cattle and oxen market in 1521.
Mansfeld Castle
The small town of Mansfeld at your feet, the gently rolling hills of the Harz foreland in the distance: even little Martin Luther knew this view. He spent his childhood in Mansfeld and later preached in the church at Mansfeld Castle. Today, the building is an event venue and youth hostel.
Süßer See
Fancy cooling off? Süßer See is located between orchards and the mountain slopes in Mansfeld Land. It is up to one kilometer wide and even offers ideal conditions for surfing and sailing. There is a snack bar on the northern shore. If you prefer something more chic, you can stop off at the Orangerie Seeburg restaurant.
Oberwiederstedt Castle
The mining expert and lawyer Georg Philipp Friedrich von Hardenberg, who called himself the poet Novalis, was born here on May 2, 1772.
A small museum commemorates him.
It will take you just under an hour by car from Eisleben to Quedlinburg. The best way to start your journey into the Middle Ages is with the two-hour World Heritage tour, which takes you through the beautiful old town of Quedlinburg up to the Schlossberg. 2069 half-timbered houses from 8 centuries make the town on the edge of the Harz Mountains a symbol of a German medieval town. For several centuries, the town was one of the most important royal and imperial palaces and a rich trading town. At the top of the Stiftsberg, you will also find the spiritual heart of Quedlinburg, the collegiate church of St. Servatii with its famous cathedral treasure. Take around 2 hours to marvel at the gems from over 1,000 years of church history. The adjoining residence building is currently being renovated, but the view from the outside and not least from the Stiftsberg down to the World Heritage city is still worthwhile. Followed by a lunch break in one of the many restaurants in the old town.
You have the choice: either take part in a public guided tour of the historic Renaissance town hall (Monday, Thursday, Friday at 1 p.m.) or go for a walk and explore Brühlpark and the Abteigarten as well as Münzenberg with the Romanesque monastery church of St. Marien. If you are looking for a break in nature, the Klopstockgarten or the Wordgarten are perfect places to visit. In between, you should definitely try the local cheesecake, a specialty of the city.
Travel home or visit the Nordharzer Städtebundtheater.
The special charm of half-timbered monuments are best experienced by a stay here: Romantik Hotel am Brühl, Hotel Theophano, Hotel garni Maria Aurora or at "Ferien im Denkmal".
Tour of the World Heritage Site
If you are visiting Quedlinburg for the first time, this public tour will help you to better understand the history, architecture and life in the 1,100-year-old town. Daily at 11 am, during the summer months also at 2 pm.
In the Footsteps of Women
Did you know that Quedlinburg was ruled by women for 800 years? The city tour “Quedlinburger Frauen schreiben Geschichte” (Quedlinburg Women Make History) takes you and your friends on a journey through time and introduces you to the impressive women of that time. Dorothea Christiane Erxleben, for example, the first female German doctor with a doctorate, who was allowed to study in 1754 and lived and worked in Quedlinburg. (in German only)
Cathedral Treasure
The Quedlinburg Cathedral Treasure is one of the most important medieval art collections in Germany. And there is an exciting story of theft surrounding it, which is closely linked to the Second World War. The treasure, which has been back in Germany since 1992, includes precious reliquaries, liturgical objects and manuscripts dating back to the 9th century. Particularly noteworthy are the precious Samuhel Gospels and the so-called Heinrichskamm. These treasures reflect Quedlinburg's rich history and cultural influence as a center of spiritual power. A visit offers unique insights into medieval art and history. Guests up to the age of 18 receive free admission.
Holidays in a Monument
Spend the night in unique rooms such as "Mathilde" and "Otto" in a lovingly restored half-timbered house in Quedlinburg.
Romantik Hotel am Brühl
Founded as a seed farm - now a listed half-timbered building. Enjoy the romantic atmosphere in this stylish Quedlinburg hotel. Highlight: the hotel garden and the rustic wine bar.
Café zum Roland, Quedlinburg
Seven interconnected half-timbered houses form a cozy café. The ideal place for a break with regional specialties. There are 60 different cake and pastry variations on the menu.
Kaiser Pancake Café
Stop for coffee and cake at an important historical site. More than 1,100 years ago, Duke Henry of Saxony was crowned king here. The sandpit and chickens in the backyard are particularly fun for children. Be sure to try the pancake, the house specialty that gives the place its name.
Harz Narrow-Gauge Railway
The Harz narrow-gauge railroad has been connecting Wernigerode, Quedlinburg, Nordhausen and the Brocken for over 125 years. Steam-powered trains travel through dense forests, past rocky cliffs and offer impressive views of the Harz Mountains. The railroad is a technical monument and one of the last of its kind in Germany to be in regular use. The narrow-gauge railroad season runs from the end of April to the beginning of November.
Suspension Bridge over the Dam in Blankenburg with Zipline
Have you ever flown through the air at 85 kilometers per hour? Adrenaline fans will get their money's worth at the Rappbode Dam. The providers of Harzdrenalin provide thrills and records here with their zipline and suspension bridge. At 458 meters, the Titan RT bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge of its kind.
Quedlinburg Eco Garden
You can discover the regional flora and fauna in the Quedlinburg eco-garden. Various biotopes, including a pond, herb beds and orchards, have been created on the approximately 15,000 square meter site. The garden is not just for recreation, but also for environmental education. Here you can learn about the importance of preserving diversity and experience nature up close.
Quedlinburg Growers' Trail
Did you know that Quedlinburg has been known for its seed breeding since the 19th century? The Quedlinburg Breeders' Trail guides visitors through this rich history. Along the trail, you will learn interesting facts about plant breeding and the importance of Quedlinburg as a center for seed production. Information boards and historical sites illustrate the development of breeding methods and their influence on agriculture worldwide. The ten information stations along the trail start at Carl-Ritter-Platz.
Harztheater
Two venues, great program: the Harztheater is something like the cultural heart of the Harz region. It emerged from the merger of the Quedlinburg Municipal Theater and the Halberstadt Volkstheater. Here you will find a varied program ranging from classical music to modern productions. The theater is known for its high artistic quality and has venues in Quedlinburg and Halberstadt.
Lyonel Feininger Museum
In the footsteps of a Bauhaus master: the museum has one of the world's largest collections of prints by the German-American artist Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956). Works from the collection of Hermann Klump from Quedlinburg, who himself studied at the Bauhaus in Dessau, are on display. The permanent exhibition is exciting and multimedia-based, with regular special exhibitions.
In Eisleben, it is best to leave your car at the hotel - or park it for a fee and then walk all the way.
In Quedlinburg, you will find parking facilities along the city ring road, from where you can reach the historic center in just a few minutes on foot. There is a ban on parking in the city center.
It is about a 15-minute walk from the train station in Eisleben to the Luther's Birth Place and 20 minutes to Luther's Death House.
It is also about a 20-minute walk from the train station in Quedlinburg to St. Servatius collegiate church.
