Sign in with FacebookHoher Weg 12, Goslar, Lower Saxony, 38640, Germany
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Frankenberger Plan with fountain
Market square and town hall
Ore from Rammelsberg
Goslar train station
Slate (Schiefer) is a typical stone of the Harz mountains. Its structure makes it break into thin tiles. Slate tiles are used for roofs, but also for covering the facades of half-timbered houses to protect them from rain and snow. A good slater knows to arrange the tiles in patterns and ornaments. Keep your eyes open and you'll see a lot of different decorations.
The Collegiate Church, the so-called "Dom", as religious centre was situated opposite of the worldly centre, the imperial palace. It was dedicated to St Simon and Juda, the town's patrons. The monastery became a protestant community with the reformation and was finally closed down in 1802. In 1819 the church was demolished, the area now serves as parking lot for tour buses and cars.
Only the vestibule is left of the Romanesque church. It now contains some pieces from the church, like the bronze imperial throne (now a copy, original inside the Kaiserpfalz).
The so-called Hall of Homage (Huldigungssaal) in the town hall was used for the meetings of the town council. Its interior was set up in 1505-1520 and mixes late gothic and renaissance style. It is an unique example of early 16th century painting.
All walls and the ceiling are covered with paintings on wood panels. The ceiling shows the life of virgin Mary, the wall panels Sibyls, the ancient prophetesses, medieval emperors, and contemporary people in the dress of rich citizens, maybe portraits of the donators, the mayor and members of the council? The alcove at the back side contains a little chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
This precious work of art is extremely delicate. After being closed to visitors entirely for a while, it can now be enjoyed again, but only through a glass window. The whole hall has been turned into a protected and air-conditioned clima chamber. The original can only be seen from the "visitor platform", which is in fact a small glass tunnel an adult person cannot even stand upright in. Of course one would like to go in and see the original closely, but on the other hand this is the only way to preserve it for future generations.
In the first room of the exhibition an accurate, though smaller reproduction of the hall has been erected. This model can be entered. In here, a multimedia presentation is shown that allows enjoying the details of the paintings and provides background explanations.
Taking photos of such a light-sensitive work of art is a no-no, so I have no picture here.
More, including a photo and a virtual tour, on www.goslar.de - click "sights", then click "Town hall and hall of homage" in the upcoming list.
Opening hours:
March 15 to November 2 and November 26 - December 31
Mon - Fri 11:00-15:00, Sat, Sun, holidays 10:00-16:00
Entrance fee: adults 3.50 €, children/Youth 1.50 €
This beautiful medieval town is probably the most popular tourist destination in the Western Harz and desverdly so.
This was the first destination on my overseas adventure in Europe and I still remember the feeling of being completely and utterly awestruck by this beautiful town. Have been back since but that first wonderful day is etched vividly in my memory....
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