Upper Harz Water Management
Hike through the Upper Harz water management system in Hahnenklee
World Heritage Day kicks off on June 6th in Hahnenklee: A varied hike around Hahnenklee leads you through the historic landscape of the Upper Harz Water Management System. Between dense forests, tranquil ponds, and ancient waterways, you'll discover how miners created an ingenious water system for the energy supply of the mines over centuries. Today, the route invites you to experience nature and history together, with peaceful paths, beautiful views, and numerous traces of this impressive feat of engineering in the heart of the Harz Mountains.
Location: Tourist Information, Rathausstraße 9, 38644 Goslar (Hahnenklee)
Time: 10:00 AM to approximately 2:00 PM
Admission: €2 (free for guests with a guest card)
Registration: Not required, except for groups
History Meets Modern Work at the Harz Waterworks Experience an impressive testament to the Upper Harz mining history at the Kaiser Wilhelm Shaft in Clausthal-Zellerfeld. The distinctive headframe – the winding tower above the shaft – and the historic engine house illustrate the technological developments of ore mining and offer insights into the working world of past centuries. In addition, the Harz Waterworks' current depot will open its doors: Here you will gain fascinating insights into the modern woodworking shop, where, among other things, components for the maintenance of the historic water management system are manufactured. The machinery used for the preservation and maintenance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Harz Water Management System will also be presented. This program highlight vividly connects industrial history with current practices and demonstrates how traditional knowledge and modern technology go hand in hand.
Location: Erzstraße 24, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: Not required
Geschichte trifft moderne Arbeitswelt der Harzwasserwerke
Erleben Sie am Kaiser-Wilhelm-Schacht in Clausthal-Zellerfeld ein beeindruckendes Zeugnis der Oberharzer Bergbaugeschichte. Der markante Gaipel – das Fördergerüst über dem Schacht – sowie das historische Maschinenhaus veranschaulichen die technischen Entwicklungen des Erzbergbaus und geben Einblicke in die Arbeitswelt vergangener Jahrhunderte.
Ergänzend öffnet der heutige Betriebshof der Harzwasserwerke seine Türen: Hier erhalten Sie spannende Einblicke in die moderne Holzwerkstatt, in der unter anderem Bauteile für die Pflege der historischen Wasserwirtschaft gefertigt werden. Zudem wird der Maschinenpark vorgestellt, der für den Erhalt und die Instandhaltung der UNESCO-Welterbestätte Oberharzer Wasserwirtschaft im Einsatz ist.
So verbindet dieser Programmpunkt auf anschauliche Weise Industriegeschichte mit heutiger Praxis und zeigt, wie traditionelles Wissen und moderne Technik Hand in Hand gehen.
Ort: Erzstraße 24, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Uhrzeit: 10 bis 17 Uhr
Eintritt: frei
Anmeldung: nicht erforderlich
Old Town of Goslar
Guided tour of the town hall including a visit to the World Heritage Information Centre
Immerse yourself in the history and significance of the World Heritage Site – right here on site. We invite you to an exclusive guided tour of the historic town hall. Goslar's historic town hall is one of the most important secular buildings of the Middle Ages in Germany. During a guided tour through its impressive halls and rooms, you will learn more about its over 500-year history as the political and social center of the city.
Afterwards, the Goslar World Heritage Information Center, located in the town hall, offers an engaging introduction to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the region. The exhibition provides a concise and accessible overview of what makes the World Heritage Site of the Rammelsberg Mine, the Old Town of Goslar, and the Upper Harz Water Management System so special – from the historic old town to the unique mining landscape of the Harz Mountains.
Location: Markt 1, 38640 Goslar (Meeting point in front of the atrium)
Time: 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Admission: €5
Registration: Advance tickets available at the Tourist Information Office or online
Emperors Barbarossa and Frederick II – champions of peace and understanding?
On June 7, World Heritage Day 2026 invites visitors to a special journey through time at the Imperial Palace in Goslar: at 10:00 a.m., Dagmar Mönnecke-Koroma will lead a tour through the Imperial Hall – and, fittingly for this year's theme, pose a question that is as compelling as it is relevant: "Emperors Barbarossa and Frederick II – Champions of Peace and Understanding?"
Against the impressive backdrop of monumental 19th-century murals, a vivid glimpse into the High Middle Ages unfolds, an era often misunderstood as the golden age of the Holy Roman Empire. The focus is on Frederick I Barbarossa and Frederick II – two rulers in a time marked by crusades, the rise of territorial lords, urban revolts, and the growing power of the papacy. The tour illustrates, through images and examples, how negotiations, diplomatic skill, and the will to compromise played a crucial role in securing peace. Who opted for confrontation, and who for understanding? And who deserves the title "Peace Emperor" of the Middle Ages?
Location: Imperial Palace
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: +49 5321 704 437 or Kaiserpfalz@goslar.de
(Kopie 25)
A ride on the miniature train through the World Heritage Site in Goslar
![pf5 [Translate to english:] Goslarer Bimmelbahn © Mike Kelling](/fileadmin/_processed_/c/b/csm_Goslarer_Bimmelbahn__c_Mike_Kelling_-_web__5181468dca.jpg "[Translate to english:] Goslarer Bimmelbahn © Mike Kelling")
On June 7th, the World Heritage Site of Goslar comes alive with a unique experience: The free miniature train connects the historic old town with the Rammelsberg World Heritage Site. During the ride, you'll gain fascinating insights into the city's history and mining heritage. Boarding is at the Market Church, with departures hourly. It's the perfect way to start your day exploring the old town and enjoy a relaxing trip to the Rammelsberg and back.
Departure point: Market Church, Goslar
Time: hourly, first ride 10.45 am, last ride 15.45 pm
Admission: Free
Registration: Not required
Rammelsberg
Participate, discover and do good
Under the motto "Do good and talk about it," the day is dedicated to volunteering, commitment, and community. Clubs and initiatives will have a platform to present their work and inspire visitors to get involved. A diverse program of activities for the whole family ensures an exciting day: Free rides on the historic steam locomotive "Fabian," the funicular railway at the mine, and a bouncy castle for younger guests make the visit a special experience. In the "Inventive Workshop," young and old explorers can discover the treasures of the Rammelsberg mine in a creative way.
A special highlight is the raffle for charity. The proceeds from ticket sales will go to Wunschliste e.V. and this year will support the "HarrGlück" project. The goal is to finance two wigs for children with cancer – made with the support of haare-spenden.de. Music, food, and drinks will be available on site. In addition, there is a free shuttle service through the World Heritage Site: The Goslar miniature train takes visitors comfortably through the World Heritage Site directly to the Rammelsberg Mine.
Location: Bergtal 19, 38640 Goslar
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: Not required
ZisterzienserMuseum Monastery Walkenried
“So close to heaven” – the medieval cloister in Walkenried Monastery
The cloister formed the heart of a medieval monastery complex: As a covered walkway, it connected the most important rooms of the cloister, fulfilling both sacred and practical functions and serving, in a sense, as the "main street" of the convent. Here, the monks' strictly regulated daily life unfolded. The Walkenried cloister – a masterpiece of Gothic architecture – is considered one of the most beautiful cloisters in Northern Germany.
A unique feature is its northern wing, the so-called reading gallery: It is a double-aisled structure, which has become a landmark of Walkenried. This distinctive architectural form was one of the criteria for its designation as a World Heritage Site. Join us on a journey through the monastery's history and discover the uniqueness of the Walkenried cloister and the beauty of Cistercian architecture.
Location: Cistercian Museum Walkenried Monastery, Steinweg 4a, 37445 Walkenried
Time: 12:00 and 15:15
Price: €4
Registration: at least 2 days in advance by calling +49 5525 9599064 or emailing info@kloster-walkenried.de
To celebrate UNESCO World Heritage Day, a full-day bus tour through the Upper Harz Water Management System invites you to discover one of Europe's most significant mining history systems. Starting in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, the route leads to impressive sites featuring ditches, ponds, tunnels, and mine shafts. Expert guides provide fascinating insights into the history, technology, and significance of this unique cultural landscape. Short walks and selected stations vividly illustrate the workings of the historic water management system. This creates a diverse and engaging introduction to a key component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Harz Mountains.
Start and finish: World Heritage Information Center Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Bornhardtstr. 14 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: €59/€55 reduced
Registration: info@oberharz.de or by phone at +49 5323 81024
