Clockwise from top:Imperial Palace of Goslar, theSiemenshaus, Market church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian,Rammelsberg, half-timbered houses in the Old Town and the market square with the old town hall and theKaiserworth
Goslar is situated in the middle of the upper half of Germany, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south ofBrunswick and about 70 km (43 mi) southeast of the state capital,Hanover. TheSchalke mountain is the highest elevation within the municipal boundaries at 762 metres (2,500 feet). The lowest point of 175 m (574 ft) is near theOker river. Geographically, Goslar forms the boundary between theHildesheim Börde which is part of theNorthern German Plain, and the Harz range, which is the highest, northernmost extension of Germany'sCentral Uplands. The Hildesheim Börde is characterised byplains with richclay soils – usedagriculturally forsugar beet farming – interlaced with several hill ranges commonly known as theHildesheim Forest andSalzgitter Hills. In the northeast theHarly Forest stretches down to the River Oker, in the east, Goslar borders on the German state ofSaxony-Anhalt.
Immediately to the south the Harz range rises above the historic borough at a height of 636 m (2,087 ft) at MtRammelsberg. Extended forests dominate the landscape. The major rivers crossing the municipal boundaries are the Oker with itsGose/Abzucht andRadau tributaries. The eponymic River Gose originates approximately 9 kilometres (6 miles) south-west of Goslar at the Auerhahn Pass (638 m (2,093 ft)) east of theBocksberg mountain. At the northern foot of the Herzberg (632 m (2,073 ft)) it meets the smaller Abzucht before it flows into the Oker. The Dörpke andGelmke also flow from the Harz foothills to the south into the Goslar municipal area, where they discharge into the Abzucht.
Abzucht river in the Old Town, showing a watermill (2022)
Iron ore mining has been common in the Harz region sinceRoman times; the earliest known evidence for quarrying and smelting is from the 3rd century AD. Ancient burial objects made of Harz ore have even been discovered during excavations in England. The settlement on the Gose creek was first mentioned in a 979 deed issued by EmperorOtto II; it was located in theSaxon homelands of theOttonian dynasty and probably aroyal palace (Königspfalz) already existed at the site. It became even more important when extensivesilver deposits were discovered at the nearbyRammelsberg, today a mining museum. The name'stoponymy probably comes shortened from "Goselager", of the stream "Gose" on the northern edge of theHarz Mountains, andLager.
When Otto's descendantHenry II began to convene Imperialsynods at the Goslar palace in 1009, Goslar gradually replaced theRoyal palace of Werla as a central place of assembly in the Saxon lands, a development that was again enforced by theSalian (Franconian) emperors.Conrad II, once electedKing of the Romans, celebrated Christmas 1024 in Goslar and had the foundations laid for the newImperial Palace (Kaiserpfalz Goslar) the next year.
Goslar became the favourite residence of Conrad's sonHenry III, who stayed at the palace about twenty times. Here he received KingPeter of Hungary as well as the emissaries of PrinceYaroslav of Kiev and here he appointed bishops and dukes. His son and successorHenry IV was born here on 11 November 1050. Henry also hadGoslar Cathedral erected and consecrated by ArchbishopHerman of Cologne in 1051. Shortly before his death in 1056 Emperor Henry III metPope Victor II in the church, emphasizing the union of secular and ecclesiastical power. His heart was buried in Goslar, his body in the Salian family vault inSpeyer Cathedral. Of the cathedral only the northern porch survived; the main building was torn down in the early 19th century.
Under Henry IV Goslar remained a centre of Imperial rule. However conflicts intensified such as in the violentPrecedence Dispute at Pentecost 1063. While Henry aimed at securing the enormous wealth deriving from the Rammlesberg silver mines as a royaldemesne, the dissatisfaction of local nobles escalated with theSaxon revolt 1073–1075. In the subsequentSaxon revolt of 1077–1088 the Goslar citizens sided with anti-kingRudolf of Rheinfelden, who held a princely assembly here in 1077, and withHermann of Salm, who was crowned king in Goslar by ArchbishopSiegfried of Mainz on 26 December 1081, giving Goslar the status of anImperial City.
In Spring 1105Henry V convened the Saxon estates at Goslar to gain support for the deposition of his father, Henry IV. Elected king in the following year, he held sixImperial Diets at the Goslar Palace during his rule. The tradition was adopted by his successorLothair II and even by theHohenstaufen rulersConrad III andFrederick Barbarossa. After his election in 1152, King Frederick appointed theWelf dukeHenry the Lion ImperialVogt (bailiff) of the Goslar mines; nevertheless, the dissatisfied duke besieged the town and at an 1173 meeting inChiavenna demanded his enfeoffment with the estates in turn for his support on Barbarossa'sItalian campaigns. When Henry the Lion was finally declared deposed in 1180, he had the Rammelsberg mines devastated.
Goslar's importance as an Imperial residence began to decline under the rule of Barbarossa's descendants. During theGerman throne dispute the Welf kingOtto IV laid siege to the town in 1198 but had to yield to the forces of his Hohenstaufen rivalPhilip of Swabia. Goslar was again stormed and plundered by Otto's troops in 1206.Frederick II held the last Imperial Diet here; with the GreatInterregnum upon his death in 1250, Goslar's Imperial era ended.
While the Emperors withdraw from Northern Germany, civil liberties in Goslar were strengthened.Market rights date back to 1025 and a municipal council (Rat) was first mentioned in 1219. The citizens strove for control of the Rammelsberg silver mines and in 1267 joined theHanseatic League. Besidesmining in the Upper Harz, commerce and trade inGose beer, later also slate and vitriol, became important. By 1290 the council had obtainedVogt rights, confirming Goslar's status as afree imperial city. In 1340 its citizens were vested withHeerschild rights by EmperorLouis the Bavarian. The Goslartown law set an example for numerous other municipalities, like the Goslarmining law codified in 1359.
Early modern times saw both a mining boom and rising conflicts with the WelfDukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg, mainly with PrinceHenry V of Wolfenbüttel who seized the Rammelsberg mines and extended Harz forests in 1527. Though a complaint was successfully lodged with theReichskammergericht by the Goslar citizens, a subsequent gruelling feud with the duke lasted for decades. Goslar was temporarily placed underImperial ban, while theProtestant Reformation was introduced in the city by theologianNicolaus von Amsdorf who issued a first church constitution in 1531. To assert independence, the citizens in 1536 joined theSchmalkaldic League against the Catholic policies of theHabsburg emperorCharles V. The Schmalkaldic forces indeed occupied the Wolfenbüttel lands of Henry V, however, when they were defeated by Imperial forces at the 1547Battle of Mühlberg, the Welf duke continued his reprisals.
In 1577 the Goslar citizens signed the LutheranFormula of Concord. After years of continued skirmishes, they finally had to grant Duke Henry and his sonJulius extensive mining rights which ultimately edged out the city council. Nevertheless, several attempts by the Brunswick dukes to incorporate the Imperial city were rejected. Goslar and its economy was hit hard by theThirty Years' War, mainly by theKipper und Wipper financial crisis in the 1620s which led to several revolts and pogroms. Facing renewed aggressions by DukeChristian the Younger of Brunswick, the citizens sought support from the Imperial military leadersTilly andWallenstein. The city was occupied by theSwedish forces of KingGustavus Adolphus from 1632 to 1635; in 1642 a peace agreement was reached between EmperorFerdinand III and the Brunswick dukeAugustus the Younger. The hopes of the Goslar citizens to regain the Rammelsberg mines were not fulfilled.
Goslar remained loyal to the Imperial authority, solemnly celebrating each accession of a Holy Roman Emperor. While strongly referring to its great medieval traditions, the city continuously decreased in importance and got into rising indebtedness. WhenJohann Wolfgang von Goethe stayed at Goslar in 1777, he called it "an Imperial city rotted in and with its privileges". In the winter of 1798, the coldest of the century, the young English poetWilliam Wordsworth stayed in the city. To dispel homesickness he started to write a few verses about his childhood, which would eventually evolve into the masterpiece that was published in 13 volumes after his death asThe Prelude.[7]
In the summer of 2018 a bottled typewritten message dated 26 March 1930 was discovered in the roof ofGoslar Cathedral, signed by four roofers, who bemoaned the economic state of the country.[8] The bottle was discovered by a roofer who turned out to be the grandson of one of the signatories, who had been an 18-year-old apprentice in 1930.[8] Goslar's mayor replaced the bottle with a copy of the 1930 message, adding his own confidential message.[8]
Goslar's Medieval Imperial EagleDoor knocker with the name Brunswick Horse on the front door of ahalf-timbered house dating from the year 1719 in the centre of Goslar
TheOdeon Theatre is the town's major theatre. It has been recently refurbished. It is host to several productions of visiting theatre companies and music groups.[citation needed]
The alternative theatreCulture Power Station Harz orKulturkraftwerk Harz is housed in a disused power station. It is run by volunteers and produces modern theatre, comedy and mostly alternative cultural events. Here the annual Goslar Fringe Culture Days are held during the first half of June.[citation needed]
Situated at the foot of the Harz mountains, Goslar offers a range of outdoor pursuits including swimming, rock climbing, motor sports, flying, sailing and mountain-biking.
The oldest and most traditional sports club is theMTV Goslar (founded in 1849). Its main facilities, a football pitch and gymnasium, are Lon the Golden Meadow (Goldene Aue) site.
In 2006 Goslar hosted the Salier Year to celebrate the founding of this ancient German Imperial dynasty a millennium ago.
Other events include:
Annual award (since 1975) of the ‘Imperial Ring’ to a personality who has made an outstanding contribution to society and the arts. Its recipients includeHenry Moore,Joseph Beuys,Christo andDani Karavan.
Goslar International Concerto Days, mid to end August
The Goslar Fair, early to mid July
Annual Artisans market in the old town, usually beginning of August
Old Town Festival, mid-September
Hanseatic Days, Spring (usually during theEaster holidays)
Half-timbered houses on the river GoseHotel Kaiserworth
The town centre of Goslar serves as a regional shopping centre for the Northern Harz region. Here department stores, several supermarkets, elegant boutiques and restaurants can be found. Once weekly there is also a market, where farmers sell their local produce. There are also several car dealerships in the borough, some of which specialise in either discount/reimport or custom car sales.
Tourism is a booming sector in Goslar. Several hotels and bed and breakfasts are located in or near the centre of the town. In addition the town has become a popular resort for the elderly and there are many care homes in the town.
Goslar has become a popular conference venue. TheAchtermann Hotel and theKaiserpfalz are popular conference centres, host to the annual German Road & Transport Tribunal Days: theDeutscher Verkehrsgerichtstag
The largest employers in Goslar are H.C. Starck (chemistry company), tourism and the civil service. Many residents of Goslar commute toSalzgitter, where car production, steel works and white-collar jobs are based.
TheDr-Herbert-Nieper-Krankenhaus is a privately owned hospital in theAsklepios Harzkliniken group serving the greater Harz region. A new annex for intensitive medicine is under construction. There are several general practitioners, dentists and specialists distributed across the town. There is an emergency service.
Goslar has excellent road and rail links to the major European centre of population. Goslar is also a major transport hub for the Upper Harz mountains (highest peak at 1,141 m (3,744 ft) altitude).
With theA 7 and theA 395 there are two mainAutobahns/motorways within 20 minutes of Goslar.The A 7 connectsHamburg/Hanover in the North toFrankfurt/Munich in the South. The A 395 branches off the main east-west Autobahn A 2 atBrunswick and ends atVienenburg, some 12 km (7 mi) east of Goslar. The A 2 connectsBerlin – to the East – to theRuhr Area and theNetherlands in the West. The Federal highwaysB 6 andB 82 converge at Goslar and are routed via the four-lane by-pass past the town centre. The B 6 is mostly four laned and approaches Goslar via the scenicHildesheim–Salzgitter route.
Goslar is served by the German Railway network (Deutsche Bahn) lines Hanover–Goslar–Halle (Saxony-Anhalt) as well as Brunswick–Goslar–Kreiensen. The central railway station is near the town centre. There is apark-and-ride system for commuters to Brunswick and Hanover.
At the railway station there is a central bus station with regular bus services to various destinations in theHarz mountains. The buses belong to DB Stadtverkehr.
The regional newspaper is theGoslarsche Zeitung, which has an estimated daily readership of 90,000. TheGeneral-Anzeiger is owned by the Heinrich Bauer publishing group with an editorial office in Goslar. There are also two free newspapers..
Radio Okerwelle GoslarRadio is the regional private radio station based inBrunswick, which broadcasts modern music, information and news in German to the Brunswick region.
The three-tier education system in Goslar district falls under Lower-Saxon legislation. The language of instruction at all schools is German. The nine primary schools are distributed across the entire municipality and the associated hamlets. There are two grammar schools (years 5-12/13), the Christian-von-Dohm-Gymnasium and the more traditional Ratsgymnasium, both of which prepare their pupils for an academic career. Three intermediate-level schools (years 5–10), the Andre-Mouton Realschule, the Realschule Hoher Weg and the Realschule Goldene Aue, prepare their pupils for a professional career. There are also two vocational schools (years 5-9/10): the Hauptschule Oker and the Hauptschule Kaiserpfalz. The Sonderschule caters for children with learning difficulties and special needs.
The supplementarypublic Waldorf school Harz – Branch Goslar educates its pupils along a more spiritual line termedanthroposophy, based on the teachings of the Austrian pedagogueRudolf Steiner.
For years 10–12 there are four job-training colleges located at Goslar in crafts, economics and care for the elderly for students from Goslar district and beyond. There are two statevocational schools offering part-time education within the German dualvocational education and training system and full-time education.[14] BBS 1 Goslar -Am Stadtgarten- focuses on education in business administration, economics, health services andinformation and communications technology (ICT).[15] BBS Goslar-Baßgeige/Seesen concentrates on mechanical, electrical and textile engineering; natural sciences: chemistry, physics, biology; food services, domestic science and industry and administration.[16]
Ernst Jünger (1895–1998), German soldier (recipient of thePour le Mérite decoration in WWI) and author, lived in Goslar from December 1933 to 1936.
Hans Colbitz (1899–1972), artist, painter, teacher at Albrecht-Duerer-Oberrealschule in Berlin-Neukoelln[21]
Henning von Tresckow (1901–1944), German military officer and leading anti-Hitler conspirator, was a student at the Goslar Realgymnasium from 1913 until 1917.
1 until 1648.2 until 1701.3 from 1648.4 until 1731.5 until 1705.6 until 1596.7 from 1708.8 until 1773.9 until 1640.10 until 1695.11 from 1701.12 until 1734.
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