Neudorf: Discover Mining History and Nature

Neudorf puts mining history and its tangible traces at the center: the historic circular trail, the iron-rich spring, Birnbaum Pond and the historical artifacts in the local history museum. The history of the village church is also one of the topics you can discover here. This gives you a way to distinguish between nature, mining heritage and architectural history when planning your trip.

Mining History on the Neudorf Circular Trail

The Neudorf Mining Heritage Circular Trail, around 15 kilometers long, traces more than 600 years of mining history in the Neudorf mining district. Its historical narrative is tied to a specific route: via the so-called Menschentrappe, hikers reach the highly iron-rich spring. The spring can be reached via the Neudorf Mining Heritage Circular Trail and provides a striking natural stop along the way.

The route thus connects two different aspects of the district: its long mining history and the iron-rich spring as a place along the trail. If you are interested in the history of mining, the circular trail offers a connected way to explore the subject, rather than discovering it only through individual buildings or collection items.

Birnbaum Pond and Local History

Birnbaum Pond also bears traces of mining history. In the 17th century, it was impounded as an important water reservoir for mining and is now a bathing lake. It therefore combines a historical function with its present-day use as a bathing lake. The pond adds the role water played in mining to the circular trail’s thematic focus.

The Neudorf local history museum offers another way to explore the village’s past. It preserves numerous historical artifacts relating to the history of the former mining village. The collection and the circular trail explore the subject in different ways: one through historical objects, the other through the route and its place in more than 600 years of mining history.

The history of the church building also dates back to the 19th century. The present-day St. Peter and Paul’s Church in Neudorf was built in 1888, replacing an earlier building that had been severely damaged by fire. Together with the local history museum and the mining heritage circular trail, it presents a picture that takes into account both the village’s former character and its architectural history.

More Highlights in the Wider Harzgerode Destination

The wider Harzgerode destination has further historical highlights to explore. Harzgerode Castle is a Renaissance building with a stair tower and a round tower. It was rebuilt between 1549 and 1552 and served as the residence of the Harzgerode branch of the House of Anhalt from 1635 to 1709. St. Mary’s Church in Harzgerode adds a different architectural note with its Baroque design, dating from 1697 to 1699. Köthener Hut, meanwhile, was built in 1897 as a shelter on Kapellenfelsen by the Köthen branch of the Harz Club.

Industrial history comes to life at the Carlswerk in Mägdesprung: mechanical processing machines from the first half of the 20th century have been preserved there in their original condition, along with a wooden crane dating from 1890. Lockers, workbenches and employees’ holiday postcards add to these artifacts, illustrating the work culture of the early industrial era. This expands the perspective on mining history in Neudorf to include another view of work and industry across the wider Harzgerode destination.

Harzgerode also offers nature and activities. The Harzgerode nature trail features a quiz, a barefoot path and a sound organ. At the HARZKUGELEUM in Harzgerode Castle, visitors follow a beechwood ball through various themed worlds. Through its shape and weight, the ball conveys information about the Lower Harz, mining, nature, and local and regional history through the ages. While the Neudorf circular trail focuses on the history of the Neudorf mining district, the HARZKUGELEUM brings together several topics in a playful way.

Discover more destinations: Siptenfelde, Schielo, Güntersberge, Dankerode, Alexisbad.

View the wider travel overview: Harzgerode.