Goslar

Map of Germany showing Goslar

Goslar is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Goslar and located on the northwestern slopes of the Harz mountains. Population: 45,700 (1999).

Goslar is a very popular tourist resort of Lower Saxony, being a gateway to the western part of the Harz mountains. The town was founded in the 10th century after the discovery of silver deposits in the close Rammelsberg mountain. It became a particularly rich town, which attracted the interest of the Holy Roman Emperor.

The Kaiserpfalz (emperor's palace) of Goslar was built in the 11th century and became a summer residence for the emperors, especially Henry III of Germany who visited his favourite palace about twenty times. Henry is buried in Goslar.

The cathedral of Goslar is as old as the palace, but only the porch survived; the church itself was torn down in 1820. Goslar is still intact and was not bombed during World War II because it housed a P.O.W. camp.

Other sights are the town hall (16th century) and the ancient mines of the Rammelsberg mountain, which are now a mining museum. Goslar and the mines are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.