Falkenstein/Harz: Castle and Monastery History

Falkenstein Castle and the landscape along the Selke River

In the municipality of Falkenstein/Harz, Falkenstein Castle stands on a mountain spur high above the Selke River, in the middle of a nature reserve. The elevation, river and protected surroundings are all connected here: the castle is both a historic attraction and part of a specific natural setting. Those who choose places for their landscape and history will find both combined in its setting.

Konradsburg: Monastery Church, Choir and Crypt

Konradsburg was later used as a Benedictine monastery. The complex includes the monastery church of St. Sixtus, a high choir and a preserved crypt below it. The crypt in particular gives an impression of the size of the former basilica. The complex thus offers a distinctive way to explore history: its architecture and scale take center stage, not just its later use as a monastery.

The route is also a practical part of finding your way: if you hike to Konradsburg, take the green trail that runs parallel to the road. The description thus connects a historic destination with a specific option for hikers. During your stay in the municipality, you can explore the castle and monastery as distinct points of interest.

The Harz as a broader travel destination

The broader travel destination of the Harz offers a wider range of nature and visitor attractions. The UNESCO Global Geopark Harz–Braunschweiger Land–Ostfalen encompasses the Harz. Its visitor facilities include geopark information centers, adventure trails, show mines, boulder gardens and museums. Alongside hiking trails, visitors can choose from information centers, exhibitions and cultural sites.

The Harz National Park has eight visitor centers and national park houses offering information about the park, hiking tips, exhibitions and film screenings. It also offers guided hikes and excursions with rangers, experts, national park guides and national park forest guides. Check the relevant dates in advance for specific guided tours and excursions. The national park covers 24,732 hectares, or around ten percent of the entire Harz region. Its 560 kilometers of signposted trails lead to particularly scenic viewpoints.

Hiking options in the Harz also offer a range of different experiences. The Harzer Wandernadel connects 222 stamping stations throughout the Harz; those who collect all 222 stamps earn the title “Harzer Wanderkaiser” (Harz Hiking Emperor). The Harzer-Hexen-Stieg trail passes through the Harz National Park and the Brocken bog. Its twelve experience islands point out special viewpoints, tell stories or invite hikers to take a short break. This distinguishes a Harz-wide stamp-collecting challenge from a route with its own experience stations.

For culture enthusiasts, the broader Harz region offers other points of interest: Quedlinburg has more than 2,000 half-timbered houses dating from eight centuries and is one of Germany’s largest historic urban areas. The Upper Harz Water Management System became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in August 2010. It now comprises 107 preserved ponds, 310 kilometers of water channels and 30 kilometers of underground waterways. Half-timbered architecture and historic water management represent distinct cultural highlights of the region.

Choose the right focus for your holiday apartment

When looking for a holiday apartment in Falkenstein/Harz, it helps to decide what scale of visit you have in mind: do you want to focus on local castle and monastery history and the landscape along the Selke River, or would you also like to explore other themes across the broader Harz region? If hiking is important, the Harzer Wandernadel, the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg or the national park’s activities can help you narrow down your interests. For culture, Konradsburg and the larger Harz attractions offer different points of focus. Choose your holiday destination based on which of these themes you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pansfelde, Meisdorf, Ermsleben, Tanne, Güntersberge, Oberharz Am Brocken, Thale, Harsleben.

Go to the broader travel overview: Harz.