Are you a die-hard Harry Potter fan, dreaming of one day receiving an owl letter and entering the famous wizarding school – Hogwarts? If so, pack your bags and head to Wernigerode – a quaint town in the Harz, a plateau region in northern Germany. With its unique architecture, majestic nature, and exciting adventure activities, Wernigerode promises to bring you an experience that is no less than stepping into the wizarding world.
Lost in the magical world
As soon as you set foot in Wernigerode, the magic of this place will immediately remind you of Hogsmeade, the famous village of witches and wizards. Hogsmeade has High Street, with unique shops and pubs such as Zonko's Joke Shop and Honeydukes, while Wernigerode has Westernstraße, a long road stretching under the golden sunshine, lined with ancient half-timbered houses.
Along this street, small, tastefully decorated cafes and shops create a charming and magical atmosphere. The highlight of Wernigerode is the town hall located right in the central square. With its impressive architectural beauty, the building is also one of the main attractions of the town.
The Town Hall is located right on the central square with typical architecture in Wernigerode
Wernigerode Castle - Hogwarts in real life
When talking about Wernigerode, we cannot help but mention the magnificent Wernigerode Castle. Located on the top of the mountain, the castle with its tall towers and characteristic bay windows reminds people of the legendary Hogwarts school. This castle is currently open to visitors about 50 of the total 200 magnificent rooms here, each room has its own beauty, from architecture to interior.
To get to the castle, visitors can choose to walk up the winding steep path or use the Wernigeröder Bimmelbahn tourist train – an interesting experience not to be missed. From Wernigerode Castle, you can admire the beautiful scenery of the town below as well as the vast Harz plateau. For those who like the feeling of conquest, climb to the top of Agnesberg for an even more spectacular panoramic view.
Wernigerode Castle sits atop the Harz Mountains and was once a hunting lodge for local rulers and nobles in the 12th century.
Brocken - the wizarding mountain and the Hogwarts Express
Your experience in Wernigerode will be even more complete when you take a trip to the top of Brocken - the highest mountain in the Harz region, with an altitude of 1,141 m. Brocken is not only known for its majestic beauty but also for its famous place associated with the legend of witches in Germany. According to folk tales, this is the main gathering place of witches in the area.
If you don’t want to hike, you can choose the Brockenbahn – a nostalgic steam train that reminds visitors of the Hogwarts Express. The feeling of hearing the train whistle echo in the vast space and seeing the white smoke coming from the engine surrounding the green hills is an unforgettable experience.
From the top of the Brocken, if the weather is clear, you can see up to 100 km, admiring the panoramic beauty of the surrounding nature. The round-trip ticket for the Brockenbahn is 42 euros for adults, a reasonable price for an exciting trip into the world of real-life magic.
The Brockenbahn – a real steam locomotive, reminiscent of the Hogwarts Express departs from King's Cross Railway Station
Explore ancient caves and natural beauty
If you are a nature lover and love to explore the wonders of the underground, don’t miss a visit to the limestone caves in Rübeland. These caves are up to 380 million years old and were formed by the waters of the Bode River. During your visit to Baumannshöhle Cave, you will have the opportunity to attend theatrical performances and even wedding ceremonies. In addition, Rübeland also has Hermannshöhle Cave – where strange animals such as blind fish live, and the skeleton of a long-extinct herbivorous bear – all of which are highlights not to be missed.
Limestone caves in Rübeland are over 380 million years old.
Air adventure
For those who love thrills, Wernigerode also offers a great experience at the Rappbodetalsperre Dam. Here, you can walk on the highest steel suspension bridge in Germany to enjoy panoramic views of the valley and the majestic dam. Or if you want to challenge yourself, try ziplining - an exciting adventure game. However, you should book in advance because these activities always attract a lot of tourists to this place.
With a length of 483 m, this was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time it was put into operation in May 2017.
Wernigerode is not only the perfect destination for those who love the magical world of Harry Potter, but also a place that offers a variety of rich travel experiences. From ancient villages with unique architecture, to majestic castles and beautiful natural landscapes, Wernigerode is truly the perfect combination of fairytale world and everyday life.
