Liebenburg: Castle History and Baroque Art

Liebenburg tells the story of a medieval castle, Baroque architecture and a landscape where experiences in nature and outdoor art each make their own mark. History, an educational trail through nature and cultural connections that extend beyond the region offer different perspectives on the town.

From Lewenborch to the Baroque Palace

The medieval Lewenborch was built in 1292 by Bishop Siegfried II of Hildesheim. Between 1750 and 1754, the former palace complex and church were demolished, and the Baroque palace and Baroque church were built in their place. This makes it possible to distinguish clearly between two phases of construction: the founding of the medieval castle and the Baroque renewal.

The Baroque church contains a Baroque ceiling fresco by Winck, measuring around 110 square metres, which was restored in 1985/86. Its approximate size gives a sense of the fresco as a large-scale work; the restoration adds a later phase to its art-historical story.

Liebenburg Church is open during the day for quiet reflection. If you are relying on it being open, check access in advance, as opening arrangements may change. The Hausmann Tower, a watch and gun tower, and a flanking tower are all that remain of the former Liebenburg castle. The Hausmann Tower serves as a viewing tower with views towards the Brocken. Access may change due to maintenance or safety conditions; check before your visit if you are planning to go up the tower.

Experiences in Nature, Landscape and Outdoor Art

The Liebenburg Nature Experience Trail is open to walkers year-round and combines nature experiences with learning. On a family walk, you can explore natural cycles, geology and regional history. This brings together a range of topics relating to nature and the region along one trail. Trail conditions and local access restrictions may vary by season.

The palace park is situated within the Salzgitterscher Höhenzug Landscape Protection Area and the FFH area of the same name. The two protected-area designations add a distinct dimension alongside the architectural history and highlight the landscape setting of Liebenburg.

Outdoor art also creates a special cultural connection: via the Strautal valley, Liebenburg Sculpture Park is linked to contemporary works along the Road of Peace. This route runs from Paris to Moscow. The artistic connection thus extends beyond the individual works, giving the local sculpture park a context that reaches beyond the region.

Liebenburg is also part of a wider route for cycling visitors: the World Heritage Cycle Route passes through the municipality of Liebenburg and connects five UNESCO World Heritage Sites between the source of the Innerste in the Upper Harz and its confluence with the Leine. The route thus spans the distance between its two named endpoints and makes Liebenburg part of its regional course.

A Distinct Historical Focus in Goslar

The wider destination of Goslar adds a distinct urban setting to Liebenburg’s themes. Goslar’s historic Old Town has been preserved intact across around one square kilometre and includes more than 1,500 half-timbered houses. St. Anne’s House on Glockengießerstraße is the oldest half-timbered house in Goslar’s Old Town to have survived fully intact and has stood since 1488. The Imperial Palace has stood at the foot of the Rammelsberg for nearly 1,000 years and was once the seat of power for kings and emperors.

When planning your stay, you can choose between two distinct themes: Liebenburg combines castle history with Baroque renewal, while Goslar offers a different historic townscape with its intact Old Town.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lutter Am Barenberge, Goslar, Braunlage, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Sankt Andreasberg, Langelsheim, Bad Harzburg, Oberharz

To the overview of the wider destination: Goslar.