Discover Neudorf: Mining, Water and Village History

Neudorf brings together a long mining history, an iron-rich spring, a bathing pond and traces of its past as a mining village. The historic mining circular trail provides a thread through the village’s history, while Birnbaumteich pond and cultural heritage reveal other sides of the place.

Mining History Along the Trail

The Neudorf mining circular trail is about 15 kilometres long and traces more than 600 years of mining history in the Neudorf mining district. Hikers reach the highly iron-rich Stahlquelle spring via the so-called Menschentrappe. The spring is a tangible stop along the way, set against the district’s long history. At approximately this length, the circular trail can be a focus of a day’s itinerary; at the same time, it links a named stop on the route with the broader historical theme of mining.

Water and Village History

Birnbaumteich pond was dammed in the 17th century as an important water reservoir for mining and is now used for bathing. Here, its historical function meets its present-day role: the pond tells the story of how water was used in mining and is also another facet of Neudorf. Its different layers of history offer more than one way of understanding the place.

The village’s history, too, spans different periods. The present-day St. Peter and Paul church building in Neudorf was constructed in 1888, replacing an earlier building that had been badly damaged by fire. The Neudorf local history room preserves numerous artefacts documenting the history of the former mining village. Architectural history and preserved objects offer two different perspectives: the church building anchors part of the story in a specific year, while the local history room preserves traces of the former mining village.

More to Explore in the Wider Harzgerode Destination

The wider Harzgerode destination offers additional historical and active pursuits. Harzgerode Castle was rebuilt between 1549 and 1552 and served as the residence of the Anhalt princely family’s Harzgerode branch from 1635 to 1709. The Renaissance building has a stair tower and a round tower. Its architecture and history as a residence provide a different focus from Neudorf’s mining history.

At the Carlswerk in Mägdesprung, original machine tools from the first half of the 20th century and a wooden crane dating from 1890 have been preserved. Together with lockers, workbenches and employees’ holiday postcards, they illustrate the working culture of the early industrial era. The Harzgerode nature trail includes a quiz, a barefoot path and a sound organ. Along the HARZGERÖDER KUGELsPASS, two playgrounds and eight stations with marble runs offer play and interaction. Multilingual audio stations are available in German for adults and children, as well as in Russian, Danish, English and Chinese. When there is too little snow, the nature toboggan run is also suitable for a winter walk.

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