Harzer Klosterwanderweg - 6th stage - Thale to Quedlinburg

Short description

6th stage of the Harz Monastery Trail from Wendhusen Monastery in Thale to St. Marys Monastery Church on Münzenberg in Quedlinburg.

Description

This stage features special churches and monastery complexes with partially outstanding international significance, as well as beautiful village churches. From Wendhusen Monastery in Thale, the path leads to Neinstedt with a view of the Devils Wall and along the romantic Bode River. In the middle of Neinstedt lies the village church of St. Catherine, whose garden overlooking the village invites you to linger. In Stecklenberg, take in the beautiful ensemble with the Protestant village church, the spa park with water axis, and the model of Lauenburg before continuing on to Bad Suderode and then to Gernrode to visit the Romanesque collegiate church of St. Cyriacus, which is considered one of the most significant Ottonian architectural monuments in Germany. The destination is Quedlinburg on Münzenberg. Here, two of the numerous remarkable churches and monuments along the way are recommended: St. Wiperti Church, with its 10th-century crypt and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Museum of St. Mary on Münzenberg.

Route description

From Wendhusen Monastery in Thale, the monastery trail leads through Wendhusenstraße to Schänkeplatz and further to Neustädter Straße. At Knieberg, it continues towards Neinstedt to the Teufelsmauer parking lot. Follow the monastery trail markings. Cross the Bode bridge to Marienhof with its farm shop. At the pedestrian traffic light, cross the street and continue over the railroad crossing to Alte Quedlinburger Straße. At the end, cross Neinstedter Hauptstraße, and opposite, the monastery trail continues into the narrow alley Am Brunnen. Climb a steep staircase to reach St. Catherines Church, offering a wonderful view of the Devils Wall and Brocken. The village church was first mentioned in a document in 1236, and its exact age is unknown. In 1564, it was expanded and rebuilt.

Continue on the graceful Poetensteig path to Stecklenberg, a district of Thale. At the end of Schulgasse, the path continues straight ahead, passing the church and the model of the now destroyed Lauenburg (marked: 3-Burgen-Weg) - the ruins of Stecklenburg and Lauenburg are slightly above Stecklenberg - and then gently uphill into the forest. The path gradually approaches the road. Before Haus Waldesruh, follow the stage down to the street, then uphill again (Stecklenberger Hauptstraße: be careful of traffic here!). At the end of the left curve, the hiking trail enters the forest and leads to Bad Suderode, to the town hall square and the spa park. The Harz Monastery Trail also leads to the over-thousand-year-old Romanesque collegiate church of St. Cyriacus in Gernrode via Selketalstieg / Trail of German Kings and Emperors (Panoramaweg - Menzingteich - Hagental - Im Hagen - Am Spittelteich). Extensively renovated in the second half of the 19th century, the impressive church interior features architectural peculiarities such as the Holy Sepulchre, the east crypt, and the two choir systems.

From the restaurant Bückemühle, follow the marking on Selketalstieg to Quedlinburg on Münzenberg, a district of Quedlinburg with over 60 half-timbered houses and a panoramic view of Quedlinburg. The Harz Monastery Trail ends or begins here at the former St. Marys Monastery. Before embarking on the exploration of Quedlinburg, take a break behind the Schafbrücke on an Engelsbank.

Additional information

www.harzinfo.de/erlebnisse/poi/kloster-wendhusen

www.bodetal.de

www.neinstedt.de/esn/service-produkte/laeden/hofladen.php

www.stiftskirche-gernrode.de/stiftskirche/

www.klosterkirche-muenzenberg.de/

www.quedlinburg-info.de/

Travel information

via A36 to Thale exit, then country road (L 240 / L 92) via Warnstedt to Thale.

Parking information

Kirchplatz / Schänkeplatz

Safety instructions

Please exercise extreme caution when crossing roads and railroad tracks.