Wernigerode Castle

Wernigerode Castle (Schloss Wernigerode) rises above the half-timbered town of Wernigerode on the northern edge of the Harz Mountains, and it looks like it was lifted from a fairy tale. Its towers and steep roofs date largely from a lavish 19th-century rebuild, making it one of northern Germany's finest examples of historicist architecture. Inside, a museum shows how the high nobility lived before 1918, and the terraces offer sweeping views to the Brocken.

Where it is and how to get there

Wernigerode lies in Saxony-Anhalt, about 1.5 hours by car from Hanover and around 2.5 to 3 hours from Berlin. Regional trains serve Wernigerode station, and the Deutschlandticket is valid on them. From the station, walk about five minutes to the "Altstadt/Schloss" parking lot, then either hike up for roughly 20 minutes or ride the little Schlossbahn road train. There is no parking at the castle itself, and the final stretch on foot is steep (gradients up to 23 percent).

History in brief

A medieval fortress stood here by the early 12th century and was first recorded as "Castrum Wernigerode" in 1213. In 1429 it passed to the Counts of Stolberg. Damaged during the Thirty Years' War, it became a Baroque residence in the 1670s. Its current look comes from Count Otto of Stolberg-Wernigerode, who served as vice chancellor of the German Empire and rebuilt the castle from 1862 to 1885 into a showpiece with around 250 rooms. The family left in 1929 and lost the property in 1945. Since 1998 the castle has been Germany's first museum center dedicated to 19th-century art and cultural history.

What to see

• Almost 40 rooms on two self-guided routes, many with original furnishings
• Grand halls with carved paneling, coffered ceilings, and a formally laid banquet table
• The castle church, completed in 1880 in Gothic Revival style
• Courtyard and terraces with ornate half-timbering and views over the town

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, admission is €9 for adults, €8 reduced, €4.50 for children aged 6 to 14, and free under 6; a family ticket costs €23. The castle is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through November 1, 2026. From November 2, winter hours apply: Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends until 6 p.m., closed Mondays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Tickets can be bought online.

Note for 2026: renovation work on the inner castle ring means visitors with limited mobility cannot visit until about October 23, 2026.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes. Combine the castle with a stroll through Wernigerode's old town and a ride on the historic Brocken Railway steam train for a perfect Harz day trip. Allow 1.5 to 3 hours for the castle itself.