The German city of Wernigerode

From the 12th century to the present

In the 12th century, more specifically first mentioned in 1121, the city of Wernigerode was founded and a fortress (at least first mentioned about its existence in a document about the count of Wernigerode) was built in the city, in the region of the Harz mountains (in the Saxony-Anhalt, east center Germany), with colorful timber-framed houses around a dark forest. Apart from the castle, the city is known for its witches and participation in the witch trials. Nowadays, old buildings, like the town hall built between 1494-1498, still exist. As well as the castle is open for visitors in an environment full of references to witches.

In 1231, the fortress for the German emperors during their hunting trips was first mentioned as a fortress. In 1429, the family which owned the castle had its line extinct, so the land was inherited by the count of Stolberg. After various changes, in the 15th century, the fortress was enlarged in a gothic style, as well as in the 16th century when it was rebuilt in the renaissance style. In the 17th century, it became the capital of the County of Stolberg-Wernigerode, after the family which owned the property split in 1645.

During the Thirty Years War, the castle was devastated, but the Count Ernst zu Stolberg Wernigerode resconstructed the baroque castle with a romantic architectural style as his residence. In 1714, he had to give his property to King Frederick William I of Prussia, after 61 years ruling the county. Finally, in the 19th century (1878), Count Otto finished rebuilding some parts of the castle into a Neo-Romantic Gründerzeit style, beginning the last important modification until the castle opened for visitors in 1930. Due to the various different style rebuildings of the castle, it is possible to notice diverse architectures when visiting it.

Still, the region was not always a fairy-tale. The Harz Mountains are associated with magic and black spells, mainly its peak called Brocken. When the sun goes down, an effect called Brocken bow, when the peak’s shadows cast in the low clouds and fog in the botton of the mountain, gives a mystical sensation. This effect contributes to the folklore of the city about an annual witch night called Witch’s Sabbath on April 30. According to the legends, on the night of April 30 witches gathered in the top of Brocken (the highest peak of the Harz mountains) to do magical spells and meet the devil. In the 16th and 17th century, witch trials took place in Wernigerode as well as in other parts of Europe, therefore, there were many executions. The peak was referenced in the famous tale called Faust by Goethe (the folklore of a doctor who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power) as well as in some of the Brothers Grimm tales.

Nowadays tourists can visit the castle, the old houses (even the smallest house in the city), walk in the forest, get a train ride in the mountains, and experience the mystic environment of Wernigerode with the many references to the witches along the city.

Sources:

https://www.dw.com/en/medieval-magic-in-germanys-harz-mountains/a-17437982

https://www.britannica.com/place/Brocken