Walkenried Monastery
UNESCO World Heritage Site and relaxing vacation destination
Walkenried is nestled among the green hills of the southern Harz Mountains and is widely known as the site of the once-important Cistercian monastery, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This blend of rich history and natural beauty attracts history buffs and hikers, mountain bikers, nature lovers, and families alike. Discover the monastery town of Walkenried as your diverse vacation destination.
When you visit Walkenried, the first thing that catches your eye are the ruins of the former Gothic monastery church, visible from afar. Their sheer size gives you an impressive sense of the building’s former dimensions—90 meters in length.
Monks of the Cistercian Order have been active in Walkenried since 1127, and their monastery continues to shape the town to this day. The Walkenried Monastery has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.
Visitors can tour the cloister building, which includes the cloister, the fountain house, the chapter house, the brothers’ hall, and the refectory—all of which, thanks to their excellent condition, bring history to life.
Be sure to visit the adjacent museum , let state-of-the-art audio and visual presentations take you on an exciting journey through the era of the Cistercian monks.
The UNESCO World Heritage Information Center on the monastery grounds provides more information about other World Heritage sites throughout the Harz Mountains—inspiration for exciting journeys of discovery.
The monastery regularly serves as a venue for events and concerts. The annual highlight is the monastery market in September. Religious orders from various countries travel there to offer their homemade goods from the kitchen, garden, cellar, and workshop.
Look forward to a lively exchange of ideas on spirituality, social engagement, and ethical principles—a journey that is simply good for the body, mind, and soul.
The soils around the town of Walkenried contain gypsum. Weathering has created numerous caves, such as the Einhorn Cave, sinkholes, and springs.
Today, deciduous forests, gypsum cliffs, and bodies of water create a fascinating interplay. This environment is also home to rare animal and plant species, many of which have found a habitat here. It’s no wonder that Walkenried is considered a “biodiversity hotspot” in Lower Saxony.
Explore this unique landscape around Walkenried on foot along the Karst Hiking Trail or by mountain bike or e-bike on the T3 circular bike trail or the SHE bike trail toward Braunlage—unforgettable experiences guaranteed.
In the summer, you can cool off in the swimming areas in the town of Walkenried. Sixteen ponds, once created by the monks of the Cistercian monastery for fish farming, are now an idyllic recreational area for hikers and swimmers. The Priorteich invites water lovers of all ages to splash around, swim, and sunbathe in the midst of nature.
And when thick layers of ice form on the ponds during very cold winters, you can do your pirouettes while ice skating.
Christmas Magic
During the run-up to Christmas, the town of Walkenried is decked out in lights, and the Christmas trees sparkle. In early December, you can stroll through the atmospheric Christmas market and admire handicrafts and specialties from the Harz region while enjoying punch and hot cocoa.
The other districts of the municipality of Walkenried
Wieda
The small town of Wieda in the southern Harz Mountains charms visitors with its beautiful half-timbered houses and long tradition of mining and glassmaking. During the Advent and Christmas season, the countless lights of the Wieda Nativity Scene Festival illuminate the idyllic village—a must-see for every visitor to the Harz Mountains.
Zorge
Take a deep breath in Zorge: fresh forest air, mountainous scenery, and dense mixed forests are perfect for relaxing moments in nature. Lush and green in summer, glistening white in winter—the town of Zorge is worth a visit any time of year.
