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Germany
Saxony-Anhalt Road Trip: Bauhaus Architecture, Luther's Reformation & Harz Witch Legends
16 days exploring Germany's hidden heartland: UNESCO World Heritage sites, the world's oldest sky map, steam trains through witch country, and 1,300 half-timbered houses frozen in time.
≈ 17
Days
843
Km
16
Stops
Embark on a captivating journey through Saxony-Anhalt, Germany's best-kept secret where revolutionary Bauhaus design meets Reformation history and mystical Harz Mountain legends. From the iconic architecture of Dessau to the witches' gathering grounds atop the Brocken, this itinerary unveils treasures that shaped European culture while remaining blissfully off the tourist radar.
- The Bauhaus buildings in Dessau, birthplace of modern design and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Lutherstadt Wittenberg where Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation in 1517
- The Nebra Sky Disc, the world's oldest concrete depiction of the cosmos at 3,600 years old
- Quedlinburg's 1,300 half-timbered houses spanning six centuries of architectural history
- The Brocken summit and its legendary Walpurgis Night witch gatherings
- Wörlitz Park, Germany's finest English landscape garden and Enlightenment masterpiece
Your day-by-day itinerary
1
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Discover the Green Citadel, an architectural masterpiece designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. This unique building with its organic shapes, vibrant colors, and green roofs represents a revolutionary vision of urban architecture. Its colorful columns and irregular windows create a fascinating visual experience that defies traditional architectural conventions.
2
Admire the majestic Magdeburg Cathedral, the first Gothic edifice erected on German soil. This imposing cathedral, whose construction began in 1209, houses the tomb of Emperor Otto I the Great. Its soaring vaults and medieval sculptures bear witness to eight centuries of spiritual and artistic history at the heart of Germany.
3
Explore the Elbauenpark and its Millennium Tower, an interactive attraction tracing 6,000 years of scientific and technological history. This 60-meter tower offers hands-on experiences across five levels to understand humanity's great discoveries. The park also houses the famous Sandman figure, an iconic character from East German television.
Activities
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Stroll through the Old Market and discover Otto von Guericke's Magdeburg hemispheres
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Visit the Johanniskirche, a Gothic church rebuilt after World War II
Next stop
Distance:
65 km
Travel time:
50min
2
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Wander through Tangermünde, considered one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany. This picturesque town at the confluence of the Elbe and Tanger rivers captivates with its cobblestone streets lined with historic half-timbered houses and impressive red brick buildings. The preserved medieval atmosphere instantly transports you several centuries back in time.
2
Contemplate the imposing medieval Tangermünde Castle, former imperial residence of Charles IV in the 14th century. This fortress overlooking the Elbe offers spectacular views of the town and river banks. The massive ramparts and watchtowers testify to the strategic importance of this town in the history of the Holy Roman Empire.
3
Admire the Gothic brick Town Hall, an architectural gem of northern Germany with its characteristic stepped gables. St. Stephen's Church, an impressive 14th-century brick building, dominates the town's skyline with its slender bell tower. The Owl Tower (Eulenturm) is among the remarkably preserved remains of the medieval fortifications.
Activities
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Walk along the medieval ramparts with panoramic views over the Elbe
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Discover the statue of Grete Minde, a legendary figure of the town
Next stop
Distance:
15 km
Travel time:
20min
3
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Discover Stendal, proud Roland town of the Altmark, whose monumental statue in the market square symbolizes medieval civic liberties. This Hanseatic city prosperous in the Middle Ages preserves a remarkably homogeneous Gothic brick architectural heritage. Narrow alleyways lead to picturesque squares and hidden treasures revealing the historical importance of this former merchant town.
2
Marvel at St. Mary's Church which majestically towers above the town. This Gothic brick hall church impresses with its soaring architecture and refined artistic details. St. Jacobi Church, another Gothic jewel, completes this exceptional religious heritage with its stellar vaults and medieval stained glass windows.
3
Pass through the monumental Uenglingen and Tangermünde gates, impressive witnesses to the town's former fortifications. These Gothic brick gates, among the finest in northern Germany, tell of Stendal's strategic importance in medieval history. The Powder Tower and Renaissance Town Hall complete this remarkable architectural panorama.
Activities
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Visit the Altmark Museum tracing the history of this historic region
Next stop
Distance:
65 km
Travel time:
55min
4
Day
2 photos
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1
Savor Salzwedel, the town of Baumkuchen, where this traditional spit cake has been made according to ancestral recipes for centuries. This sweet specialty with its multiple golden layers, slowly cooked on a rotating cylinder, has become the culinary emblem of the Altmark. The old Hanseatic town with its half-timbered houses and Gothic brick churches provides a charming setting for this gourmet discovery.
2
Cruise on Lake Arendsee aboard the paddle steamer Queen Arendsee, which glides peacefully over the waters of this 5 km² natural lake. This nostalgic cruise evokes the atmosphere of old-time steamboats while offering enchanting panoramas of the wooded shores. The lake, the largest in the Altmark, is a popular destination for relaxation and water activities.
3
Discover the singular story of Gustav Nagel, legendary itinerant preacher and natural healer of the early 20th century. This eccentric figure lived in a cabin he had built near Lake Arendsee, traveling the region barefoot to spread his messages of peace and communion with nature. His legacy bears witness to the spiritual allure this peaceful region already held.
Activities
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Tasting of the famous Salzwedel Baumkuchen in a traditional pastry shop
Next stop
Distance:
130 km
Travel time:
1h40
5
Day
Discover
1
Explore Schönebeck, the salt town, whose millennial history is intimately linked to the extraction of white gold. The Salt Museum (Salzlandmuseum) takes you on a fascinating journey through the centuries to understand the economic and social importance of this precious resource. The picturesque old town with its colorful half-timbered houses invites leisurely strolls through streets steeped in history.
2
Relax in the spa district of Bad Salzelmen, where the majestic Gradierwerk (graduation tower) diffuses therapeutic salt spray into the air. This monumental wooden structure, where salt water trickles over blackthorn bundles, creates a unique iodine-rich microclimate. The salt bath offers an authentic wellness experience inherited from German spa traditions.
3
Admire Europe's longest inhabited half-timbered house on the Elbe, a spectacular testimony to traditional German architecture. The Salt Flower, a contemporary art installation on the river, dialogues with this historical heritage. St. Johannis Church completes this architectural panorama with its tower dominating the town.
Activities
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Visit the Pömmelte sanctuary, a cultic site over 4,000 years old with its reconstructed circular ditch
Next stop
Distance:
50 km
Travel time:
45min
6
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Discover Halle-on-Saale, birthplace of the famous composer George Frideric Handel whose monument proudly adorns the market square. This cultural metropolis, the most populous in Saxony-Anhalt, houses the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, one of Germany's oldest founded in 1502. The academic and artistic atmosphere permeates every street of this multifaceted city.
2
Contemplate Halle Cathedral and the Market Church of Our Lady with its four emblematic towers dominating the urban skyline. These late Gothic edifices testify to the religious and economic power of the town in the Middle Ages. Giebichenstein Castle, perched on a rocky promontory above the Saale, today houses a prestigious School of Fine Arts.
3
Marvel at the Nebra Sky Disc at the State Museum of Prehistory, the oldest concrete depiction of the sky ever discovered. This 3,600-year-old bronze disc, adorned with gold representing the sun, moon, and stars, revolutionized our understanding of Bronze Age astronomical knowledge. The Francke Foundations, a Baroque architectural complex dedicated to Pietist education, complete this exceptional heritage.
Activities
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Visit the Halloren Museum and taste the famous chocolate balls, specialty of Germany's oldest chocolate factory still in operation
Next stop
Distance:
50 km
Travel time:
45min
7
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Stroll along the graduation wall of Bad Kösen, an impressive wooden structure where salt water flows over blackthorn bundles. This traditional spa installation creates iodine-enriched air with invigorating properties, perpetuating a centuries-old wellness tradition. Various viewpoints over the spa town reveal a hilly landscape typical of the Saale-Unstrut region.
2
Discover this charming spa town nestled in the Saale valley, at the gateway to Germany's northernmost wine-growing region. The Belle Époque villa architecture testifies to the golden age of German spa culture in the 19th century. The surrounding vine-planted hills offer bucolic panoramas over this preserved landscape.
Activities
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Walk through the spa park gardens and discover the spa architecture
Next stop
Distance:
100 km
Travel time:
1h20
8
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Immerse yourself in the history of the Protestant Reformation at Lutherstadt Wittenberg, cradle of a movement that transformed Europe. It was here, on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther allegedly nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church, triggering a spiritual and intellectual revolution. This monumental portal, now in bronze, attracts visitors from around the world who come to pay tribute at this symbolic site.
2
Visit St. Mary's Church where Martin Luther preached regularly, a Gothic edifice at the heart of the old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Castle Church houses the tombs of Luther and his collaborator Philipp Melanchthon. The market square, dominated by the Luther monument and Renaissance facades, forms one of the finest urban ensembles in central Germany.
3
Explore the many historic buildings of the old town bearing witness to this pivotal era in European history. Luther House, the former Augustinian monastery where the reformer lived, is today the world's largest museum of the Reformation. Crossing the Elbe bridge, you reach the floodplain meadows where pristine nature offers a peaceful contrast to this intense cultural heritage.
Activities
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Walk through the Elbe meadows to enjoy the preserved natural surroundings
Next stop
Distance:
35 km
Travel time:
35min
9
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Immerse yourself in the Bauhaus universe in Dessau, where this revolutionary art school was founded in 1919 and relocated in 1925. The main building designed by Walter Gropius, with its iconic glass facade, embodies the founding principle of form follows function. Over 300 Bauhaus buildings dot the city, constituting the world's largest architectural ensemble of this movement.
2
Visit the Bauhaus Museum which houses the world's most important collection dedicated to this major 20th-century artistic movement. Works by legendary masters Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, and Wassily Kandinsky are displayed in a contemporary architectural setting. The Masters' Houses, residences of Bauhaus professors, offer a moving testimony to their avant-garde lifestyle.
3
Discover the rebuilt city center of Dessau, more than 85% destroyed during World War II. The Residential Palace, Town Hall, and mausoleum testify to the princely history of the town before the Bauhaus era. St. Peter and Paul Church and Georgium Palace, surrounded by its English-style park, complete this diverse architectural heritage.
Activities
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Visit Luisium Park, an 18th-century landscape garden with its small neoclassical palace
Next stop
Distance:
18 km
Travel time:
25min
10
Day
Discover
1
Marvel at Wörlitz Park, one of Germany's most beautiful landscape gardens and jewel of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 18th-century gardening masterpiece spans 112 hectares of canals, artificial islands, and romantic vistas. Neoclassical pavilions, picturesque bridges, and Greek temples create an idealized landscape inspired by Prince Leopold III's travels to Italy and England.
2
Visit Wörlitz Palace, Germany's first neoclassical building, whose refined interiors house remarkable art and antiquities collections. St. Peter's Church, harmoniously integrated into the park landscape, completes this architectural ensemble of exceptional aesthetic coherence. Gondolas gliding along the canals offer a unique perspective on this earthly paradise designed according to Enlightenment ideals.
Activities
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Boat ride along the park canals for a romantic perspective
Next stop
Distance:
100 km
Travel time:
1h20
11
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Lose yourself in the cobblestone streets of Quedlinburg, a former royal palace listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional ensemble of half-timbered houses. More than 1,300 timber-framed buildings dating from six different centuries form an open-air museum of traditional German architecture. Each facade tells a story, from modest craftsmen's houses to rich patrician mansions adorned with sculptures.
2
Visit St. Benedict's Market Church, a Gothic jewel at the heart of the old town whose twin towers dominate the surrounding red rooftops. St. Servatius Collegiate Church, perched on the Schlossberg, houses the cathedral treasury with its exceptional medieval reliquaries. The adjacent castle offers panoramic views over this labyrinth of winding alleyways and secret squares.
3
Discover the narrow alleyways lined with old half-timbered houses, the oldest dating back to the 14th century. The preserved medieval atmosphere of this town, spared from wartime destruction, transports you to Germany of old. Numerous small establishments in the old town invite contemplative pauses.
Activities
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Climb the Schlossberg for panoramic views over the old town rooftops
Next stop
Distance:
15 km
Travel time:
20min
12
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Admire Halberstadt Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece housing one of Europe's most important ecclesiastical treasures. This majestic cathedral, built on the model of French cathedrals, impresses with its harmonious proportions and medieval stained glass windows. St. Martin's Church completes this exceptional religious heritage with its preserved Romanesque architecture.
2
Explore the Klusfelsen near Halberstadt, impressive sandstone rock formations where medieval troglodyte chapels were carved. These sacred caves, sculpted into the rock by medieval hermits, create a mystical landscape unique in northern Germany. Hiking trails allow you to discover this site between nature and spirituality.
3
Visit the sandstone caves and Regenstein Castle near Blankenburg, a medieval fortress carved directly into the rock. This cliff-top citadel offers spectacular views over the Harz foothills and testifies to medieval defensive ingenuity. The cave dwellings of Langenstein, some inhabited until 1916, reveal an unusual way of life perpetuated for centuries.
Activities
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Hike to the Blankenburg sandstone caves and discover the rock castle of Regenstein
Next stop
Distance:
25 km
Travel time:
30min
13
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Contemplate the impressive half-timbered Town Hall of Wernigerode, one of the most photographed in Germany with its pointed turrets and medieval sculptures. This pearl of the Harz captivates with its ensemble of perfectly preserved half-timbered houses, including the town's smallest house that attracts the curious. The neo-Gothic castle enthroned on its hill offers a fairytale silhouette overlooking the colorful rooftops of the old town.
2
Visit Wernigerode Castle, residence of the Counts of Stolberg-Wernigerode transformed into a museum tracing 19th-century aristocratic life. The sumptuous apartments and decorative art collections testify to the refinement of German nobility. The panoramic view from the terraces embraces the Harz forests and surrounding peaks.
3
Discover the Steinerne Renne, a spectacular gorge of the Holtemme River where water cascades between enormous moss-covered granite boulders. This natural wonder at the gates of Wernigerode offers a refreshing hike through preserved primeval forest. At the Baumkuchenhaus, this traditional spit-roasted cake perpetuates a unique pastry-making tradition.
Activities
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Excursion to the Schierke district, home of the Schierker Feuerstein herbal liqueur
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Visit Pullman City Harz theme park in Hasselfelde, Germany's largest western town
Next stop
Distance:
20 km
Travel time:
25min
14
Day
Discover
1
Ascend to the Hexentanzplatz, the legendary witches' dance floor, accessible by a panoramic cable car soaring over the Bode Valley. This rocky plateau at 454 meters elevation is the scene of numerous legends surrounding the Harz witches who allegedly gather here every Walpurgis Night. The plunging view over the wild Bode Gorge and surrounding forests creates a panorama of striking beauty.
2
Climb the Roßtrappe, a 400-meter granite rock offering a fantastic view of the Harz Mountains. According to legend, the horseshoe-shaped imprint visible in the rock comes from Princess Brunhilde's horse, which leapt across the gorge to escape the knight Bodo. The latter, having fallen into the abyss, allegedly gave his name to the Bode River that winds 200 meters below.
3
Hike on the Harzer Hexenstieg, the famous hiking trail following the Bode River through a spectacular gorge. The Devil's Bridge spans the tumultuous waters in an enchanted forest setting worthy of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. St. Peter's Church and Goethe's Rock, which the writer visited during his travels in the Harz, complete this immersion in a German romantic landscape.
Activities
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Hike along the Bode on the Hexenstieg trail through the wild gorge
Next stop
Distance:
30 km
Travel time:
40min
15
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Conquer the Brocken, Saxony-Anhalt's highest point and the highest mountain in northern Germany at 1,141 meters elevation. This mythical summit, shrouded in mist and legend, is the gathering place of witches during Walpurgis Night according to Germanic folklore. On clear days, panoramas from the summit extend up to 200 kilometers, embracing the northern plains and neighboring massifs.
2
Board the Harzer Brockenbahn steam train, one of Germany's last narrow-gauge railways still in regular service. This historic line climbs the slopes of the Brocken through fir forests and highland peat bog landscapes in a nostalgic atmosphere. The 90-minute train journey constitutes an experience as memorable as the destination itself.
3
Discover Heinrich Heine Rock, named in honor of the famous poet who climbed the Brocken in 1820 and immortalized this experience in his travel narrative. Hiking trails wind through a subarctic landscape unique in central Germany, where stunted vegetation testifies to the extreme climatic conditions. The delicious Brockensplitter chocolates are the gourmet reward for this ascent.
Activities
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Hiking or steam train journey to the Brocken summit
Next stop
Distance:
40 km
Travel time:
45min
16
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Explore Stolberg, a picturesque town in the southern Harz whose medieval center is miraculously preserved. Historic half-timbered houses lining the steep alleyways create a setting from another time at the foot of the castle overlooking the valley. Stolberg Castle, residence of the eponymous counts, and St. Martin's Church constitute the emblematic symbols of this romantic town.
2
Discover the birthplace of Thomas Müntzer, radical theologian and leader of the Peasants' War born here in 1489. A statue commemorates this controversial figure who defied the established order in the name of social justice. His revolutionary legacy makes Stolberg an important memorial site for the history of social movements in Europe.
3
Climb the 200 steps of Joseph's Cross, the world's largest iron double cross erected on the Großer Auerberg. This impressive 38-meter-high metal structure, built in 1896, offers a magnificent view of the Harz massif from its observation platform. The 360-degree panorama rewards the climbing effort with a grandiose natural spectacle.
Activities
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Climb to Joseph's Cross for the panorama over the southern Harz
Next stop
Distance:
85 km
Travel time:
1h10
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What weather should you expect?
Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent value, ideal touring, mild conditions, beautiful scenery.
Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, festival season, long daylight hours, crowded attractions, vibrant atmosphere.
Fall (September-October): Excellent weather, autumn colors, Oktoberfest, harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, beautiful photography, wine season.
Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, winter sports, lowest prices, cozy atmosphere, indoor attractions, cultural focus, festive season, snow activities.
How many days should I plan?
We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 14 and 20 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.
What to discover in Germany?
Rich history, cultural contributions, and efficient modern society from Bavaria to Berlin. Experience Oktoberfest, medieval towns, and world-class museums with excellent transportation infrastructure. The country offers diverse landscapes, outstanding cuisine, and important historical sites. Germany provides cultural depth, historical significance, and modern efficiency in heart of Europe.