Saxon treasures from the depths of the earth

The greatest riches are hidden in the earth, so man has always been looking for them beneath its surface. As technology progressed, people dug deeper and deeper. First, to meet basic needs (weapons and agricultural tools), and later to improve life (extraction of metals used in modern electronics). In Lower Saxony, at the foot of the Rammelsberg mountain, there is an ore mine that has continuously provided people with the necessary raw materials for over 1,000 years. This is the Rammelsberg mine, which, together with the system of water facilities formerly used for mining, was included on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List.

Treasures taken from the earth

There is a legend that the knight Ramma, who accompanied Charlemagne during the hunt, tied his horse to a tree and went on foot after the game. The impatient horse began to kick and dig up the ground, as a result of which it accidentally discovered deposits of ore. The mountain where the surprising discovery was made was from then on called Rammelsberg - after the knight. The oldest records of ore mining in this place date back to 968 AD. Thanks to archaeological research and the artifacts they discovered, it is now believed that mining activities could have taken place here up to 2,000 years earlier. For over 1,000 years (recorded), over 30 million tons of ore have been extracted, from which, among others, silver, lead, copper, zinc and gold. Work was stopped in 1988, mainly due to the exhaustion of underground resources. Currently, the place serves as a mining museum and for many tourists it is a very attractive point on the itinerary of a trip to Lower Saxony . Throughout its operation, the mine had a huge impact on the surrounding areas. In 1561, among others, were built: artificial pond Herzberger Teich , whose task was to provide an adequate amount of water to power underground water wheels. In 1926, the reservoir was transformed into the SC Hellas Goslar swimming pool, and the mining machinery began to be powered by electricity. Thanks to mining, nearby human settlements were created or developed, including the center of Clausthal-Zellerfeld , composed of two towns: Clausthal and Zellerfeld. The first one was a mining settlement, while the second one was a winter sports center and resort.

On the trail of "love benches"

On January 1, 2015, the town of Altenau joined the districts of Clausthal-Zellerfeld. In the past, it served as a health resort, to which people flocked from all over the region. Currently, it houses the Mining Museum, whose exhibits include tools and machines used in the daily work of nearby mines. After visiting the district, you can follow one of the excursion routes leading around the water system in the Upper Harz, responsible for the ore processing process. It would seem that a tourist with a romantic soul would not find anything for himself among the mines and traces of the exploitation of valuable deposits. Meanwhile, it is different - one of the trails, Liebesbankweg , leads visitors along a road lined with charming carved wooden benches, called "love benches". Each of them is marked with a plaque showing the date of marriage of the given couple.

Camping in Germany

About 4 km east of Clausthal-Zellerfeld is the family resort Campingplatz Polstertal . Located in the forest, surrounded by silence, it is a perfect place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The campsite has 65 pitches fully adapted to accommodate a trailer or camper, as well as pitches for tents. It is an ideal choice for people who want to actively relax among untouched nature. In summer, tourists can explore the area by bike or go for a long, relaxing walk. Fishing enthusiasts can use the nearby water reservoir. In winter, the region is visited by cross-country skiing enthusiasts. The campsite warmly welcomes families with children - there is a playground for children and a swimming pool (open in summer). The resort is pet-friendly, and the surrounding areas are a great place to relax with your pet.