Harz Mountains Overview

Poet Heinrich Heine wrote that even Mephistopheles (the devil’s liaison in Goethe’s Faust) trembled when he approached the Harz, the devil’s own mountains. It’s easy to see why Heine—and a host of others, including Goethe and Bismarck—were fascinated by this mist-shrouded terrain. The region has practical appeal, too. The Harz were Germany’s main mineral source until the 20th century, but since the region straddled the Iron Curtain, both East and West declared much of it off-limits for mining during Germany’s 50-year division. The effects of a shaky economy can still be felt, although a recent surge in tourism brings hope to this region still largely unknown to international visitors.

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