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84-587: The Kahler Asten is located in the northwestern part of the Rothaargebirge in the Hochsauerland region, a little southwest of Winterberg between the villages of Altastenberg , Neuastenberg and Lenneplätze . The climate of the Kahler Asten is characterized by high precipitation spread mostly evenly across the year, with a slight peak in winter, resulting in an often massive snowpack. In

168-422: A breeding pair has settled in the eastern Harz as the result of a wildlife reintroduction project. The ring ouzel prefers semi-open stone runs and lightly wooded transition zones between treeless raised bogs and forests . The Harz is home to one of its few, isolated breeding areas in central Europe. Its main distribution area extends across northwest Europe, including large parts of England and Scotland, as well as

252-687: A consequence of the mining industry in the Upper Harz, was largely destroyed by a bark beetle outbreak and a storm of hurricane proportions in November 1800. This largest known bark beetle infestation in the Harz was known as the Große Wurmtrocknis , and destroyed about 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of spruce forest and lasted about for 20 years. The woods were largely reforested with spruce. Continuous problems with bark beetle and storms were

336-565: A consequence of this it is also referred to as the "Classic Geological Square Mile" ( Klassischen Quadratmeile der Geologie ). There is a room devoted to geology in the Harz Museum in Wernigerode. The vegetation of the Harz mountains is divided into six altitudinal zones : From the edge of the Harz to 700 m above sea level beech woods dominate, especially the wood-rush beech woods on locations poorly supplied with nutrients where

420-556: A hill range has lower temperatures and higher levels of precipitation than the surrounding land. The Harz is characterised by regular precipitation throughout the year. Exposed to westerly winds from the Atlantic, heavy with rain, the windward side of the mountains has up to 1,600 mm of rain annually (West Harz, Upper Harz, High Harz); in contrast, the leeward side only receives an average of 600 mm of precipitation per annum (East Harz, Lower Harz, Eastern Harz foothills). The Harz

504-482: A keen interest in science (see Goethes: Wahrheit und Dichtung ). In 1777, Goethe climbed the Brocken, departing from Torfhaus. At that time, there was still no mass tourism on the Brocken; in the year 1779 only 421 walkers were recorded. Goethe described his feelings on the summit later, as follows: So lonely, I say to myself, while looking down at this peak, will it feel to the person, who only wants to open his soul to

588-473: A lack of old trees and natural brooks). Through improvements to its habitat, including the renaturalisation of waterways and the creation of relatively undisturbed peaceful areas, the black stork population has now recovered. A typical mammal of such deciduous woods is the European wildcat ( Felis silvestris ), that has established a stable population in the Harz. It prefers the diverse wooded areas, which offer

672-466: A result of deliberate forest management . Sycamore trees are also found in these woods. Spruce woods thrive in the highest locations from about 800 m to the tree line at around 1,000 m above sea level. These woods are also home to some deciduous trees such as rowan, silver and downy birches ( Betula pendula and Betula pubescens ) and willows ( Salix spec. ). Conditions of high humidity foster an environment rich in mosses and lichens . In spite of

756-416: A result of the increasingly continental climate on the eastern edge of the Harz, the common beech gives way to mixed forests of sessile oak. At intermediate heights of between 700 and 800 m above sea level, mixed woods of spruce ( Picea abies ) and common beech would predominantly be found under natural conditions. However, apart from a few remnants, these were supplanted a long time ago by spruce stands as

840-419: A rich variety of food. The animal kingdom of the mixed beech and spruce woods is also diverse. Species that thrive in mixed forest are especially at home. For example, the mixed mountain forest is the natural habitat of the capercaillie ( Tetrao urogallus ). The Tengmalm's owl ( Aegolius funereus ) may also be found here. It breeds almost exclusively in black woodpecker holes in old beeches, and needs, unlike

924-406: A role. Melic grass beech woods are found in the few places where there is an abundance of nutrients and bases , e. g. over dolerite and gneiss formations, and they have a vegetation layer rich in variety and luxuriant growth. Here, too, the common beech dominates, mixed, for example, with sycamore, ash ( Fraxinus excelsior ), hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus ) and Scots elm ( Ulmus glabra ). As

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1008-655: A subsidiary of the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Council ( Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe ). A thorough renovation and refurbishment was then carried out by December 2005. After its restoration the hotel-restaurant opened its doors again in December 2005 and the Astenturm itself was re-opened on 20 March 2006. It now has a self-service area, a restaurant area and 17 double rooms with 34 beds. Since October 2008 visitors can learn more about

1092-407: A type of damselfly , can be seen by streams in the Harz. The dipper ( Cinclus cinclus ), which is found everywhere on Harz streams, occurs almost exclusively in the highlands. Its habitat is very fast-flowing, clear mountain streams with wooded banks. It can dive and run under water along the stream bed. It turns stones over in its search for food. The grey wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea ) also uses

1176-571: A width of 35 kilometres (22 mi). It occupies an area of 2,226 square kilometres (859 sq mi), and is divided into the Upper Harz ( Oberharz ) in the northwest, which is up to 800 m high, apart from the 1,100 m high Brocken massif, and the Lower Harz ( Unterharz ) in the east which is up to around 400 m high and whose plateaus are capable of supporting arable farming. The following districts ( Kreise ) fall wholly or partly within

1260-681: Is a native of the bilberry-rich bog spruce woods. Only a few animals are able to survive the extreme conditions of the raised bogs . Examples of these are the Alpine emerald dragonfly ( Somatochlora alpestris ), which only occurs in Lower Saxony in the Harz, and is endangered in Germany, and the Subarctic darner ( Aeshna subarctica ), a damselfly which is threatened with extinction. Rocks and stone runs are important habitat components for

1344-694: Is even higher. The height of the Kahle Asten on the latest topographical maps is given as 841.9 m, but its height is also recorded on a marker stone at the spot as 842 m. The Kahle Asten is therefore only the third highest mountain in the region, but the most well known by far. Part of the Rhine-Weser watershed runs over the Kahler Asten , and the Lenne also has its source near the summit. The enclosed spring, which only wells up from time to time,

1428-758: Is located at a height of 820 m and is thus the highest river source in northwest Germany. The Lenne flows west into the Ruhr and on into the Rhine . Another stream, the Odeborn , emerges on the southeast slope of the mountain, whilst the Sonneborn rises on the northeast side and flows southeast. These two streams reach the Weser via the Eder and Fulda rivers. There is a permanent German Weather Service weather station on

1512-552: Is named “High Sauerland” because two of the highest mountains of the Sauerland mountainous landscape , Langenberg and Kahler Asten are in its territory. With 2,766 ft / 843 m (Langenberg) and 2,762 ft / 842 m (Kahler Asten) these are also the highest mountains of North Rhine-Westphalia . The district was established in 1975 in the reorganization of the districts in North Rhine-Westphalia by merging

1596-749: Is one of the most well-known winter sport regions in the German Central Uplands due to its good snow conditions. The Kahler Asten itself is part of the ski lift complex known as the Skiliftkarussell Winterberg . Hochsauerland Hochsauerlandkreis (meaning “High Sauerland District” in German) is a Kreis (district) in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany . Neighboring districts are Soest , Paderborn , Höxter , Waldeck-Frankenberg , Siegen-Wittgenstein , Olpe , Märkischer Kreis . The district

1680-538: Is the most geologically diverse of the German Mittelgebirge , although it is overwhelmingly dominated by base-poor rocks. The most common rocks lying on the surface are argillaceous shales , slaty ( geschieferte ) greywackes and granite intrusions in the shape of two large igneous rock masses or plutons . The Gießen-Harz surface layer of the Rhenohercynian zone , which is widespread in

1764-876: The Roßtrappe , could indicate an earlier Celtic occupation of the Harz. The Harzgau itself was first mentioned in a deed by the Emperor, Louis the Pious , from the year 814, in which it was referred to by its High German form, Hartingowe . According to the Fulda annals of 852, the Harzgau was occupied by the Harudes and after whom the Harudengau ( Harudorum pagus ) was named. Harud , from which Hard , Hart and Harz are derived, means forest or forested mountains, and

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1848-678: The Fichtel Mountains and Rhenish Massif . They were, however, heavily eroded due to their height (up to 4 km) and were later covered over by Mesozoic rocks. From the Early Cretaceous and into Late Cretaceous times the Harz was uplifted in a single block by tectonic movements and, particularly during the Tertiary period, the younger overlying strata were eroded and the underlying base rock left standing as low mountains. The most important uplift movements were during

1932-551: The Harz Mountains , is a highland area in northern Germany. It has the highest elevations for that region, and its rugged terrain extends across parts of Lower Saxony , Saxony-Anhalt , and Thuringia . The name Harz derives from the Middle High German word Hardt or Hart (hill forest). The name Hercynia derives from a Celtic name and could refer to other mountain forests , but has also been applied to

2016-674: The Inner German border ran through the Harz, the west belonging to the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the east to the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Today the Harz forms a popular tourist destination for summer hiking as well as winter sports. About 700,000 to 350,000 years ago Homo erectus hunted in and around the Harz near Bilzingsleben (Thuringia), Hildesheim and Schöningen (Lower Saxony). The Neanderthals entered

2100-761: The Kahle Asten is often said to be the highest mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia or even sometimes in the whole of northwest Germany, because it is shown on the WDR weather map. In fact the highest peak is the 843.1-metre-high Langenberg on the state border with Hesse ; and the nearby summit of the Hegekopf (842.9 m) in Hesse , where the Rothaar Mountains merge into the Upland near Willingen ,

2184-421: The Kahler Asten which is part of the weather bureau at Essen. It has contributed significantly to the public's awareness of the mountain. The summit of the Kahler Asten is part of a mountain heath. Because many rare and threatened species live there, it has been placed under conservation protection as part of the Kahler Asten nature reserve and Special Area of Conservation (48.69 ha). Hardly any trees grow on

2268-470: The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system it is classified as Cfb ( warm-summer oceanic ), but bordering Dfb ( warm-summer humid continental/hemiboreal ) and also Cfc ( subpolar oceanic ), as only four months have a mean temperature above 10°C; when using the 0°C rather than the -3°C threshold, it is even Dfb proper, like many locations in the higher reaches of Germany's uplands. Erroneously,

2352-588: The Wolkenhäuschen ("Little House in the Clouds") on the Brocken. As a young man, the famous German poet, Goethe visited the Harz several times and had a number of important lifetime experiences. These included his walks on the Brocken and his visit to the mines in Rammelsberg. Later, his observations of the rocks on the Brocken led to his geological research. His first visit to the Harz awakened in him

2436-528: The common beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) is often the only tree species. In lower, drier locations the English oak ( Quercus robur ) and sessile oak ( Quercus petraea ) occur as well. Sycamore trees ( Acer pseudoplatanus ) may be found growing in wetter places. During times of decay and rejuvenation when there is plenty of light, light-dependent pioneers such as rowan ( Sorbus aucuparia ), silver birch ( Betula pendula ) and pussy willow ( Salix caprea ) play

2520-401: The geology of the Harz . The Brocken is the highest summit in the Harz with an elevation of 1,141.1 metres (3,744 ft) above sea level . The Wurmberg (971 metres (3,186 ft)) is the highest peak located entirely within the state of Lower Saxony. The Harz has a length of 110 kilometres (68 mi), stretching from the town of Seesen in the northwest to Eisleben in the east, and

2604-434: The peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus ) and ring ouzel ( Turdus torquatus ). The peregrine, which is threatened with extinction here, needs steep rock outcrops with little vegetation. After its population had died out in the Harz, a breeding pair was re-established in the region. A crucial contribution has been made by extensive efforts to promote quiet areas in the ancestral breeding grounds of this shy species. Since 1980,

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2688-487: The pygmy owl ( Glaucidium passerinum ) which is threatened with extinction and which lives in the submontane to subalpine zones within mixed and pine forests interspersed with open areas. They prefer spruce woods for breeding, but feed in more open stands of trees or on open moorland. Like the black stork , the pygmy owl had long since disappeared from the Harz, but returned in the 1980s of its own volition, as its ancestral homeland once again became more natural, so that there

2772-491: The Brocken without special permission, and the lighting of fires was forbidden. The first attempts at forest conservation in the Harz were centred on the Brocken, and began with a far-sighted nature conservation act over 275 years ago. In 1718, Count Christian Ernest of the House of Stolberg issued an ordinance in which destruction or damage to the forest on the Brocken would be severely punished. In 1736, Christian Ernest also built

2856-648: The Harudes were the residents or dwellers in the Harud. Of more recent origin are settlements whose names end in –rode , a suffix that is first discernable in the Harzgau from the mid-9th century. Where the founders of these villages came from is unknown. Charlemagne declared the Harz a restricted imperial forest or Reichsbannwald . The Saxon Mirror ( Sachsenspiegel ), the oldest German law book ( Rechtsbuch ), probably published around 1220/30 at Falkenstein Castle in

2940-409: The Harz are some of the best preserved in central Europe. They were formed at the end of the last ice age about 10,000 years ago. A significant proportion of the vegetation on these raised bogs is made up of peat mosses ( Sphagnum spec. ). The flarks ( Schlenken ) and the hummocks ( Bulten ) are home to different species of flora. In the flarks, for example, Sphagnum cuspidatum is found, whereas

3024-475: The Harz is one of the regions of Germany that experiences the most rainfall, its water power was used from early times. Today the dams are primarily used to generate electricity , to provide drinking water , to prevent flooding and to supply water in times of scarcity. Modern dam-building began in the Harz with the construction of the Söse Valley Dam , which was built between 1928 and 1931. The dams of

3108-463: The Harz point to the use of this prehistoric adhesive by Neanderthals about 50,000 years ago. The Upper Palaeolithic Revolution , about 40,000 years ago, saw Homo sapiens move from Africa into Europe, including to the Harz region, where they appear to have ousted the Neanderthals and subsequently settled here. Many discoveries in the Harz, such as the bronze club of Thale, which was found by

3192-793: The Harz rocks is displayed on the Jordanshöhe near Sankt Andreasberg near the car park (see photo). The formation and geological folding of the Harz hills began during a prominent phase of the Palaeozoic era, in the course of the Hercynian mountain building of the Carboniferous period , about 350 to 250 million years ago. At that time in the history of the Earth , numerous high mountains appeared in Western Europe, including

3276-609: The Harz, consists mainly of flysch . Well-known and economically important are the limestone deposits around Elbingerode and the Gabbro of Bad Harzburg . The landscapes of the Harz are characterised by steep mountain ridges, stone runs , relatively flat plateaus with many raised bogs and long, narrow V-shaped valleys , of which the Bode Gorge , the Oker and Selke valleys are the best known. A representative cross-section of all

3360-672: The Harz: Goslar and Göttingen in the west, Harz and Mansfeld-Südharz in the north and east, and Nordhausen in the south. The districts of the Upper Harz are Goslar and Göttingen (both in Lower Saxony), whilst the Lower Harz is on the territory of Harz and Mansfeld-Südharz districts (both in Saxony-Anhalt). The Upper Harz is generally higher and features fir forests, whilst the Lower Harz gradually descends into

3444-1112: The Oker. The Hassel , the Selke and the Holtemme (whose main tributary is the Zillierbach ) flow into the Bode. The Wipper is fed by the Eine . The Rhume is joined by the Söse and the Oder; the latter being fed by the Sieber . The Zorge , the Wieda and the Uffe all flow into the Helme. → See List of hills in the Harz → See List of rock formations (crags, tors, etc.) in the Harz Climatically

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3528-623: The Rothaargebirge and other parts of the Sauerland. In very clear weather, even the Brocken mountain in the Harz ( Saxony-Anhalt ), 163 km away, can be seen without the aid of binoculars. Plans for a monument on the Kahler Asten go back to the Vormärz period in the first half of the 19th century. As early as 1843 King Frederick William IV of Prussia visited the Kahler Asten. At the time it

3612-421: The Selke valley, later made the imperial restriction clear: "Whoever rides through the Harz Forest, must unstring his bow and crossbow and keep dogs on a line – only crowned royalty ( gekrönte Häupter ) are allowed to hunt here". Eike von Repkow's Sachsenspiegel which, for centuries, formed the basis on which German law was administered, described the Harz as a place where wild animals are guaranteed protection in

3696-421: The Upper Harz lakes are some of the oldest dams in Germany that are still in operation. → See List of dams in the Harz The largest rivers in the Harz are the Innerste , the Oker and the Bode in the north; the Wipper in the east; and the Oder in the south. The Innerste merges into the Leine and its tributaries are the Nette and the Grane . The rivers Radau , Ecker and Ilse all discharge into

3780-546: The animals in these streams need to be well suited to high velocities. Only a few species, such as fish, swim actively against the stream. The most common species are brown trout ( Salmon trutta forma fario ) and bullhead ( Cottus gobio ). Much richer in variety, by contrast, is the range of species in the system of crevices under the streambed. In addition to the insects and fish hatchlings that thrive here, may be found protozoons , flatworms ( Turbellaria ) and water mites ( Hygrobatoidea ). Other species of animals cling fast to

3864-430: The beech woods, with their abundance of dead wood, are the black woodpecker ( Dryocopus martius ) and stock dove ( Columba oenas ). An indication of the natural state of the beech woods in the Harz is the return of the black stork ( Ciconia nigra ). This shy and susceptible resident of richly diverse deciduous and mixed forest has become very rare in central Europe due to increasing disturbance of its habitat (caused by

3948-486: The common beech gives way to hardier deciduous species such as sycamore, large-leaved lime ( Tilia platyphyllos ), Scots elm or ash. The herbaceous layer is similar to that of the better-nourished beech woods. Notable species amongst the plant communities here include the Alpine blue-sow-thistle ( Cicerbita alpina ), perennial honesty ( Lunaria rediviva ), hard shield fern ( Polystichum aculeatum ) and long beech fern ( Phegopteris connectilis ). The raised bogs in

4032-430: The drier hummocks and occasionally the cross-leaved heath ( Erica tetralix ) may be found. Typical grasses are the sheathed cottongrass ( Eriophorum vaginatum ), known for its bright, white clusters of fruit and deergrass ( Scirpus cespitosus ), which is rust-red in the autumn. One fascinating moorland plant is the round-leaved sundew ( Drosera rotundifolia ). Bog or northern bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) grows on

4116-427: The drier margins of the bog. A multitude of wild animals live in the beech forests of the Harz Mountains. Over 5,000 species, most of them insects, have their home in these woods. They include many species that help to decompose leaves and work them into the soil and ground cover, including springtails , oribatid mites , woodlice , roundworms , millipedes , earthworms and snails . Characteristic breeding birds in

4200-505: The earlier, serious destruction of the cave's features by Vandals . The first Harz 'rangers' were formed. In 1705, the last bear was killed in the Harz, on the Brocken. The steadily increasing consumption of wood by the pits and smelting works led to overexploitation of the forests and, from about 1700, to their outright destruction. There were no less than 30,000 charcoal piles in the Harz. In 1707, an order by Count Ernst of Stolberg forbade Brocken guides to take strangers or local folk to

4284-421: The far east, the mountains merge into the East Harz foothills (Harz district, Saxony-Anhalt), which are dominated by the Selke Valley. Part of the south Harz lies in the Thuringian district of Nordhausen. The Harz National Park is located in the Harz; the protected area covers the Brocken and surrounding wilderness area. Approximately 600,000 people live in towns and villages of the Harz Mountains. Because of

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4368-413: The heath include the meadow pipit and tree pipit . The black grouse used to breed here, but the population died out decades ago. There is an observation tower on the summit of the Kahler Asten immediately next to the hotel - restaurant called the Astenturm (Asten tower). From the platform of the tower, which is 862 m above  sea level (NN) , there is a superb all-round view over

4452-410: The heath, because the vegetation is kept short by sheep grazing. In places, however, natural reforestation has already taken a strong hold because the grazing is insufficient. Through manual intervention using chain saws and strimmers, attempts are being made to stop this reforestation. The vegetation consists mainly of common heather ( Calluna vulgaris ), mat-grass and subshrubs . Breeding birds on

4536-427: The heavy rainfall in the region the rivers of the Harz Mountains were dammed from an early date. Examples of such masonry dams are the two largest: the Oker Dam and the Rappbode Dam . The clear, cool water of the mountain streams was also dammed by early mountain folk to form the various mountain ponds of the Upper Harz waterways, such as the Oderteich . The 17 dams in the Harz block a total of twelve rivers. Because

4620-401: The high mountains of southern and eastern Europe. The waterways, with their distinct mountain stream character, play an important role right across the Harz. In comparison with the other natural regions of Lower Saxony, they are still very natural and varied, and the water is very clean. As a result of the high water velocity of the Harz streams, flowers rarely gain a foothold in the water. Even

4704-476: The higher regions are, as in most of the Harz, comparatively poor in nutrients and bases, so that only a few herbaceous plants occur here, such as heath bedstraw ( Galium saxatile ). For that reason it is more the ferns, mosses, lichens and fungi that, in addition to spruce trees, characterise these woods. Boulders and stone runs occur in the areas of weather-resistant rock in the high (alti-)montane and montane zones – these are extreme habitats for vegetation. Due to

4788-424: The hills lie the Cretaceous layers of the sub-Hercynian depression in the rolling hills of the Harz Foreland; south of the Harz, Permian sediments lie flat on southwest-dipping Palaeozoic beds. As a result of the northern fault zone and the vertical or, sometimes even overfolded, geological strata, the geology of the Harz sometimes changes frequently within a relatively small area of just a few square kilometres. As

4872-526: The hummocks are preferred by Sphagnum magellanicum . The blanket of peat moss is penetrated by dwarf bushes such as cowberry and blueberry . Bog-rosemary ( Andromeda polifolia ) is a relict of the ice age. Other such ice age plants include the dwarf birch ( Betula nana ) and few-flowered sedge ( Carex pauciflora ). Cranberries ( Vaccinium oxicoccus ) bloom from May to June. The black crowberry ( Empetrum nigrum ) may also be seen amongst those bearing black fruit. Common heather (Calluna vulgaris) grows on

4956-478: The king's restricted forests . There were three restricted forests, so described, in the state of Saxony, where there was no longer unfettered access for everyone. This ban did not last forever. Mining, ironworks, water management, increasing settlement, woodland clearances, cattle driving, agriculture, and later tourism all undermined this imperial protection over the centuries. As early as 1224, monks who had settled in Walkenried bought extensive tracts of forest in

5040-443: The lack of soil material, only weak, straggly, very open spruce woods thrive here. They have an especially high variety of trees and allow more room of light-loving species such as silver birch, rowan, sycamore, willow and dwarf bushes such as the blueberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus ). Mosses and ferns are also common here. One unusual species is the Carpathian birch ( Betula pubescens subsp. carpatica ). Bog-spruce woods are found around

5124-405: The mountain at its summit through an exhibition called the Kahler Asten - the roof of Westphalia . The central themes of the exhibition are the nature reserve with its mountain heath, the weather station and the history of the Asten tower. In addition clips of amateur film from past decades are shown. The Kahler Asten and the surrounding area, with its sister mountains, out to about 40 kilometres

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5208-429: The mountain range exceed 1,000 m above NN on the Brocken massif. Its highest peak is the Brocken (1,141 m), its subsidiary peaks are the Heinrichshöhe (1,044 m) to the southeast and the Königsberg (1,023 m) to the southwest. Other prominent hills in the Harz are the Acker- Bruchberg ridge (927 m), the Achtermannshöhe (925 m) and the Wurmberg (971 m) near Braunlage . In

5292-414: The near-natural habitat there are only a few, indigenous, genetically adapted ( autochthonous ) spruce trees. Wood-reed spruce woods dominate. A well developed ground vegetation thrives on their moderately rocky and fresh, but certainly not wet, soils, characterised in appearance especially by grasses such as shaggy wood-reed ( Calamagrostis villosa ) and wavy hair-grass ( Avenella flexuosa ). The soils in

5376-427: The oldest, first, deepest feelings of truth. On 23 March 1798, the last wolf was killed in the Harz near the Plessenburg. The count's guest house on the Heinrichshöhe had become too small and suffered from overcrowding; in 1799 it burned down. In 1800, a new guest house was built on the Brocken to replace it. Around 1800, large swathes of the Harz were deforested. The less resistant spruce monoculture, that arose as

5460-414: The previous districts Arnsberg, Brilon and Meschede. Geographically the district covers a big part of the Sauerland mountains, including the highest and third highest elevation – the Langenberg near Olsberg with 2,766 ft / 843 m, and the better known Kahler Asten with 2,762 ft / 842 m near Winterberg . These are also the two highest mountains of North Rhine-Westphalia . The coat of arms

5544-739: The raised bogs on marshy and boggy soils. In these sorts of places spruce woods can, in exceptional cases, also form the natural woodland in lower down the mountains. These wet, moorland woods have a high proportion of peat mosses ( Sphagnum spec. ). The ground vegetation may also have a rich proliferation of low bushes such as cowberry ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea ). Clumps of purple moor grass ( Molinia caerulea ) are also typical of this type of woodland habitat. The characteristic species of fungi in natural spruce woods are Phellinus viticola and prunes and custard ( Tricholomopsis decora ). Ravine ( Schluchtwald ), riparian ( Auwald ) and river source ( Quellwald ) woods only occur in small areas. In these places

5628-415: The rich food supplies of the mountain brooks. In 2000, the lynx was successfully reintroduced by the Harz National Park , and it has since fitted well into the ecology of the region. Through specific conservation measures in past years, the retreat of the bat population in the Harz has been halted. Amongst the mammals that may be hunted are the red deer , roe deer , wild boar and mouflon . The Harz

5712-451: The same time, the restaurant was built. New modification plans were started in 1930 and implemented in 1937. During the Second World War the tower was almost completely destroyed by a direct hit from artillery. The repair of war damage was not completed until 1955. In 1967 the damaged slate sheathing had to be replaced by copper. In 1995 an exhibition room was added. In 2004 ownership of the tower passed to Westphalia-Lippe Property Management,

5796-408: The silver mining industry in the Upper Harz and in Goslar. In the middle of the 14th century, the settlements in the Harz became heavily depopulated as a result of the Black Death , and a systematic resettlement of mining villages in the Upper Harz did not take place until the first half of the 16th century. In 1588, the Nordhausen doctor, Johannes Thal, published the first book on regional flora in

5880-660: The spruce woods, more open beech forest with its higher population of small mammals in its search for food. For cover, however, it prefers the darker, denser spruce trees. A large number of the animals that live in natural spruce forest are suited to the special conditions of life in the higher parts of the Harz. Typical residents amongst the bird population include the crested tit ( Parus cristatus ), goldcrest and firecrest ( Regulus regulus and Regulus ignicapillus ), siskin ( Carduelis spinus ), treecreeper ( Certhia familiaris ), coal tit ( Parus ater ) and crossbill ( Loxia curvirostra ). Special mention should be made here of

5964-404: The stage about 250,000 years ago and hunted aurochs , bison , brown bear and cave bear , mammoths , rhinos , horses , reindeer , forest elephants and other animals in the Harz region. Tools used by Neanderthals were discovered inter alia in the Einhorn Cave in the southern Harz (100,000 years ago) and in the Rübeland Caves. Finds of birch pitch near Aschersleben on the northern edge of

6048-494: The stones, e. g. caddis fly larvae ( Trichoptera ) and snails , or can only live in the reduced water velocities on the bed of the stream or on stones by having flat body shapes, e. g. stonefly larvae. In the calmer parts of the stream, behind stones or in blankets of moss, there are also water beetles ( Hydrophilidae ) and small shrimp-like amphipods . Occasionally the golden-ringed dragonfly ( Cordulegaster boltoni ) and beautiful demoiselle ( Calopteryx virgo ),

6132-493: The sub-Hercynian phase (83  mya ), when the northern edge was steeply tilted. This formed a fault zone on the northern border of the Harz (the Northern Harz Boundary Fault or Harznordrandverwerfung ). The Harz is a fault-block range, that rises abruptly from the surrounding lowlands in the west and northeast and gradually dips towards the south. It is dissected by numerous deep valleys. North of

6216-556: The subsequent legal action. By 1889 the district administrator was able to persuade private donors and the Westphalian provincial association to provide the means to rebuild the tower. It was opened in 1895. Since 1900 the tower has been an official monument of the Province of Westphalia . Since 1918 the tower has also been a weather station. The first renovations were needed in 1923 as a result of weather-induced metal fatigue. At

6300-492: The surrounding area and has deciduous forests interspersed with meadows. The dividing line between Upper and Lower Harz follows approximately a line from Ilsenburg to Bad Lauterberg , which roughly separates the catchment areas for the Weser (Upper Harz) and Elbe (Lower Harz). Only on the southeastern perimeter of the Upper Harz, which is also called the High Harz ( Hochharz ) (Goslar, Göttingen and Harz districts), does

6384-500: The town of Goslar , and mines became established in the following centuries throughout the mountains. During the Middle Ages , ore from this region was exported along trade routes to far-flung places, such as Mesopotamia . The wealth of the region declined after these mines became exhausted in the early 19th century. People abandoned the towns for a short time, but prosperity eventually returned with tourism. Between 1945 and 1990,

6468-466: The western Harz, to secure economically the one quarter of the Rammelsberg ore profits promised to them by Frederick Barbarossa in 1129. From that it can be deduced that there was already a shortage of wood then. From the 12th to the 14th centuries, large parts of the Harz were managed economically by the Cistercian Abbey of Walkenried . As well as agriculture and fishing, they also controlled

6552-520: The world, Silva hercynia , in which he described the flowers specific to the Harz. In 1668, Rudolph Augustus, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg granted the first conservation order for Baumann's Cave . The ducal decree stated, inter alia , that the cave should be permanently preserved by all those responsible as a special, natural wonder. It also stated that nothing should be spoiled or destroyed, and that groups of ordinary strangers should not be allowed to enter without prior arrangement. A resident mine worker

6636-437: Was entrusted to oversee the natural monument . Until the issue of this conservation order, there had only been an order for the protection of the forest, which had been issued by the ruling princes for real, practical considerations. But for the first time the 1668 cave order took ethical-aesthetic considerations into account. The year 1668 was the birth of classic nature conservation in the Harz. The order had been precipitated by

6720-486: Was first mentioned as Hartingowe in an 814 deed by the Carolingian King Louis the Pious . Settlement within the mountains began only 1000 years ago, as in ancient times dense forests made the region almost inaccessible. The suffix -rode (from German : roden , to stub) denotes a place where woodland had been cleared to develop a settlement. The year 968 saw the discovery of silver deposits near

6804-672: Was inherited from the former district Arnsberg . It shows the eagle as the symbol of the Earls of Arnsberg. When their county lost independence in 1368 it fell to the bishops of Cologne , thus the sign on the breast of the eagle shows the Cologne cross. Hochsauerland is twinned with the following areas: [REDACTED] Media related to Hochsauerlandkreis at Wikimedia Commons 51°15′N 8°20′E  /  51.25°N 8.33°E  / 51.25; 8.33 Harz The Harz ( German: [haːɐ̯ts] ), also called

6888-624: Was planned to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Treaty of Verdun by building an observation tower as a monument. This treaty sealed the division of the Carolingian Empire into three kingdoms: West Francia , East Francia and Lotharingia and was seen as the beginning of the separate development of the French and German nations. During the 1848 year of revolutions the Asten tower

6972-525: Was sufficient food to support it (insects, small mammals and small birds) as well as standing dead wood (spruce trees with woodpecker holes). In addition to the many species of birds, there is a range of large butterflies in the various spruce woods that, outside of the Harz, are seriously endangered or simply non-existent. Two species will be mentioned here as examples. Gnophos sordarius occurs in old, open wood-reed spruce forest, sometimes in connection with stone runs or bog spruce forests; Enthephria caesiata

7056-521: Was the target of a demonstration for the aims of the March revolution and of German unity. Plans for a monument were not taken any further, however, until 1881. The foundation stone was laid on 22 June 1884 by the district administrator, Federath, in the presence of numerous honoured guests. In the same year the construction of a tower began. The 25-meter-high skeleton fell victim to an autumn storm, however. Rumours of faulty construction could not be proven in

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