Goslar

Lore & Background

Goslar's settlement on the Gose creek was first mentioned in a 979 deed by Emperor Otto II, likely already a royal palace. Its importance grew after extensive silver deposits were discovered at the nearby Rammelsberg. Under the Salian emperors, Goslar became a central place of assembly, with Conrad II laying foundations for the new Imperial Palace in 1025. Henry III stayed at the palace about twenty times, and his son Henry IV was born there in 1050. Henry IV also had Goslar Cathedral erected, consecrated in 1051. The cathedral's northern porch survived; the main building was torn down in the early 19th century.

During the Saxon revolts of 1077–1088, Goslar citizens sided with anti-king Rudolf of Rheinfelden and Hermann of Salm, who was crowned king in Goslar in 1081, giving the town Imperial City status. Later, Frederick Barbarossa appointed Henry the Lion as Imperial Vogt of the mines, but after Henry was deposed in 1180, he devastated the Rammelsberg mines. Goslar's importance as an Imperial residence declined after Barbarossa's descendants, with the last Imperial Diet held by Frederick II. The town joined the Hanseatic League in 1267 and by 1290 had obtained Vogt rights, confirming its status as a free imperial city. Goslar town law and mining law (codified 1359) set examples for other municipalities.

Reader's Guide

Goslar's significance lies in its dual role as a political center of the Holy Roman Empire and a major mining hub. The Rammelsberg silver mines provided enormous wealth that funded imperial ambitions, making Goslar a frequent residence for emperors from Henry III to Frederick Barbarossa. The town's political importance is reflected in its hosting of Imperial Diets, synods, and the coronation of Hermann of Salm. Its legacy as a free imperial city and Hanseatic member underscores its medieval autonomy. The UNESCO World Heritage designation recognizes the millennium-long testimony of ore mining and the preserved timber-framed Old Town. Today, Goslar awards the Kaiserring annually to an international artist, called the 'Nobel Prize' of the art world, maintaining its cultural relevance. The town's history illustrates the interplay between imperial power, mining wealth, and civic independence in medieval Germany.

Did You Know?

• Goslar's name probably comes shortened from 'Goselager', of the stream 'Gose' and Lager.
• The Kaiserring award is called the 'Nobel Prize' of the art world.
• Goslar citizens signed the Lutheran Formula of Concord in 1577.
• The lowest point in Goslar is 175 m near the Oker river.