The Harz is the highest mountain range in northern Germany 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
(mountain forest), Latinized as Hercynia. The legendary Brocken is the highest summit in the Harz with a height
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 Lower Saxony. The Harz Mountains is the land of German fairy tales. Steep-roofed houses with
tiny windows and narrow, cobblestone streets. Dark forests, rushing streams and stormy mountains. There is
something familiar about these little towns tucked in deep, wooded valleys. These were the scenes of childhood
stories: the home of wicked witches, dwarves digging in caverns under the earth and poor woodcutters in lonely
cottages. The Brothers Grimm collected their stories from various places, primarily the area around Kassel
about 40 miles to the west, but the Harz Mountains have long been famous as an important source of German
folklore. Many of these stories are well-known outside of Germany as well: Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel,
Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Tom Thumb, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, The Frog Prince, and The Wolf
and the Seven Kids.
The 19-Lachter tunnel was once one of the most important facilities of the Upper Harz silver mines. It served
as a water drainage tunnel to divert water from higher ground pits, which allowed the operation of many other
mines. An impression of the depth in which the miners worked, can be viewed at "flutlichterhellten", 261 meter
deep shaft. The status of Goslar Palatinate as an important part of the German Empire was secured for over 150
years by the German kings' fondness for this town and its associated silver mining industry. The Imperial Palace
(kaiserpfalz), with one of the largest roofed hall's built in the Middle Ages, is a Romanesque masterpiece.
Thirteen kings and emperors, including Henry IV (1050-1106),who was born here, Frederick Barbrossa (1122-1256),
to William of Holland (1122-1256) have held court here. The Imperial Palace once formed a unique architectural
ensemble with the Goslar Cathedral. The cathedral was demolished in 1819, and only the porch of the north
portal remains (Domvorhalle), which clearly reflects the sculptural decoration of the whole cathedral. The most
important exhibit is the Imperial Chair; the throne of Kings and Emperors and thus the centre of the German
Reich. Since the 19th century, paintings have adorned the walls of the hall in the Imperial palace, reflecting
the early history to the present. Of all the valuable treasures left here the most symbolic, must be by Heinrich
III (1017-1056): who left his heart in the Harz. His body was buried at the Speyer Cathedral, but his heart is
resting at his request in Goslar in the chapel of St. Ulrich.
We hope that this impression of Camping Okertalsperre has made you curious. But of course we can never let you
really feel and taste the right atmosphere of the Oker Valley by photo's or a web page. You'll have to come
over and try us in person. That's why we hope to welcome you soon on our beautiful camping site.
Martin, Hilda, Jurjen and Veronica.
