Elevating Tourism: The Brocken's New Era Begins
Brockon's Summit Undergoes Ownership Switch
The Brocken, a legendary mountain in the Harz range, known for its mythical tales and prominent symbol of German reunification, has a fresh owner. Harz County purchased the 1,142-meter-high peak for €3.5 million from Sparkasse and Norddeutsche Landesbank.
The acquisition includes nearly 13,000 square meters of land, encompassing the Brocken plateau, Brocken Tower, Tourist Hall, weather station, and an economic building. The county aims to use this investment to boost tourism and make the Brocken a beacon for tourists and locals alike.
County Commissioner Thomas Balcerowski heralded this event as a "historic moment," akin to the construction of Germany's first television tower on the Brocken in 1936 or its opening in 1989 during German reunification. Balcerowski believes this purchase lays the foundation for a sustainable future for tourism on the Brocken.
Last December, the county council voted in favor of constructing a multi-purpose hall on the Brocken plateau. This building will accommodate conferences, concerts, and theater performances for up to 500 visitors.
The goal is to attract more Harz tourists and locals to the Brocken, thereby supporting the Brocken Railway—a 122-year-old narrow-gauge railway line that employs around 250 people.
The Harz, with its enchanting forests, dramatic gorges, and lush moorlands, attracts millions of visitors every year. The Brocken, as the region's highest point, serves as its captivating centerpiece. The mountain has a rich military history, with the GDR using it for surveillance from 1961 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
A portion of the eastern Harz was declared a nature reserve by the last GDR government in September 1990. In 2006, the Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony parts of the national park were combined into a single park. However, in recent years, the Harz forest has suffered significant damage due to drought, bark beetle infestations, and repeated fires.
- Regional Tourism
- German History
- Saxony-Anhalt
Known for its tourist-friendly infrastructure, the Brocken offers attractions like the TorfHaus Visitor Center, the Goethe Trail, and various hiking paths that cater to numerous visitors. The future of the Brocken promises sustainable development, improvements in tourism facilities, cultural and historical promotion, and seasonal events to keep it a sought-after destination.
- The county, with their acquisition of the Brocken, aims to implement a community policy that will promote vocational training for locals, focusing on tourism-related industries to enhance the lifestyle of residents and attract more visitors.
- The upcoming multi-purpose hall on the Brocken plateau is expected to host conferences, concerts, and theater performances, becoming a popular destination for home-and-garden enthusiasts seeking unique travel experiences.
- In light of the Brocken's new ownership, the county council in Saxony-Anhalt plans to incorporate the mountain's rich history into general-news stories and political discussions, fostering a deeper understanding of German history and the region's significance.
