Imperial Palace of Goslar Castle
Medieval Kaiserpfalz complex in Goslar with imperial halls
A Romanesque imperial palace (Kaiserpfalz) in Goslar, part of the town's UNESCO ensemble. Tourists tour the imperial hall, medieval rooms and nearby Rammelsberg mining museum.
Imperial Palace of Goslar at a Glance#
About Imperial Palace of Goslar#
The Imperial Palace of Goslar (Kaiserpfalz) is a medieval imperial residence in Goslar, Lower Saxony, dating from the 11th century and used by Holy Roman emperors. It is one of the town’s principal historic monuments and forms part of the region’s World Heritage designation.
Visitors can view the palace’s surviving stonework, the reconstructed great hall spaces and courtyards that illustrate the scale and function of a medieval imperial residence. Interpretive displays and guided routes highlight the palace’s role in imperial administration and its architectural development across the medieval period.
The palace was constructed in the 11th century and served as a residence and administrative centre for emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, receiving imperial councils and hosting courts. Over subsequent centuries the complex was altered and parts fell into ruin; modern conservation and archaeological work have stabilised and interpreted the remaining structures.
Situated within the town of Goslar on the northern edge of the Harz mountains in Lower Saxony, the palace overlooks Goslar’s Old Town and is closely associated with the town’s historic urban core.
- World Heritage: The Imperial Palace is part of the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble that includes Goslar’s Old Town and the Rammelsberg mine, recognised for medieval mining and imperial architecture.
What to See#
- Kaisersaal (Imperial Hall): A large medieval great hall and surviving palace foundations that illustrate the layout of the imperial residence used by Holy Roman emperors.
- Palace complex and visitor route: On-site interpretive displays and visitor routes that present the palace’s architecture and its relationship to Goslar’s Old Town and the Rammelsberg mining complex.
How to Get to Imperial Palace of Goslar#
Goslar is served by regional trains from Hanover and Berlin; the town is walkable from the train station (about 15-20 minutes). The palace sits near the old town; follow signs to the Kaiserpfalz/Roßtrappe area.
Tips for Visiting Imperial Palace of Goslar#
- Combine a visit to the Kaiserpfalz with the historic Goslar town centre and the Rammelsberg Mine (a separate UNESCO site) for a fuller day.
- Stand on the raised terrace and imagine imperial assemblies - the acoustics and sight-lines were deliberately theatrical.
- Check seasonal opening times for guided palace tours; winter hours are often reduced.
Best Time to Visit Imperial Palace of Goslar#
Most pleasant in summer and early autumn for walking and combined visits to other World Heritage sites in the area.
Weather & Climate near Imperial Palace of Goslar#
Imperial Palace of Goslar's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (830 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 3° | -5° | 68 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 3° | -4° | 50 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.8h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 7° | -1° | 69 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 2° - 11° | 4° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 69 mm | overcast | 77% | 3.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 84 mm | overcast | 75% | 3.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 12° - 21° | 17° | 77 mm | overcast | 72% | 3.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 73 mm | overcast | 72% | 3.4 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 63 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 6° | 4° | 72 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 82 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
