Nordhausen

Germany

Nordhausen is a 44 000 inhabitant town in Thuringia. It is situated within the greater Harz area.

In Germany Nordhausen is a household name, mostly for the "Nordhäuser Doppelkorn" that has been produced here continuously since at least 1507, when the first mention of a tax on locally produced liquor was made. Korn or its higher alcohol variety Doppelkorn is a distilled spirit made from grain, usually rye.

Just out of town lies one of the most notorious concentration camps on German soil from World War II. Mittelbau-Dora is the site where forced laborers had to produce V2 rockets that were later fired on London, Antwerp and other cities throughout the Western front in the waning months of the war. Despite the deadliness of the weapon itself, conditions in the forced labor camps were so horrific that actually more people died producing V2 than through its actual use.

A V2 rocket engine on display at the Dora-Mittelbau KZ memorial

  • KZ Gedenkstätte Mittelbau Dora, Kohnsteinweg 20, +49 3631 495 80. Tuesday to Sunday10:00-16:00 (winter) 10:00-18:00 (summer). Just out of town this Nazi-era concentration camp is where forced laborers built the V2 rockets that were fired on London and Antwerp. The conditions for the forced laborers were truly horrific and visiting this place can be a disturbing experience. free, donations welcomed.
  • IFA Musem Nordhausen, Montaniastraße 13, +49 3631 47 91 54 3. Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00-17:00. A technology museum with the focus on engines and locomotives 4€ (regular) 2€ (reduced) 15€ (tour group) youth under 16: free.

KZ Gedenkstätte Mittelbau Dora, Kohnsteinweg 20, +49 3631 495 80. Tuesday to Sunday10:00-16:00 (winter) 10:00-18:00 (summer). Just out of town this Nazi-era [[Holocaust remembrance|concentration camp]] is where forced laborers built the V2 rockets that were fired on London and Antwerp. The conditions for the forced laborers were truly horrific and visiting this place can be a disturbing experience. free, donations welcomed.

IFA Musem Nordhausen, Montaniastraße 13, +49 3631 47 91 54 3. Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00-17:00. A technology museum with the focus on engines and locomotives 4€ (regular) 2€ (reduced) 15€ (tour group) youth under 16: free.

Südharz Galerie, Landgrabenstraße 6a, +49 3631 90 94 0.

Echte Nordhäuser Marktpassage, Pferdemarkt 1.

  • India Namaste, Töpferstraße 31, +49 3631 46 28 94. Indian food and takeaway. No delivery.
  • Restauran bar fuss, Altendorf 1, +49 3631 65 15 87 0. mains 10€ to 20€.

India Namaste, Töpferstraße 31, +49 3631 46 28 94. Indian food and takeaway. No delivery.

Restauran bar fuss, Altendorf 1, +49 3631 65 15 87 0. mains 10€ to 20€.

  • Traditionsbrennerei, Grimmelallee 11, +49 3631 63 63 63. As mentioned above, Nordhausen is famous for its Doppelkorn and no visit to the city would be complete without a visit to the distillery. There is an on site shop and tasting is included in the tour (mon-sat. 14:00). The factory is well reachable by tram line 2 and you should take the tram for DUI considerations if nothing else. 6€ including tasting (regular) 3€ (reduced) 1€ for school groups (advance notice required).

Traditionsbrennerei, Grimmelallee 11, +49 3631 63 63 63. As mentioned above, Nordhausen is famous for its Doppelkorn and no visit to the city would be complete without a visit to the distillery. There is an on site shop and tasting is included in the tour (mon-sat. 14:00). The factory is well reachable by tram line 2 and you should take the tram for DUI considerations if nothing else. 6€ including tasting (regular) 3€ (reduced) 1€ for school groups (advance notice required).

  • This town is a good entry point for the rest of the Harz area.