Goslar

Goslar, a former free imperial city on the northern edge of the Harz mountains, owed its prosperity to the mineral wealth of the Harz Mountains and particularly to the Rammelsberg mines, which were mined for lead and silver during the Middle Ages. It was also the favorite residence of the Salian emperors (1024-1125), particularly Heinrich III, IV and V. The city's rise reached its high point at the beginning of the 16th century when profit accrued from the vast forests whose timber was used to fire the metal refineries. It was also during this time that many of the beautiful half-timbered houses (Fachwerkhäuser) were built.

After 1550 religious controversy brought discord between the Free city and the Dukes of Braunschweig, who ownedf the mines. Goslar's brilliance waned as a result. In the 19th century Goslar, by now under Prussian rule, revived and prospered to a limited extent commercially as a regional center.