Brocken passes into new hands: historic plans for the summit!

Brocken passes into new hands: historic plans for the summit!

The Brocken, the highest peak in northern Germany and a popular destination for hikers and tourists, has a new owner. The Harz district in Saxony-Anhalt signed the purchase agreement for the top of the mountain, which had been owned by Telekom since 2008, on Thursday. The notoriously visited region will return to public hands for 3.5 million euros. From July 1, 2024, the Brocken and all associated buildings will belong to the district. District Administrator Thomas Balcerowski (CDU) described this day as historic for the region. “There’s something going on,” says Balcerowski, who wants to take care of the Brocken’s touristic development in order to transform it into a true Eldorado for visitors.

The plans are ambitious: a new multi-purpose hall for up to 500 guests is to be built, and a modern reception building is also planned to ensure barrier-free access. These measures aim to significantly improve the tourism infrastructure around the summit and could make the Brocken a real tourism hotspot. Every year around 600,000 passengers travel to the summit on the historic Brocken Railway, which has been operated by steam locomotives since 1992, and this shows the high level of interest in the region. The Brockenbahn, which allows you to enjoy both the breathtaking nature of the Harz National Park and the charming backdrop of the Brocken train station at a height of 1,125 meters, is a crucial part of the tourist offer. Harzer Schmalspurbahn also secures around 250 jobs, which is important for the region.

History and tradition

Did you know that the Brocken has been attracting visitors for centuries? Prominent personalities such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Otto von Bismarck have left their mark here. The first tourist infrastructure developed early on, so the first house on the summit, the so-called “Wolkenhäuschen”, was built in 1736. The history of the Brocken is rich in anecdotes and discoveries that shape today's atmosphere. In the 19th century, the Brockenstrasse was created, replacing the dangerous “Bone Crusher Trail” and bringing hikers safely to the summit. The steam railway network, which has existed since 1899, has also contributed to establishing the Brocken as a tourist destination. The train transmissions and high-altitude experiences continue to attract people today, and there is a wide range of rides available at certain times of the year. Winter on the Brocken, with snow-covered forests, is particularly popular.

The Brocken is not just a simple excursion destination; it is part of the region's cultural identity. The region, which was previously used for military purposes and only became accessible to tourists again in 1989, has changed significantly in the last few decades. Renaturation and the conversion of old military installations into tourist attractions, such as the “Brockenhaus” and the viewing platform of the television tower, now offer visitors new perspectives on this special place. With the newly planned investments, the region will flourish again.

In summary, it will be exciting to see what the next few years will bring for the Brocken Summit. The renovation and expansion plans could usher in a new era for the historic mountain, which is now once again the focus of tourist development under the care of the Harz district. Many are already looking forward to the changes that the Brocken has to offer.