Experience Berta, the Kiepenfrau: stories from the Harz!

Experience Berta, the Kiepenfrau: stories from the Harz!

An exciting event is coming up here in Osterode am Harz: on Saturday, July 19, 2025, the city's tourist information office invites you to a special city tour. Under the title “With Berta, the Kiepenfrau, through Osterode”, participants will gain a deep insight into the fascinating world of the Kiepenfrauen, who once traveled through the region with their goods and stories. The tour takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is open to anyone interested in learning more about these extraordinary women.

These Kiepenfrauen played an important role in Harz society by not only transporting goods, but also carrying news and wisdom from village to village. Berta herself will talk about her everyday life and the challenges she had to face. The aim of the tour is to revitalize the social role of these remarkable women and to appropriately honor their commitment. The meeting point is in front of the tourist information at the city wall, Aegidienstraße 16 in Osterode am Harz. Participation costs €8.00 per person, while children and young people up to 16 years of age can come along free of charge. Registration is not required, so just come along!

A look into the history of the Kiepenwomen

The first depictions of the Kiepen women date back to the 16th century. These women shaped the image of the Harz region until the first third of the 20th century. Often referred to as the “camels of the Upper Harz”, they transported loads of over 40 kilograms in a keep, a basket system made of woven willow. For many mining and forestry families, they were the lifeline, as their wages often served as additional income to the family income. Especially in the winter months, they maintained contact with the plains and exchanged goods and information that were of great importance in rural areas. Their tasks were varied and included transporting food, alcohol and wool, as well as caring for the forest.

As “powder workers,” some of them transported black powder, while others, as “country walkers,” brought fresh products or contributed to the care of the forests as “cultural women.” Their strength and patience made them a tireless force of nature. Interestingly, the Kiepen women took advantage of every free minute and often knitted while they were on their way. Pregnancies didn't stop her from working; They often carried their small children with them in their cot or “nenne”. Reports even show births along the way. But the hard work also had its downsides: loss of health often led to begging when there was no family.

Tourism and Kiepenfrauen

With the rise of tourism in the Harz, the Kiepenfrauen gained a new area of ​​work and became popular Harz guides. Many hiking trails in the Upper Harz now follow the old paths that were once used by these strong women. A small literary legacy has developed around the topics of Kiepenfrauen and errand runners. We would like to recommend the works “Kräuterweiber, Kiepenfrauen und Errandinnen im Harz” from Goslar (1991) and Uwe Lagatz’s “Wegweiser und Harzführer” from Wernigerode (2011), which shed light on the fascinating lives of these women in detail.

Anyone who is interested in the stories and lives of the Kiepen women should not miss the tour of Osterode. It will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in the past while strolling through the beautiful streets of this historic city.