Cultural
Mines de Rammelsberg, ville historique de Goslar et système de gestion hydraulique du Haut-Harz
Allemagne
Photo : Ymblanter (CC BY-SA 4.0)
This cultural site encompasses three interconnected components in the Harz region of Germany: the Rammelsberg mines, the historic town of Goslar, and the Upper Harz water management system. The Rammelsberg mines represent over a thousand years of metal ore extraction, particularly copper, lead, and zinc, and constitute one of Europe's oldest and most significant mining operations. The medieval town of Goslar developed as a prosperous settlement linked to mining activities and trade, preserving its historic layout and architectural heritage. The hydraulic system of the Upper Harz comprises an extensive network of dams, channels, and reservoirs engineered to supply water power for mining operations and ore processing facilities. Together, these elements document the technical, economic, and urban development of a major mining region from the Middle Ages through the early modern period. The inscription recognises the outstanding testimony these sites provide to medieval and early modern mining practices and their impact on territorial organisation and settlement patterns.
