Stolberg (Harz)



 is a town (sometimes itself called 'Harz' in historical references) and a former municipality in the district of Mansfeld-Südharz, in the German Free State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated in the southern part of the Harz mountains, approx. west of Sangerhausen, and northeast of Nordhausen. Since 1 September 2010, it is part of the municipality Südharz.

History
Stolberg was established as a settlement for miners in the year 1000; use of this area for the mining industry can be traced back to the year 794, however. Iron, monel, silver, tin and gold were degraded. Town status was awarded to Stolberg (Harz) before 1300. Coins were stamped in Stolberg since the High Middle Ages. The flowering time of this handcraft was during the 16th century. Mining was discontinued in the 17th century.

Stolberg was the residence and family seat of the medieval Counts of Stolberg. In 1548 it became the seat of Stolberg-Stolberg. In 1738 the counts of Stolberg were forced to recognize the suzerainty of the Electorate of Saxony. The town was awarded to the Kingdom of Prussia in the 1815 Congress of Vienna; Stolberg was subsequently administered in the Prussian Province of Saxony. In 1833, Stolberg had 2,392 inhabitants. At the beginning of the 20th century, Stolberg became a tourist town. In 1923, a railway to Berga–Kelbra was opened. The town has been a health resort since 1946.

Main sights

 * Castle of Stolberg, family seat of the Counts of Stolberg-Stolberg.
 * Town hall
 * St. Martini Church
 * Saigertower
 * Birth house of Thomas Müntzer
 * Großer Auerberg hill (579 m)

International relations
Stolberg, Saxony-Anhalt is twinned with:
 * 🇩🇪 Stolberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
 * 🇩🇪 Hardegsen, Lower Saxony, Germany
 * 🇨🇿 Hodonín, South Moravia, Czech Republic