Quedlinburg’s history is not only written on its façades. Behind the gates of the old town lie courtyards that usually remain private. On the first three weekends of Advent, they open for crafts and regional food – offering a glimpse of the spaces in between that make up the town.
In 2026, “Advent in den Höfen” (Advent in the Courtyards) takes place on 28 and 29 November, 5 and 6 December, and 12 and 13 December, from 11am to 7pm each day. The organisers list more than 20 historic courtyards; the municipal order specifies 24 participating courtyards for the event. The open gates turn a visit into a walk through private and commercial spaces whose walls, rear buildings and passageways often remain hidden on a conventional town tour.
A townscape shaped by many centuries
Quedlinburg’s World Heritage site is an ensemble: its medieval street plan, old town, collegiate church and castle on the Stiftsberg belong together. The town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. According to the town authorities, more than 2,000 surviving half-timbered houses define its appearance; their architectural forms reveal developments spanning several centuries. The courtyards add a second layer to the street views: here, visitors can see how closely homes, workplaces and storage areas were packed together within the historic plots.
A useful complement to the festive opening is the Fachwerkmuseum im Ständerbau (half-timbered architecture museum) on Wordgasse. The building dates from the first half of the 14th century. Its continuous vertical posts support the structure from the base to the roof. The museum explains the development of Quedlinburg’s half-timbered architecture from the 14th to the 19th century. It is both an exhibit in its own right and a place to gain a clearer understanding of the differences between construction methods.
On the Schlossberg, the history reaches further back: in 936, following the death of Henry I, a secular foundation for noblewomen was established. The collegiate church and castle remain a distinct historic focal point alongside the lanes of the old town. Visitors to the courtyards can keep this connection in mind: the World Heritage site comprises grand buildings as well as the densely packed residential quarters below them.
A festival in a living town
Advent in den Höfen offers a special way to explore the town, but it is also a major event held in narrow streets. The town has announced vehicle access restrictions and other limitations in the historic centre on event days. It recommends travelling by train or bus; additional train capacity is planned on the Magdeburg–Quedlinburg route during Advent. Specific services are subject to change, so planning should include checking timetables and allowing enough time to walk from the station to the old town.
Quedlinburg is particularly suited to travellers who want to discover architectural history not just through individual sights, but through the connections between streets, courtyards and the town’s layout. Those seeking peace and quiet or wishing to avoid crowds will find the old town more relaxed outside the Advent event, although the courtyards are not then accessible in this way. Even on event days, they remain private spaces in active use: consideration for residents and businesses is part of any visit.
At a glance
- Best time to visit: For access to the courtyards, the three Advent weekends in 2026; regular visiting hours are 11am to 7pm.
- Getting there: The tourist information office recommends train or bus; check current services.
- Highlights: Historic courtyards, the Fachwerkmuseum im Ständerbau, and the collegiate church and castle on the Stiftsberg.
- Tip for a day trip: Explore the courtyards and old town on foot and include the Stiftsberg in your walk.
- Welterbestadt Quedlinburg and Adventsstadt Quedlinburg.
Original reviewed by the editors · 15 November 2026
