The old mining and trading town of Stolberg, birthplace of the 16th C peasant leader Thomas Müntzer and now a popular holiday resort, is beautifully situated in three narrow and deeply indented valleys in the Southern Harz. With its romantic winding lanes and colorful half-timbered houses richly decorated with carving, it is a town of thoroughly medieval aspect.
At Thomas-Müntzer-Gasse 19 in Stolberg is a richly decorated half-timbered building of 1535 which formerly housed the Mint, Consistory and District Court. It is now occupied by the Heimatmuseum, with the old Mint workshop and a Thomas Müntzer memorial room.
The burgher's house adjoining the Museum (c. 1450), at Rittergasse 14, is believed to be the oldest house in Stolberg. Its six small rooms give some impression of the living conditions of medieval craftsmen.
Over the town of Stolberg, on a steep-sided crag, looms the Schloss (1200; newer part 1539-47), once the seat of the Counts Stolberg. In the south, west and southeast wings are a number of interesting rooms with stucco decoration. The neo-classical Red Hall in the southeast wing was designed by K. F. Schinkel. In a 13th C tower and a round outside tower is the castle chapel.
Between the Markt and the Schloss in Stolberg, on the slopes of the hill, stands St Martin's Church (1485-90, with some earlier work), a Late Gothic aisled basilica with a richly furnished interior. In April 1525 Luther preached here against the peasant rising led by Thomas Müntzer.
Northwest of the church is the aisleless St Mary's Chapel (consecrated 1482).
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