New Karls Erlebnis-Dorf Coming to Wernigerode
Photo: Courtesy of Karls
(eap) The location for another Karls Erlebnis-Dorf has been confirmed: Wernigerode. Precision, speed and team spirit are cited as key factors in the decision, which saw the town in the eastern Harz Mountains prevail over other potential sites in central Germany that Karls had examined in recent months. Known for its half-timbered houses, historic town hall and narrow-gauge railway, Wernigerode attracts around two million day visitors each year. Karls Founder and Managing Director Robert Dahl reports: “We really looked at many great locations, in different cities and with very different conditions. But in Wernigerode, we encountered a team with genuine passion. Cooperation with the city was extremely good, well prepared and straightforward. That is why we are very much looking forward to creating something together with Wernigerode that feels truly special.”
Wernigerode’s Mayor Tobias Kascha publicly thanked economic development officer Kristin Dormann, the team led by Immo Kramer, Head of Urban Development, and all departments involved: “We have shown that Wernigerode is willing and capable: fast, precise and solution-oriented. I am proud of our team – and grateful that Karls has rewarded our trust. We are not simply bringing a new leisure attraction to the city. We are investing into a part of the future.”
The project in Wernigerode is seen by the city as one of the largest private tourism investments in its history. The new leisure destination is expected to generate year-round visitor flows, thereby strengthening both the local economy and tourism in the Harz Mountains region in a sustainable and season-independent way. Up to 200 new jobs are anticipated for the region. During the construction phase, local craft businesses are to be given priority, and cooperation with regional producers is also planned. According to the project partners, the development phase began immediately following the site decision. Completion is scheduled within a period of three to five years, with the opening planned for the start of the 2029 season.
While the opening of the new Karls Erlebnis-Dorf in Oberhausen is scheduled for 2026, further new locations in Germany are underway in Plech (Bavaria) and Bispingen (Lower-Saxony). ■
