Wernigerode is one of the fairytale picture-perfect towns of Saxony-Anhalt. It is often referred to as Pearl of the Harz Mountains. The most famous building is the Rathaus from 1420 and the surrounding Markt Square full of medieval half-timbered traditional German houses. Some of the houses have wood carvings and some are leaning ominously given their age. Schloss Wernigerode stands high above the town.