GOSLAR, gelsllir. An ancient Imperial city of Germany, in the Prussian Province of Hanover, situated on the Gose at the foot of the Rammels berg, about 35 miles south of Brunswick (Map: Prussia, D 3). Goslar is rich in architectural remains of its former prosperity and glory. Its market square is quaint and interesting. Some of the more prominent historic structures are the Zwinger, a tower with walls 20 feet thick; the Gothic Rathaus, with a valuable collec tion of old books and other antiquities; the tailors' and butchers' guild-houses, dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries respective ly; the Romanesque twelfth-century church of the Neuwerk monastery, containing creditable paintings; the Frankenberg Church built at the beginning of the twelfth century and re stored in 1880, with tombstones and sculptures; and the interesting chapel, which was formerly the vestibule of the historical Cathedral of Saint Simon and Saint Jude, founded in 1039 and de stroyed in 1820. In the interior of the chapel are many relics of interest to • the antiquary. The Kaiserhaus, the most ancient secular build ing in Germany, is a restored palace founded by Henry III. in the eleventh century. Its large Im perial hall is enriched with historical frescoes by Wislicenus, and contains an ancient Imperial throne dating from the twelfth century. The
double chapel of Saint Ulrich, a portion of the original building, holds the tomb of Henry III., with his heart.
The chief industry of Goslar is mining. In the way of manufactures it produces marble articles, matches, chemicals, starch, playing-cards, and cigars. In the vicinity are situated a number of ponds from which ochre dye is obtained. The Rammelsberg Mountain (2040 feet) has been mined for centuries, produces several kinds of ores, and is a source of much interest to tourists. Population, in 1890, 13,311; in 1900, 16,403, chiefly Protestants. Goslar was founded probably early in the tenth century, and soon became im portant on account of its rich mineral deposits. It was a favorite place of sojourn with the Saxon and Franconian emperors, and the seat of many diets. For its adherence to the Hohenstaufen it was destroyed by Otto IV. in 1204; but it recov ered its prosperity after joining the Hanseatic League. It suffered during the Thirty Years' War, and from conflagrations in 1728 and 1780. Attached to Hanover in 1816, it finally became Prussian in 1866.