As the former inner German border ran through the Harz, large parts of the range were prohibited areas, that apart from the fortifications had remained completely unaffected for decades.
Kuna endine Saksamaa sisepiir jooksis läbi Harzi, olid suured mäestiku osad asustamata ja jäid, peale kindlustuste, aastakümneteks täiesti puutumata.