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ABC of the Erzgebirge
Tourismusverband Erzgebirge e.V.
Adam-Ries-Straße 16
09456 Annaberg-Buchholz
Autoland
The Erzgebirge region is the cradle of the German automotive industry,
with August Horch building his first car in Zwickau over 100 years ago.
Since then, the German automobile and motorcycle industry has
boasted names like Audi, DKW, Wanderer, Auto Union, Barkas, Trabant,
as well as today’s BMW, Porche, and Volkswagen production facilities in
Leipzig, Dresden, and Zwickau-Mosel. The ‘Sachsenring’ in HohensteinErnstthal is one of the most tradition-rich racetracks in Germany. This
year marks its 85th anniversary.
Tips: Zwickau’s August Horch Museum, which happens to be one of the
most modern technological museums in Germany, is a testament to the
rich tradition of the Erzgebirge region’s automotive industry. There’s also
plenty for motorcycle fans: the Augustburg Castle and Wildeck Castle in
the city of ‘MZ’ Zschopau, offer two impressive motorcycle exhibitions.
There are also a number of other exhibits to see, like the TrabantDrivers’ Meet in June, and in August, there is the ‘Saxon Classic’ Oldtimer Rally, the ‘Horch Klassik’ Old-timer Excursion in Zwickau, and the
Historic Erzgebirge Rally.
Bobsleighing
Altenberg is the bobsleighing capital of the Erzgebirge. The luge and
bobsleigh run is one of the most modern and ambitious in the world.
Each year the city marks a date in its calendar for international luge
racing, skeleton racing and bobsleigh. Among other things, six world
championships in bob-sleighing, luge racing and skeleton racing have
taken place here. Bobsleighing is offered year round. Throughout the
winter, sport areas in the Erzgebirge are dedicated to bobsleighing. In
winter in Marienberg, streets are converted into sleigh runs. Two large,
natural luge runs in Oberwiesenthal and at Hemmschuh (Rehefeld) offer
great luge fun for the whole family. For those who can’t bear to miss out
on the luge during summer, there is also a summer luge run in Seiffen.
Tip: The visitor bobsleigh for the luge and bobsleigh run Altenberg offers
pure adrenaline. On the trail of a bobsledding world champion, the visitor
climbs aboard an original 4-person bobsleigh and runs at 100 km/h over
11 steep curves to the bottom of the ice channel and is brought safely
into the goal by an experienced pilot and breaker.
Fon: +49 (0) 3733 188 00 – 0
Fax: +49 (0) 3733 188 00 – 20
Mail: info@erzgebirge-tourismus.de
Web: www.erzgebirge-tourismus.de
Christmas wonderland
The Erzgebirge is also the cradle of the German Christmas tradition.
With their combined customs, they are deeply ingrained in the
Erzgebirge mining history, as the life of the mineworkers mostly took
place below the surface – in the dark. It was their longing for light, that
today bestows us with the warm glow from candles and candle arches in
the windows.
During Advent season, the people of the Erzgebirge proudly present
their lovingly manufactured nutcrackers, incense burning figurines and
angels. Then they gather into the warm cottages at the foot of the
pyramids and light charming candle arches in the windows. Traditionally,
they come together for Hutzenabend, telling stories, singing songs and
bringing old customs to life. The smell of fresh Stollen and roasted
almonds is everywhere. During these days, festive sounds of fanfare
accompany the mountain people who march about in their fantastic
costumes.
Tip: A total of 35 Christmas markets in the Erzgebirge offer booths with
Erzgebirge wood art, toys, Christmas decorations, candles, and the
inviting scents of Christmas sweets. In many places, Christmas markets
feature the traditional pyramid design or light arrangements. Father
Christmas is sure to stop by.
Churches
The silver deposits gradually brought wealth to the Erzgebirge, and more
and more people flocked to the region. The imposing and often richly
furnished hall churches of the newly formed mountain towns are
testament to this prosperity – as well as to the gratitude of princes and
miners alike. Most famous are the Church of St. Anne (1499-1525) in
Annaberg-Buchholz, the Freiberg Cathedral, and the Miners’ Cathedral
(Bergmannsdom), St. Wolfgang's Church (1516-40) in Schneeberg. It is
the biggest late Gothic hall church in Saxony. Inside, you can admire an
altar by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The octagonal Seiffen Miners’ Church,
built in 1779, has been immortalized as a motif in Erzgebirge
woodworking.
Country Holiday
Blossoming meadows and fragrant herbs, traditional country inns and
fun riding holidays with the whole family: A holiday in the country holiday
means relaxing in harmony with nature. For a truly unique experience,
go on a herb-collecting journey through the Erzgebirge, with side trips to
museums, gardens and direct sellers, where you can taste the herbs in
delicious dishes.
Tip: In the Gahlenz village museum, which is listed as a protected
Dreiseitenhof (three-sided yard), the tools and home furnishings give
visitors a vivid impression of agriculture, craftsmanship, and village life
between the 19th to the mid-20th century. This includes the so-called
‘Kretzgärtl’ (Kretz = Old High German for ‘herb’), in which the women
cultivated flowers, vegetables, berries and herbs. During the harvest
festival in September, the museum offers home-made aromatic vinegar.
Craftmanship
As the flow of ore decreased towards the end of the 16th century, and
eventually stopped providing a sufficient for a source of income, the
miners started looking for a new livelihood. The activities which had
been hobbies or pastimes for centuries soon became professions:
Erzgebirge craftwork. Today, the people of the Erzgebirge continue to
pass on their unique craft techniques, such as the Reifendrehen (tyre
turning) and wood-shaving trees, from generation to generation. The
‘Erzgebirge wood art’ stamp protects the unique and intricately carved
figures from the Erzgebirge internationally. Around 220 stores, from
family-owned shops to medium-sized businesses, still work with these
traditional techniques. In demonstration workshops, you can observe the
craftsmen as they work.
At that time, the lace, trimmings, and wrought-iron industries also gained
importance. With 20,000 active lace-makers, the Erzgebirge region of
Germany remains THE centre of lace-making in Germany.
Tip: Anyone looking to learn these crafts can do so in the numerous
workshops and museums. There are also countless activities available
for children to take part in. These range from all varieties of
woodworking to basket-weaving, decorative and aromatic candle
making, and even paper weaving.
Cultural Treasures
Three large and very significant private collections display the treasures
of the mining, handcrafts and woodworking industries. ‘Terra Mineralia’,
the world's largest private collection of minerals, includes some 80,000
showpieces. Discovery and information centers lead you to the world of
sparkling mountain treasures. The exhibition at the University of
Technology Freiberg is on permanent loan to the Pohl-Ströher Minerals
Foundation, which was founded by Erika Pohl-Ströher. This dynamic
patron has the Erzgebirge to thank for even more treasures: since
October 2010, the Factory of Dreams in Annaberg-Buchholz displays
Erzgebirge folk art from the 17th century to the present. Masterpieces of
woodworking from around the world can be seen in Lichtenstein’s Daetz
Centre. The artworks convey myths, tales and legends, and show the
very different cultural perspectives on life and everyday living.
Cycling & mountain biking
Cycling in the Erzgebirge is great fun. Whether you go for a romantic
ride along the river valleys on the large bicycle paths like the Muldental
bicycle path, the Zschopautal bicycle path or the Flöhatal bicycle path or
cycle gently uphill to the Erzgebirge ridge, whether you’re an ambitious
athlete or just having fun with the family – With pristine nature, vast
panoramas, beautiful mountain villages, romantic mills, museums,
churches, and reservoirs, the views from the trails are greatly varied.
Whether you like trekking, racing, or electric cycling – or even a
combination of cycling, hiking and trains: There is something for
everyone.
The Erzgebirge is also an Eldorado of mountain biking due to its smooth
uphill and downhill slopes and many forest roads and hiking paths. This
is the cradle of the German mountain biking: in 1993 the first mountain
bike marathon of Germany was held in Seiffen. Today the ErzgebirgsBike-Marathon (EBM) draws over 1,000 participants every year and it
has become a cultural event.
Tip: In Seiffen you’ll find the start of a mountain bike trail that crosses
borders. Without great elevation differences, the round trip takes you
over 32 kilometers through Deutschneudorf, the Czech Leśna and back
to Seiffen. Here Mountain bikers can expect a technically simply tour for
those with a medium level of fitness, and the tour promotes cultural
exchange through athleticism.
Dialect
Everybody join in and sing: ‘De Sonn steigt hinnern Wald drübn nei,
besaamt de Wolken rut, a jeder legt sei Warkzeig hi un schwenkt zen
Gruß sann Hut. ‘s is Feierobnd, ‘s is Feierobnd; es Togwark is
vollbracht, ‘s gieht alles seiner Haamit zu, ganz sachte schleicht de
Nacht.’
Not so easy, for those who don’t come from the Erzgebirge! The
Erzgebirge dialect is one of the four main dialects in Saxony, although
the borders with the other three dialects (Obersächsisch, Vogtländisch
and Oberlausitzisch) is rather fluid. At the turn of the 20th century, there
was even literature written in this dialect. The ‘Feierobnd’ song comes
from one of its most famous representatives, Anton Günther. If you want
to learn more, we recommend the works of Fritz Körner (1873-1930),
Hans Soph (1869-1954), Max Wenzel (1879-1946) or Gottlob Christian
Wild (1785- l839).
Erzgebirge – The Ore Mountains Experience
Since 2011, the Erzgebirge region has been branding itself as an
authentic tourist destination. At the core of this new brand lie the region’s
heartiness, brisk weather, a down-to-earth character and sense of
community, all combined with centuries of mining traditions past. All of
the regions’ products and offerings are divided into four themes, which
provide a clearer picture for visitors and help them orient themselves.
That is in fact the goal of the region’s updated image, which also offers
investment and connection opportunities to partners and tourism service
providers, in order to market the region together.
Tip: Show your love for the Erzgebirge by using the new badge. (Link in
the Downloads Section.)
ErzgebirgsCard
The ErzgebirgsCard allows you to experience the colorful diversity at a
more affordable price. With this card, you can gain free entry to about
100 establishments, as well around 30 attractive discounts throughout
the Erzgebirge. For the period of its validity, the ErzgebirgsCard also
serves as a ticket for all bus and tram lines, as well as for regional trains
within Central Saxony. In the ‘True Erzgebirge Country inns’, you will
find various discounts for restaurant visits.
The ErzgebirgsCard is valid for 48 hours, or for four days of your
choosing within a calendar year. With the purchase of an
ErzgebirgsCard, you also receive a free Erzgebirge activity guide. The
ErzgebirgsCard can be purchased in the participating establishments, all
related tourist information stands and tourism offices, as well as directly
from our site.
Exhibition workshops
With ‘Glück Auf’ (‘good luck’), the greeting of the mineworkers, over 20
exhibition workshops in the Erzgebirge greet their visitors and carry
them off on adventure and discovery tours, through more than 800 years
of mining history of silver to coal to uranium mining. The underground
and aboveground facilities in Freiberg, Pöhla, Deutschneudorf (Fortuna
Bernstein Stolln) or the Frohnauer Hammer in Annaberg-Buchholz are
among the region’s tourism magnets. The mining museums in Altenberg
and Oelsnitz/Erzg. provide the visitor with striking insights into the
mining history.
Tip: Whether it’s rousing Dixieland music resonating from underground
or the exotic drumming from large production facilities – the yearly
‘artmontan’ culture days excite the public with events that make the
mountains, the mines and the workshop come alive.
Experience
The Erzgebirge offer unique holiday experiences for all: from bordercrossing hikes and mountain bike tours, to paragliding and parasailing,
mountain climbing, hunting, mini-golf, and surfing, as well as lacemaking, pottery, carving, and handcrafts. When it comes to relaxing,
there are more than 70 public pools and swimming lakes, 10 waterparks
and wellness saunas, and more than 20 more indoor pools and hotel
pools. Several thermal springs and healing springs also offer wellness
and wellbeing opportunities. For those seeking adventure, there are
summer alpine slides in Altenberg, Augustusburg, Oberwiesenthal, and
Seiffen. During the winter, visitors can take a ride in luges and
bobsleighs on the Altenberg track, with more than 100 ways to slide
down the ice channel. There are more than 20 places to play tennis, and
the 18-hole golf course in Augustusburg-Gahlenz is open for practice for
amateurs and professionals alike.
Festivals
The people of the Erzgebirge love to celebrate. Every year, hundreds of
festivals draw visitors from far and wide – from jubilees, art and festivals
and fairs, to the Christmas miners’ parades.
The oldest folk festival in the Erzgebirge is the ‘Annaberger Kät’ in
Annaberg-Buchholz. It has been celebrated since 1520, and it always
takes place two weeks after Whitsuntide. The Bergstreittag (Miner’s
Dispute Day) in Schneeberg takes place every year on 22 July, a
testament to the first labour strike in the world. The Bergstadtfest in
Freiberg enchants visitors with concerts, plays, sporting events and lots
of demonstrations of Erzgebirge traditions. The Lichtelfest in
Schneeberg, which takes place on the second day of Advent, is
reminiscent of the miners’ longing for light. Even the big miners’ parades
at Christmas time, for example in Annaberg-Buchholz, or
Schwarzenberg, are a reminder of the miners’ hard work. In
Oberwiesenthal, Skifasching, is a 95 year old tradition. And every year,
at the winter meet for motorcycle fans at the Augustusburg Castle on the
first weekend in January, hundreds of thousands of bikers and
spectators defy the freezing temperatures.
Fichtelberg
Whether you’re looking for fast slopes, extended cross-country tours, or
sporty snow-kite and half-pipe courses, Fichtelberg is one of the biggest
winter sports centers in Germany. At 1,215 meters above sea level, it is
also the highest point in eastern Germany. Between November and
March, ten ski courses are open to visitors, with a total length of over 15
kilometers and three T-bar lifts, a chair lift and a large cable car usually
in operation. In the summer season, the Fichtelberg mountain is one of
many great hiking destinations of the Erzgebirge, as well as one of the
most beautiful hiking regions in Germany.
Tip: The best and most beautiful way to reach the summit of Fichtelberg
is with the oldest aerial tramway in Germany, the FichtelbergSchwebebahn in Oberwiesenthal. Since 1924, it has made the ascent to
the summit every day, providing the best view of the Erzgebirge. A trip
on the Fichtelberg railway, one of four narrow gauge lines still operating
in the Erzgebirge, is also an experience unto itself.
Hiking
In the middle of Germany, in the Erzgebirge, hikers find their paradise.
It’s 1,215 meters up to the top of Fichtelberg, the highest mountain in
Easter Germany. Over 5,000 kilometers of marked paths guide hikers
through untouched landscapes and romantic river valleys. In addition
there is natural history, mining history and local heritage to come into
contact with – circa 100 museums, manor houses, castles and points of
interest lie along the trails. Three hiking trails of international importance
cross the Erzgebirge: E3 European long distance path, EisenachBudapest and the Erzgebirge-Vogtland Ridge Trail, which was elected
as one of the twelve Top Trails of Germany in 2011. Along the stretches
of trail there are over 20 shelters which the German Hiking Association
has imparted with the seal ‘Qualitätsgastgeber Wanderbares
Deutschland’('Hikeable Germany Quality Trail'). They offer special
comfort for hikers, like information about the weather, or a chance to dry
their equipment and clothes.
Tip: In the finest trekking months May and September, the people of the
Erzgebirge personally guide their visitors through the region. On circular
routes with varying themes, they present the most beautiful manor
houses, castles and points of interest of their home country. The
‘Erzgebirge hiking weeks’ always take place from the third Saturday until
the fourth Sunday in May and September.
History
The Erzgebirge – the natural boundary between Saxony and the Czech
Republic – is 300 million years old – and unique within Europe. The East
German mid-range mountains were primarily dominated by mining
culture. They take their name (the ‘Ore Mountains’) from that early
discovery of large deposits of ore. By 1168, miners were already digging
for silver. Tin and coal were also mined here. After the 1471, the huge
‘mining clamor’ at Schneeberg led to a boom in Erzgebirge mining.
Nowhere else in Germany today are there so many tangible reminders
of the mining industry, in the Middle Ages and the early modern period,
or as many works of architecture and art with references to the mines as
in the Erzgebirge. After the decline of the mining industry, carpentry,
lace-making, and the textile industry became new sources of income for
the region, as did watch-making. Furthermore, the region is closely
associated with names such as Audi, DKW, Wanderer, Auto Union,
Barkas, Trabant, since August Horch laid the foundation for the German
automotive industry in Zwickau in 1904, with the development of his first
automobile. After 1945, uranium mining also became important in the
region. Since 1991, the Wismut GmbH takes care of problematic
legacies of that industry, with those sites since having become partly
accessible to tourists. Numerous castles take visitors back in time to the
reign of Saxon nobility.
Home Cooking
Griene Kließ, Schwammebrie, Raacher Maad, Ardäpplkuchn, Grünen
Klitscher... these are all part of the traditional cuisine of the Erzgebirge.
Potatoes are a key component of the hearty meals, with recipes dating
back to long-forgotten times. Many dishes are tied to the traditions of the
hard-working miners and their harsh everyday conditions. The traditional
Christmas dish of ‘Neunerlei’ consists of nine separate dishes, each with
its own history.
Tip: Of course, everything tastes better when it’s homemade. Those
with no family or friends in the Erzgebirge can savor these delicious
dishes at the True Erzgebirge Country Inns.
Kammweg (Ridge Trail)
If you want to get away from it all, observe the wildlife, and enjoy the
unspoiled nature and beautiful landscape, the Erzgebirge-Vogtland ridge
trail invites you to explore the mountains, with the motto ‘Nature, not
business’. Spanning three provinces, four holiday destinations and with
possible side trips to the Czech Republic, the almost 290 kilometer-long
hiking trail runs from Altenberg Geising in the Eastern Erzgebirge
through the Vogtland into Blankenstein in Thuringia. Those interested
can keep hiking further, to the Rennsteig, the Frankenweg, and the
Franconian mountain path. The hiking trail is the first region-wide,
certified trail in Saxony, and is already one of the top 12 best longdistance hiking trails in Germany.
More at: www.kammweg.de
Mining
Everything comes from the mines: ever since, more than 800 years ago,
the people of the Erzgebirge discovered that their territory was rich with
raw materials, they soon dug out countless tunnels and shafts, hammer
mills and smelters. Following the silver rush – also known as the ‘mining
clamor’ – a modern industrial region began to develop, whose reputation
attracted thousands of newcomers. For a long time, mining set the pace
in this region. It was from mining that the Erzgebirge’s Christmas
traditions and craftsmanship were developed, as did the other values
and customs that still stand today. The traces of mining eras past are
most visible along the Saxon-Bohemian SILVER ROAD. About 30 visitor
mines and 20 yearly miners’ parades provide insight into the lives of the
miners. The historical mining towns’ magnificent hall churches and
countless mining memorials also make for a fantastic discovery tour.
Today, the Erzgebirge aspires to be declared a Unesco World Heritage
Centre, as the ‘Erzgebirge Mining Region’
Tip: Every July, the ‘Bergstreittag’ (Miner’s Dispute Day) in Schneeberg
is a reminder of the first wage strike ever. In 1496, it was decided that
the miners would be paid 1 penny less per week, at which point the
citizens of Schneeberg determined that they would fight for that single
penny. Not even armed forces could scare them off, and they succeeded
in securing their demands.
Mountains
The Erzgebirge region stretches out over an area about 130 kilometers
long and on average 35 kilometers wide, at the border between Saxony
and the Czech Republic – from Auersberg to the west to Geisingberg to
the east. The fault-block mountain range, which is about 300 million
years old, rises up slowly from the north, before sloping steeply down in
the south. The highest peaks on the Saxon side are the Fichtelberg peak
(1,215 m) in Oberwiesenthal, the Auersberg peak (1,019 m) in
Johanngeorgenstadt, the Kahleberg peak (905 m) in Altenberg, the
Bärenstein peak (898 m) in Bärenstein, the Pöhlberg (832 m) in
Annaberg-Buchholz, the Geisingberg (824 m) in Geising, and the
Scheibenberg (807 m) with its 40 metre high basalt pillars, known as the
‘organ pipes’. The highest mountain in the Erzgebirge region is on the
Czech side, across from the Fichtelberg peak: the 1,244 metre high
Keilberg/Klinovec. The Czech name for the Erzgebirge is actually
Krusné hory.
Tip: The Kammloipe range, from Schöneck to Johanngeorgenstadt, is
one of the most beautiful and snow-reliable cross-country skiing trails in
Germany, and in the winter, it attracts cross-country skiers and ski hikers
to the Erzgebirge mountains.
Museums
Out of all of eastern Germany, this is the region with the most museums:
more than 120, in fact. Among them are some real discoveries such as
the Frohnauer Hammer (first mentioned in 1436) in Annaberg-Buchholz,
the Erzgebirge Open-Air and Toy Museum in Seiffen, or the first
nutcracker museum in Europe, in Neuhausen.
Musical treasures
Two famous artists are intrinsically connected to the Erzgebirge: Robert
Schumann, who was born in Zwickau in 1810, and Gottfried Silbermann
(1683 - 1753), who had his workshop in Freiberg. ‘In the Erzgebirge you
could hear Silver. Clear, noble, radiant tones – typical for Gottfriend
Silverman’s organs,’ writes Albrecht Koch, Church Music Director of
Freiberg Cathedral, whilst romanticizing on the important German
master organ builder, whose life and work are closely connected with
baroque music culture. Today 31 of Silbermann’s organs exist, four of
them in Freiberg alone. The precious instruments come to life in frequent
concerts, and you can hear them resonate also during the Silbermann
Festival. Once a year at that time the Erzgebirge turn into an
international landscape of music: the always evolving Silbermann
Festival and Musikfest Erzgebirge take place. With internationally
renowned stars, this new festival stimulates the entire region. In any
case, that is the goal of Professor Hans-Christoph Rademann, the
founder of the festival, who himself comes from Schwarzenberg in the
Erzgebirge.
Tip: The Gottfried-Silbermann-Museum in Kreuzgewölbesaal of the
Castle Frauenstein. The exhibit depicts Silbermann’s path in life.
Something worth seeing above all is the unique working model of the
mechanical ‘Schleifladenorgel’ and the Silbermann organ copy. Since
1994 concerts have regularly taken place here.
Nature
At 120 kilometers, the Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park is the most
densely forested and also the longest nature park in Germany. Rare
plants and animals from all over Europe find their home in the diverse
nature here. Hedgerow landscapes with stony ridges and copses, ridge
moors, spring-fed moors in the numerous stream and river valleys,
mountains and wet meadows as well as remains of the primordial
highland mixed forests offer many habitats for the most varied species.
Notable figures
Silver finds and beautiful cities: It’s no wonder that creative minds like
those of Adam Ries, Gottfried Silbermann and Robert Schumann loved
the region. From here they became world famous. Adam Ries, who lived
and taught in Annaberg 500 years ago, is widely known among school
children as ‘the father of modern maths’. We have to thank him for
replacing the cumbersome Roman numerals with the Arabic numerals
we use today. Still today people say in German ‘Das macht nach Adam
Ries ...’ (‘Done like Adam Ries…’).
Today, the most well-known person from the Erzgebirge is Jens
Weißflog. With three Olympic victories, two world cup gold medals and
numerous other prizes, he is officially one of the most successful ski
jumpers of all time. Today he is an Erzgebirge hotelier in
Oberwiesenthal. Other famous people who were born or who worked in
the Erzgebirge include the composer Robert Schumann (born in
Zwickau), the master organ builder Gottfried Silbermann (born in
Frauenstein), Georgius Agricola, the founder of modern mining
engineering, and the baroque poet Paul Fleming (reference: numbers
and facts).
Tip: At the Jens Weißflog Hotel, ski jumping history can be experienced
at 900 meters above sea-level. The medals and trophies of the famous
ski jumper can be viewed in the hotel. The suites not only bear the
names of famous locations of the ski jump world cups which Weißflog
won, but are also styled to be visually reminiscent of those places, down
to the very last detail.
Numbers & Facts
 Beds: In the area between Crimmitschau and Dippoldiswalde there
are about 30,000 beds available, 23,000 of which are divided
between 600 different accommodation providers, each with at least 8
beds. Since 1990 the number of beds has doubled. The present
occupancy rate is 36 percent.
 Population: About 1 million people live in the main Erzgebirge tourist
area in over 100 towns and villages of the Erzgebirge and Zwickau
districts as well as the sub territories of the districts Mittelsachsen and
Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge. Zwickau is the fourth largest city
of the Free State of Saxony with about 98,500 inhabitants.
 Guests: Over one million travelers and over three million overnight
stays were statistically recorded in the commercial areas of the
Erzgebirge. As measured by the overnight stays, the Erzgebirge is
Saxony’ most popular holiday destinations. Among the 135 German
holiday areas, it belongs to the top 50 most-requested destinations for
regional travel.
 Gastronomy: There are over 1,000 hotels and inns operating in the
Erzgebirge. In a successful way many of them connect modern
comfort with historical, rustic ambience, local cooking and Erzgebirge
coziness.
 Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park: In this nature park, established in
1996, there are 16 protected landscapes, 44 nature preserves, 151
land monuments and 3 internationally recognized bird sanctuaries. 71
percent of the total land area is forested, 20 percent is used
agriculturally and 9 percent is populated.
 Notable figures: Georgius Agricola (1494-1555), born in Chemnitz,
founded modern mining engineering in the Erzgebirge; Carlfriedrich
Claus (1930-1998), born in Annaberg, was a graphic designer and
author who received the Order of Merit of the Federal republic of
Germany and whose images hang in the Reichstag among other
places; Paul Fleming (1609-1640), baroque poet, born in Hartenstein;
Anton Günther (1876-1937), the most famous popular poet and
troubadour of the Erzgebirge, with 150 vernacular ballads (e.g. ‘s is
Feierobnd); Adam Ries (1492-1559), Germany’s most famous
arithmetician, active for over 30 years in Annaberg; Gottfried
Silbermann (1683-1759), born at Frauenstein and famous master
organ builder, 31 extent organs, including one in Freiburg Cathedral;
Robert Schumann (1810-1856), born in Zwickau, famous German
composer; Karl Stülpner (1762-1841), poacher and legendary folk
hero (‘the Robin Hood of the Erzgebirge’); Barbara Uttmann (15141575), ‘Mother of the Erzgebirge lace-making’. Today, the most
famous living person from the Erzgebirge is Jens Weißflog, the most
successful ski jumper of all time and currently an Erzgebirge hotelier
in Oberwiesenthal.
 Tourism: Since 2011, the destination has marketed itself under the
umbrella brand ‘Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge’ (‘Erzgebirge – The Ore
Mountains Experience’). The Erzgebirge tourist association, founded
in Scharfenstein in 1991, is supported by the districts of Zwickau,
Erzgebirgskreis, Mittelsachsen, including the area of the former
district Freiberg as well as the district of Sächsische SchweizOsterzgebirge, including the area of the former Weißeritzkreis and
associated municipalities. It has 130 members. The association
directly employs circa 5,000 people in the tourist industry. Tourism in
the Erzgebirge has a tradition that is over 100 years old: in 1878 the
nationally active Erzgebirgsverein e.V. (Erzgebirge Club) was
founded in order to promote the Erzgebirge region. That was the
beginning of tourism in the region. Today the Erzgebirgsverein e.V. is
based in Schneeberg and has 6,000 members from all of Germany.
The people
They are creative and innovative, friendly and open – with some rough
edges. In any case, the Erzgebirge people are specialists when it comes
to comfort.
Railroad Romanticism
Thrilling anecdotes from long-gone eras are recounted by the steam
railways, which hiss and puff through the picturesque landscape of the
Erzgebirge. Only four trains remain out of the 19 narrow-gauge railways
which used to run through here, each with a gauge of only 750
millimeters. The Fichtelberg, Preßnitzal, and Weißeritztal train lines, as
well as the Schönheide Heritage Railway, run over a total length of 56
kilometers, through dreamy villages and idyllic valleys. Worth noting: this
area is home to a number of voluntary workers’ unions, since most of the
boiler men, train conductors, mechanics, and ticket inspectors are
Erzgebirge citizens, who do their work out of love for the old steel giants.
Tip: Engineering enthusiasts and railway fans will have a grand time in
Rittersgrün’s Museum of Saxon Narrow-Gauge Railways. Along with the
permanent exhibit on the development of the Saxon narrow-gauge
railways, visitors can learn about different historical locomotives,
passenger carriages, trolleys, a railroad postal car from 1892, and even
a locomotive metalworking shop. There are also exhibits on
telecommunications and signaling, train ticket presses, old railway
uniforms, and much more.
Silver Road
The Silver Road tells the story of the shining metal that so characterized
this region. Like a silver thread, this old trade route crosses through the
region from Zwickau up to Dresden and across the border to the Czech
Republic and links the different cultural treasures of the Erzgebirge. At
275 kilometers, today’s scenic route shows how daily life must have
been then, and how the silver was transported from the mines to the
royal treasury. The discovery tour offers 30 visitor mines, historical
mountain villages with magnificent hall churches, and numerous mining
monuments.
Tip: In the largest Saxon visitor mine, the visitor mine Freiberg, you can
take a lift and descend 150 meters into the earth. With different tours,
the visitor can experience 700 years of Freiberg’s mining history.
Particularly impressive are the many stalactites in varying colors.
Theatre
In the picture book setting of the Erzgebirge, two theatres and one large
open-air stage offer an array of cultural attractions in the region – from
concerts and theatre, to opera, ballet and puppet theatre. In Freiberg,
home of the central Saxony theatre Freiberg/Döbeln, Carl Maria von
Weber’s first opera, ‘Das stumme Waldmädchen’ (The Silent Forest
Maiden) premièred in 1800. Since 1791 the city has been the home of
the Freiberg Theatre and therefore, according to them, the oldest city
theatre with their own ensemble in the world. The Eduard-vonWinterstein-Theater Annaberg (opened in 1893) plays together with the
Erzgebirge Philharmonic Orchestra Aue in the region. During the
summer months operettas, musicals and musical fairy tales are
performed in the Greifenstein open-air theatre with the cliffs serving as
an impressive backdrop.
Tip: With 15,000 seats, the Waldbühne Schwarzenberg, located in
granite quarry, is the largest outdoor stage in Saxony. Stars like Peter
Maffay, Herbert Grönemeyer and Joe Cocker have performed at this
open-air stage for thousands of spectators.
True Erzgebirge Country Inns
In the rustic restaurants of the Erzgebirge country inns,
you can savor the region’s hearty ‘home cooking’, then
spend the night after a delicious meal exploring the
Erzgebirge’s great leisure opportunities. The seal of
‘Echt Erzgebirgischer Landgasthof’ (‘True Erzgebirge
Country Inn’) guarantees Erzgebirge hospitality and
typical regional products. More than 20 family-owned
inns and hotels boast that seal of quality. With numerous
package deals, these are ideal options for a holiday.
Find out more details about the certified True Erzgebirge Country Inns
on our website.
Tip: In the ‘Zur Knappenschänke’ bed and breakfast in Wiesa, you’ll feel
as though you were underground. Not surprising, given that the building
started out as a miners’ changing house, and therefore the central
administration building of a mine. The Herrmann family has turned their
home into a bed and breakfast with loving attention to detail. The rooms,
with their country-house wood furnishings, are perfect for a rejuvenating
rest.
Towns
As, more than 800 years ago, the people of the Erzgebirge discovered
the rich ore and coal deposits in the ground and began to unearth these
treasures, they built countless mines, shafts, hammer sheds and
smelting pits. Thousands of people followed the call of the silver. With
the proceeds of the hard labor, the local Saxon princes established
beautiful mountain towns in the area. As the oldest of the Saxon
mountain towns, Freiberg arose at the end of the 12th century. Other
admirable destinations, with their historical city centers, include
Marienberg, Schneeberg, Annaberg-Buchholz, Altenberg, Augustusburg,
Brand-Erbisdorf, Dippoldiswalde, Eibenstock, Frauenstein,
Schwarzenberg, Stollberg and Wolkenstein, which are typical places of
interest connected to centuries of mining history and other Erzgebirge
traditions.
Tip: Anyone who appreciates silver treasures should thank the people of
the Erzgebirge: Every year, mostly at Christmas time, traditionally
dressed miners gather in the cities with their bands. At these impressive
mountain parades the spectator gets a sense for the valuable work the
miners carried out.
Toys
At workbenches, well-trained hands paint the bodies of wooden horses
with fine brushes. White eyes and a brown finish – every detail is made
by hand, like the animals themselves. They are cut from a leaf of wood.
The technique is called ‘Reifendrehen’ (tyre turning). It is like the
‘Spanbaumstechen’ (carving chiseled wooden trees), a woodworking
technique only found in the Erzgebirge. Today, this distinctive handcraft
is still cherished in Seiffen’s ‘Toy Village’ and can be admired a number
of locales. The Erzgebirge is the only region of the world where wooden
toymakers are still trained.
Tip: If you’d like to see how the traditional wooden toys are created by
hand, it’s best to visit one of the exhibition workshops or the toy regions
around Seiffen and Olberhau.
Unique
Did you know that the most elevated city in Germany lies in the
Erzgebirge? That title is bestowed upon the spa town of Oberwiesenthal,
which lies 914 meters above sea-level on the Fichtelberg mountain. The
Erzgebirge also boasts other record-setting and unique landmarks:
o The oldest aerial tramway in Germany (opened in 1924) runs
from Oberwiesenthal over the Fichtelberg mountain.
o The peak of the Fichtelberg mountain is the highest point in
eastern Germany.
o The 40 metre high basalt columns on the Scheibenberg mountain
are unique in Europe in their form and material.
o Europe’s biggest tin chamber is found in Pöhla’s visitors’ mine.
o The Grünthal smelting hut is the only monument to non-ferrous
metallurgy in Europe.
o The craftsmanship involved in the Reifendrehen technique of
wood turning in Seiffen is unique in the world.
o The technique of wood-shaving trees is also a craft which only
exists in the Erzgebirge.
o Visit the only nutcracker museum in Europe, which is in
Neuhausen.
o Germany’s only Hosiery Museum can in Gelenau.
o The priests’ quarters in Domhof 5-8 are some of the oldest
residential buildings in Central Germany, and probably also in the
whole country. These are the last of what used to be 12 buildings
which were designated as ‘spiritual houses’, which surrounded
the parish church from the late Middle Ages until the 19th century.
Vintage dreams
Fans of vintage cars will get their money’s worth in the Erzgebirge. At
the beginning of the 20th Century in Zwickau, August Horch founded
Horch and Audi, a cornerstone of the German automobile industry. In
the exhibits at the August Horch Museum Zwickau, as well as in
Zschopau or on the Augustusburg Castle, visitors both big and small can
travel in time through the history of driving. Above all, the yearly vintage
car rally that takes place in August, the ‘Sachsen Classic’, captivates
those who love vintage automobiles. Over three, day-long levels, the
rally winds through the beautiful landscapes of Saxony. More than 1,000
teams regularly participate in the consistency and the reliability tests.
Tip: In Europe’s most important motorcycle museum at the
Augustusburg Renaissance Castle, thousands of motorcycle fans meet
each year. Here the technical development of the motorcycle from 1885
to today is impressively displayed. Nearly all important and technically
interesting constructions are present in original form. Special attention is
given to the development of the Zschopauer motorcycle companies
DKW, Auto Union and MZ.
Wellness and relaxation
The people of the Erzgebirge are experts when it comes to relaxing.
After all, they live in an oasis of thermal springs, spas and healing
springs. For centuries the oldest thermal springs of Saxony have
bubbled in the Erzgebirge. Warmbad Spa has the oldest and warmest
healing bath in Saxony, which for more than 600 years has been used
therapeutically. At the thermal bath Wiesenbad the thermal ‘Miriquidi’
offers refreshing thermal water from the Georgesquelle to bathe in. The
healing water in Bad Schlema contains radon which strengthens the
immune system and alleviates pain. And the ‘Raupennest’ in Altenberg
in a uniquely connects conventional medicine with alternative healing
methods of traditional Chinese medicine and osteopathy.
Tip: In the healing adit in the Ehrenfriedersdorf exhibition mine
respiratory illnesses or neurodermitis are effectively treated. At an air
temperature of 7 °C and a relative humidity of 100 %, the air is nearly
free of dust and allergens. The healing effect is now attested.
Winter sports
The Erzgebirge region is one of the most important winter sports centers
in Germany, since there is a reliable amount of snow during the cold
winter months. Winter sports enthusiasts enjoy the alpine allure of the
Erzgebirge, which can be reached from many areas without a long
journey. At the Fichtelberg mountain there are ten ski slopes with a total
length of 15 kilometers. There you’ll find three double ski lifts, a four-seat
chairlift and a cable car lift which operates between November and
March. For extended skiing trips, explore the region’s untouched
stretches of land, such as Carlsfeld in western Erzgebirge or the
Geyersche Wald forest in central Erzgebirge. In total the Erzgebirge
offers 1,000 cross-country ski-tracks.
Tip: The ‘Skimagistrale’ (‘Ski Main Street)creates a special kind of
German-Czech cultural exchange. It connects directly to the ridge trail
and runs from Johanngeorgenstadt in western Erzgebirge into
Deutschgeorgenthal in eastern Erzgebirge, varying from German and
Bohemian side.