2023-12-27 06:47:00
The Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) are a region on the border of Germany and the Czech Republic. The German part is located in Saxony. The first mining operations appeared here in the 12th century after the discovery of silver deposits. Nowadays these places are popular among nature lovers, hikers and winter sports.
Fichtelberg road
Fichtelberg narrow gauge railwayPhoto: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Woitas
This train takes you to the highest mountain town in Germany – Oberwiesenthal. The 17-kilometer Fichtelberg narrow-gauge railway, laid in the Ore Mountains between Sematal and Oberwiesenthal, was put into operation in the summer of 1897.
Oberwiesenthal
Downhill skiing track on Mount FichtelbergPhoto: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Woitas
The popular winter resort of Oberwiesenthal is located at an altitude of 915 meters above sea level near the 1215-meter Fichtelberg mountain – the highest point in Saxony. The total length of the descent trails here is about 17 kilometers. The height difference is three hundred meters. Oberwiesenthal is also home to the training base for German Olympians.
Winter’s Tale
After heavy snowfall on Mount FichtelbergPhoto: picture-alliance/dpa/A. März
In the Ore Mountains you can, of course, go down the slopes, but many people come to this East German region for leisurely skiing and cross-country skiing. The routes are laid among such snow-covered romantic landscapes. Near the city of Johanneorgenstadt there is one of the longest such trails in Germany – Kammlupe, 36 kilometers long.
Annaberg-Buchholz
Winter evening in Annaberg-BuchholzPhoto: picture-alliance/DUMONT Bildarchiv/J. Scheibner
Have you gone skiing? Now let’s get acquainted with the history of the local mining industry. This can be done, for example, in the city of Annaberg-Buchholz, where silver was found at the end of the 15th century, after which a period of rapid prosperity began. In 2019, the historical monuments of the “Ore Mountains Mining Region” in Germany and the Czech Republic were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Miners’ parades
Participants in the traditional parade in Annaberg-BuchholzPhoto: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Schmidt
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, costumed parades of miners are held in various places in the Ore Mountains, attracting numerous tourists. In the Middle Ages, such festive processions were attended by miners and artisans, and today – by members of historical societies that care about preserving the traditions of the region.
“Fronauer Hammer”
“Fronau’s Hammer” Photo: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Endig
Annaberg-Buchholz also houses this monument of pre-industrial technical history – the 500-year-old “Frohnauer Hammer”. It was used for the manufacture of hardware, and even earlier – for the processing of silver and copper. The mechanism is powered by water and is still in working order.
Chopau
Saxon motorcycles on display at the museum Photo: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Burgi
Next, let’s look at Cshopau – one of the most famous cities in the region. The first fortification appeared here in the 12th century at the intersection of the Chopau River and the Saxon Salt Route. In the 1920s, motorcycle production began in the city. For some time, the DKW plant was the largest in the world – up to 60 thousand units per year. In the GDR, MZ motorcycles were assembled here. Production is now closed.
Wildeck hunting castle
Hunting castle Wildeck in CzopauPhoto: picture-alliance/Bildagentur-online/Exss
A museum dedicated to the history of motorcycles in Csopau has one of the largest collections in Europe. The exhibition is located in the Wildeck hunting castle. It acquired its current appearance during the Renaissance, but a 30-meter medieval tower has also been preserved here.
Kribstein Castle
Kriebstein Castle from the opposite bank of the Chopau RiverPhoto: picture-alliance/Dumont Bildarchiv/P. Hirth
Since we are talking about ancient castles, talking about the sights of the Ore Mountains, we cannot fail to mention Kriebstein (Burg Kriebstein) – the most beautiful medieval castle in Saxony. The first written mention of a fortification on this rocky outcrop above the Chopau River dates back to 1384. The picturesque castle has repeatedly become the location for filming television fairy tales and other films.
Souvenirs
Wooden pyramid, nutcracker and smoking man from the Ore MountainsPhoto: BA-Geduldig/imageBROKER/picture alliance
Finally, let’s look at traditional souvenirs from the Ore Mountains. The region is famous for its wooden toys and decorations – nutcrackers, Christmas pyramids and smoking men.
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