Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Holiday in Saxony? Experiences with a wow effect! Where is Raphael’s famous painting “The Sistine Madonna” located? Where was the first European porcelain invented? Where does the world’s oldest civic orchestra perform? In Saxony. For the first time, Germany’s no. 1 cultural destination is the “Official Cultural Destination of ITB Berlin”.
Note: Saxony is the official culture partner of ITB Berlin NOW 2021. At the virtual platform from 9 to 12 March, those keen to delve into the world of Saxony’s cultural attractions should visit the Kultur-Café, which will feature interviews, videos, classical and modern music and presentations.
Contact: Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen Bautzener Str. 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Communications Director Mrs. Ines Nebelung phone: +49 (0)351-4917025, fax: +49 (0)351-4969306, [email protected] www.sachsen-tourismus.de
These are our main topics
Saxony is the no. 1 cultural destination ...... 2
Saxony impresses with UNESCO World Heritage Sites ...... 4
Chemnitz – “C the unseen“ in the Capital of Culture 2025 ...... 6
Highest-quality handicrafts: The many-faceted history of Saxony’s handicrafts industry ...... 8
850 years of winemaking in Saxony – discovering enjoyment ...... 10
What really makes mountain biking in Saxony so great ...... 12
Saxony’s paddle steamers and iron horses ...... 14
Green heaven – Saxony’s palaces, castles and gardens ...... 16
Saxony’s top seven hiking trails ...... 18
Refreshingly new: Saxony’s New Lake Landscapes ...... 20
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Saxony is the no. 1 cultural destination
Old Masters Picture Gallery, Italian Renaissance art © SKD, H. C. Krass Saxony is the state of exceptional art and culture, the place of rich and living history of manufacture, a legendary land of castles and a fascinating realm of nature: Saxony is a magnet for travellers from all over the world. For instance, Raphael’s famous painting “The Sistine Madonna” and the world-wide unique sandstone bridge “Bastei” can be admired only in Saxony. Just as following in the tracks of the cult film "Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella” is only possible at Moritzburg Castle. Very much to the delight of all mountain bikers, there is only one Stoneman Miriquidi in Germany: in the Ore Mountains. The first European porcelain, the coffee filter, the tea bag, the chocolate bar and even the bra are Saxon inventions. Oh, yes: And the European Capital of Culture 2025 is a Saxon, too: Chemnitz, the third largest city of Saxony.
Distinguished culture Saxony is the official cultural partner of the ITB NOW 2021 for a reason. The free state provides an exceptional range and depth of cultural resources unparalleled in Germany. In particular the select art and cultural offers are appreciated by visitors from all over the world. Whether at the Semper Opera in Dresden, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, the Chemnitz Opera, at castles, palaces or historic compounds: worldwide renowned theatre and music productions, top-class festivals, museums and exhibitions of international stature shape the Saxon cultural landscape. Internationally renowned music festivals are connected with names like Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Robert Schumann, Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner. Several hundred museums tell of the impressive legacy of Saxony’s more than
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
1,000-year-old cultural landscape. Additionally, two UNESCO world heritage sites underline Saxony’s reputation as Germany’s no. 1 cultural destination: the “Mountain region Ore Mountains/Krušnohoří” and the “Muskau Park / Park Mużakowski“ in Bad Muskau.
Favourite places of history Saxony’s smaller towns impress with architectural and cultural highlights. In 1710, Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen became the first production site of the famous Meissen porcelain. And the exhibition “terra mineralia” in Freiberg is second to none. Whoever travels to Görlitz will discover roughly 4,000 monuments from all stylistic eras. But also Pirna, Radebeul, Torgau, Grimma, Annaberg-Buchholz, Plauen, Zwickau, Kamenz, Bautzen and Zittau offer historico-cultural treasures in small alleys, lovingly restored theatres and museums. The impressive legacy also comprises many castles, palaces, gardens and mansions. They often serve as venues for theatre plays and music productions, festivals and exhibitions and are filled with living history.
Wonders of nature and rural gems The combination of culture and nature makes Saxony unmistakable. For example, Dresden lies embedded between the picturesque rock landscape of the national park of Saxon Switzerland and the steep slopes of the Saxon wine-growing district in the Elbland. From the Leipzig city centre it is just a short and effortless row in the canoe to the most beautiful beaches in the Leipzig New Lakeland. The hiking trails in the elevations of the Vogtland are full of sights, like the Museum of Musical Instruments in Markneukirchen or the Plauen Lace Museum. The Ore Mountains accommodate treasures above and below ground. And the view from the towers of Upper Lusatian towns reveals the summits of the Zittau Mountains nearby. Those who counted will notice four low mountain ranges – a paradise for hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers alike.
By the way: In Saxony, enjoying art and culture can be combined effortlessly with family holidays. A vast number of accommodations and recreational facilities have been awarded the “family-friendly” quality seal. And handicapped guests enjoy the wheelchair-accessible Saxony.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Saxony impresses with UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Muskau Castle © Katja Fouad Vollmer Their names are Muskau Park / Park Mużakowski or the Ore Mountain Mining Region / Krušnohoří, and they are cultural treasures of the highest order. Worldwide, only 1,121 exist. In Germany there are 44, places that UNESCO has elevated to World Heritage status. They impressively highlight Saxony in its role as the number one cultural destination in Germany. Muskau Park in Bad Muskau – the art of garden landscaping in Saxony’s east North of Görlitz the River Neisse runs through what must be one of Europe’s most beautiful landscaped gardens – Muskau Park in Bad Muskau. Its creator, the famous landscape architect, nobleman and travel book author Hermann Fürst von Pückler-Muskau, was inspired by the idyllic beauty of the undulating landscape, and between 1815 and 1845 created a wealth of gardens of considerable size. One feature of the gardens, which cover 830 hectares, is that the River Neisse cuts through the middle – one part lies in Saxony, the other in Poland. A bridge joins both halves. As early as 2004, UNESCO declared Muskau Park / Park Mużakowski a joint Polish/German World Cultural Heritage Site. The part now in Saxony is where Fürst Pückler’s refurbished palace lies, with its impressive four-sided group of outhouses. Nowadays, the stables host exhibitions and events, and the working quarters house the visitor information desk and a café which serves legendary Fürst Pückler ice cream. Other notable features are the historical conservatory with its cactuses, the ’Kavalierhaus’ where mud baths can be taken, the ’Bade- und Bergpark’, the palace gardens and the Orangerie. From here, various paths cross the cultural landscape of the Lausitz region, which fascinates visitors with its many attractions, however long they wish to stay. www.sachsen-tourismus.de
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
The Ore Mountain Mining Region / Krušnohoří – 800 years of mining In the Ore Mountains it is not just one place, but an entire region which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site. Throughout 800 years of mining, man nurtured a relationship with nature that created a cultural landscape of global importance. Thus, rich finds of silver, cobalt, iron, tin and uranium, and the industries that mined them left their mark on the landscape, culture, economy, crafts and science. Key to the region’s World Heritage title are 22 sites, connected with each other across Saxony and the Czech Republic. Saxony with its 17 sites features 400 outstanding natural attractions that are testimony to its past. Nowhere else in Germany are there so many silent witnesses to the mining industry. Fascinating places in the mountains such as Freiberg, Annaberg-Buchholz and Schneeberg impress the visitor with their magnificent churches and historical old towns. In their heyday they were important centres of research, development, art and culture, and attracted academics and artists. Visitor attractions such as mines, museums and exhibitions bring the history of the Ore Mountain Mining Region / Krušnohoří to life. One example is ’terra mineralia’, set in the historical surroundings of Freudenstein Castle in Freiberg. Featuring over 3,500 rock finds from five continents, it is one of the most stunning and comprehensive exhibitions of its kind anywhere in the world. In addition to former mining sites, it is the unique customs kept to this day that enthral the visitor, such as Ore Mountain woodcraft and miners’ customs. Nature lovers visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site can hike along the 285 kilometres of mountain ridge paths of the Ore Mountain and Vogtland region. www.montanregion-erzgebirge.de
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Chemnitz – “C the unseen“ in the Capital of Culture 2025
Brühl Chemnitz © Ernesto Uhlmann Chemnitz is full of ideas and surprises, which include pioneering inventions, courageous decisions and cultural innovations. In 2025 Chemnitz will be the European Capital of Culture. But even before then, it is worth exploring the region’s cultural attractions and meet the people shaping the city and region with their “can do“ approach. Taking as its slogan “C the unseen“, the Capital of Culture 2025 is highlighting various projects and unexplored places. People come together to share their experiences, in garages for instance. Having long become too small for modern vehicles, they are now workshops, storage areas and a haven for private worlds. 3,000 garages have become individual workshops where people meet, open their minds and hearts, reveal secrets, unearth memories and tell stories. The latter have become the subject of puppet theatre performances. With the Apple Tree Parade for example, more places have sprung up where people can meet and hold cultural events. The sponsors of 4,000 apple trees host events and invite people to join in with activities and exchange ideas. In 2025 the Purple Path, an art trail, will be winding its way across the entire region and presenting artworks in public spaces. Festivals such as the Fête de la Musique will be transporting events from the city to rural areas. Visitors need not wait until 2025 to explore the hidden treasures of Chemnitz and the local region. Art and culture aficionados can get their money’s worth now. Chemnitz’s art collections have made a name for themselves with legendary exhibitions of works by Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. An exhibition is being planned for spring (21 March to 13 June 2021) with works by Pierre Soulages, an outstanding exponent of twentieth century modern art and abstract expressionism. Following its exhibition debut last year at the Louvre, Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz is now partnering with Museum Frieder Burda to hold a second big museum exhibition in Europe.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
From a cultural viewpoint, Theaterplatz is the city’s beating heart, the place where Theater Chemnitz combines opera, a philharmonic orchestra, theatre, ballet and puppet theatre. Every theatre season, it has notched up successes with new, dynamic productions, spectacular stage designs and international partnerships. The opening programme in 1909 featured the ensemble of the Chemnitz Opera House with works by Richard Wagner. This was the beginning of a tradition which regularly sees fans of Wagner’s music flock to “Saxony’s Bayreuth“ from all over Germany. At Easter and on Ascension Day 2022 a regular performance of the Ring of the Nibelung will once again be taking place. Aside from its mainstream cultural institutions a fascinating subculture has sprung up in Chemnitz. With their numerous festivals, club concerts and open air gigs, minor art performances, markets, galleries and fringe theatres, many movers from the cultural and creative scene have made a colourful contribution to the city’s green image. Chemnitz is one of the birthplaces of Germany’s industrial revolution. The Industriemuseum Chemnitz is dedicated to the past, present and future. A special show entitled “MaschinenBoom“ which runs until 25 July 2021 asks “What is a machine and what role do machines play in people’s lives?“ Covering 26 hectares, the railway museum Sächsisches Eisenbahnmuseum Chemnitz Hilbersdorf is a monument to technical progress that is unique in Europe. Inside two circular boiler rooms an open-air museum features an impressive range of railway vehicles, including steam engines, diesel and electric locomotives, as well as a cable-operated shunting yard. Situated on 3,000 square metres in Kaufhaus Schocken, a former department store designed by Erich Mendelsohn, the Staatliches Museum für Archäologie Chemnitz covers 300,000 years of cultural history. From April to September 221 a special show will be featured entitled "STADT. Zwischen Skyline und Latrine". Here, cities can be witnessed as places highlighting diversity, creativeness and urban density, but also conflicts. The exhibition depicts cities as a universal phenomenon and gathering places in a wide variety of societies, and offers inspiration for ideas on the Capital of Culture 2025. chemnitz2025.de
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Highest-quality handicrafts: The many-faceted history of Saxony’s handicrafts industry
Musical instrument maker © Bertram Boelkow Saxony is a federal state with a rich cultural heritage. The many-faceted and fascinating history of its handicrafts industry is key to its reputation as an attractive cultural destination. Many of the handicraft skills practised in Saxony today originated here. It boasts records such as the world’s largest nutcracker, the oldest registered trademark and the largest functioning violin. These traditional and rare skills, handed down over generations of artisan production, can be witnessed throughout Saxony. Almost everywhere, visitors can watch master craftsmen at work. Below is a small selection of Saxony’s traditional skills.
The mark of the crossed swords Anyone who wants to find out about the world’s oldest registered trademark should visit the porcelain factory in Meissen. Ever since 1710, the blue mark of the crossed swords has stood for products of the highest quality. White china clay (kaolin) is the reason why a product known as “white gold” has acquired such a fascinating aura. Among the porcelain factory’s treasures are the world’s largest and oldest collection of plaster moulds, historical models and drawings ever to be made by the company. They include figurines, sculptures and unique works of art.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Time is precious Ever since 1878, Glashütte has been a brand name associated with one of the most famous watchmaking regions. More than 400 exhibits in the German Watch Museum illustrate the history of watchmaking in the region. Many of its timepieces can only be found here. They include pocket watches, wristwatches and pendulum clocks throughout the ages, marine chronometers and escapement models.
Heaven is full of violins The Musikwinkel, a triangle of three cities – Markneukirchen, Schöneck and Klingenthal – is where wooden and metal musical instruments of all kinds have been handmade for over 350 years. They are part of the intangible cultural heritage of a region that boasts a concentration and range of instrument makers unmatched anywhere in the world. Famous musicians own instruments from the Musikwinkel, which belongs to the Vogtland region. Markneukirchen’s Museum of Musical Instruments houses rare exhibits such as the world’s largest functioning violin and two tiny violins that fit inside a matchbox. The Vogtland region also stands for high-quality tailoring. One example is lace from Plauen, known as Plauener Spitze. Local designers even exhibit their creations at leading fashion shows. The German Lace Museum in Plauen is worth a visit.
Nutcrackers, little smoking men and other artefacts In the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains), the art of carving and turning wooden artefacts has a long- standing tradition. Following the decline of the mining industry it was miners who, over 500 years ago, began expertly crafting artefacts made of wood, for both everyday and decorative use. Every item made is unique. They belong to the Erzgebirge Krušnohoří Mining Region, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, and are a defining feature of Saxony. One particular speciality is hoop turning (Reifendrehen). A hoop starts out as a section of a tree trunk, which is precision-turned to create the outlines of a toy animal. The hoop is subsequently cut to produce multiple identical figures. Every type of animal is expertly painted with a delicate brush. As the name suggests, “hoop animals” come from hoops. This particular skill now exists only in Seiffen.
The origins of the Moravian star Over Advent and Christmas, Moravian stars can be seen glowing in many places around the world. They originated in the Moravian Church of Herrnhut in the Oberlausitz region. First created 160 years ago, the 25-pointed star is made from paper, nowadays also from plastic. The open workshop tells the story of the star and its origins.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
850 years of winemaking in Saxony – discovering enjoyment
View over vineyards of Radebeul © Erik Gross Centuries of experience, good soil and the right climate are ideal conditions for making special wines – and all in one of Europe’s smallest winegrowing regions. Under the painstaking care of 1,860 winegrowers, an area that covers only 511 hectares produces genuinely rare wines. Among the many grape varieties at home in the Elbe valley are Sächsischer Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Weißburgunder, Dornfelder and Traminer. An outstanding and recently revived variety is the seldom-found Goldriesling grape, now only grown in appreciable quantity in Saxony. Visitors can find out about the wide range of wines all year round, for instance at the autumn wine festivals between Pirna and Diesbar-Seußlitz.
The journey is the reward: Saxony’s wine region and wine trail Stretching over 55 kilometres, Saxony’s wine region was opened in 1992 and features a wealth of diversity. The first grapevines come into view at Pirna, followed by those at Pillnitz and the vineyards directly beneath the castles on the Elbe. Picturesque slopes at Radebeul follow, then onto Coswig and Meissen and the romantic winegrowing village of Diesbar-Seußlitz, a special highlight. Together, the river landscape, fine architecture and pleasant surroundings make for a relaxing atmosphere and a desire to taste the local wines. What could be more fitting than a visit to the traditional wine taverns (Strausswirtschaften) and vineyards along the way! Ac companying the visitor from Pirna to Diesbar-Seußlitz is the parallel Elbe cycle route. www.dresden-elbland.de
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Hiking along Saxony’s wine trail – a must for wine lovers Depending on one’s fancy, visitors can explore the 90-kilometre trail in a single day, over an extended weekend, or on a six-day trip. The wine trail offers insights into and views of nature and beautiful cities, including Dresden, Pirna, Radebeul with its villas and gardens, and Meissen, home to porcelain manufacturing. A visit to Weingut Hoflößnitz, a vineyard in Radebeul, is a must. If features the Saxonian Winemaking Museum (Sächsisches Weinbaumuseum), which gives an excellent account of winegrowing in Saxony and the special character and diversity of its wines. As of spring 2021 information plaques will be set up along the way. By scanning a QR code visitors can find out from an audio guide about vineyards, attractions and accommodation nearby. The most rewarding experience however is a conversation with the winegrowers themselves. www.dresden-elbland.de
Characterful wines Weingut Schloss Proschwitz is Saxony’s oldest privately owned vineyard, where on the slopes opposite Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen grapevines have been cultivated for over 850 years. At Wackerbarth Palace in Radebeul, the erstwhile residence of counts and where Saxony’s royal court once celebrated in grand style, nowadays Europe’s first vineyard to offer a genuine wine experience welcomes visitors on a daily basis. Situated at the heart of Saxony’s wine region is a unique ensemble of baroque gardens, picturesque vineyards and a modern winemaking centre – an experience that visitors can round off with fascinating events, elegant wines and by tasting products from “Germany’s best sparkling wine producer“ (German Sparkling Wine Award 2018). Young and dynamic wine producers can be found her too, like Matthias Schuh from Weingut Schuh in Sörnewitz, who delights in cultivating a new taste in wines.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
What really makes mountain biking in Saxony so great
MTB Saxony Stoneman-Miriquidi © Manuel-Rohne With regions like the Erzgebirge and Vogtland increasingly attracting mountain bikers, Saxony’s reputation as a paradise for the sport is spreading in the MTB scene. Among mountain bikers the Erzgebirge is no longer an insider tip. Everywhere, mountain bikers are finding their needs well catered for with soul and passion. Ronny Schwarz manages active tourism product development at Tourismusverband Erzgebirge e. V. In addition to having successfully organised biking adventures with the Stoneman Miriquidi trail, he also has new mountain biking projects up his sleeve. An interview with Ronny Schwarz, Tourismusverband Erzgebirge e.V.
The Erzgebirge has recently become a big destination for mountain bikers. Tell us more about it.
Yes, we are really proud of that. Over the past few years successful efforts have been made all over the region to cater for mountain bikers. As a mid-level mountain range, the Erzgebirge offers great action for bikers, breathtaking natural beauty and a spontaneous sense of freedom. Our standout attraction is the Stoneman Miriquidi, an exclusive mountain bike trail in Germany. Compared with other mid-level German mountain ranges, the Stoneman and other trails such as the TrailCenter Rabenberg and Bikerevier certainly stand out as mountain biking destinations. With the new "8000er Blockline" project we are aiming to create another highlight for mountain bikers, a trail that will connect the towns of Seiffen, famous for its toy production, and Altenberg, a centre for winter sports.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
You are responsible for developing active tourism products for the Erzgebirge. The Blockline is the most recent adventure project. Tell us more about that. The Blockline is an adventure biking trail for sporting families with children aged eight and above. Starting at Holzhau and connecting Seiffen, Mulda and Altenberg, the trail is a biking experience for the whole family. Biking enthusiasts of all ages can go on a three-lap discovery tour of the beautiful, pristine landscape of the eastern Erzgebirge. Following an initiative by the locals, we are promoting an attraction that shows why mountain biking in Saxony is so great, and what is all about. Anyone who wants to be active in nature and explore the landscape has the freedom to do so and will have lots of fun.
That sounds exciting. What makes the Blockline so special? On a total of 140 kilometres, everyone who goes on the Blockline biking adventure will feel a wonderful sensation of undiluted freedom in the Erzgebirge. Massive, breathtaking wooden portals reflect what the region is all about and point one in the direction of spectacular views, unique rock formations, lush mountain meadows and picturesque streams. Those are three laps of freedom, longing and adventure for all the family. The sensational panorama of the solitary Schwartenberg peak, the swishing of the watermills in the valley along the River Gimmlitz and the fascinating world of woodcraft. There is something for everybody there, and it will be kicking off this spring. www.blockline.bike
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Saxony’s paddle steamers and iron horses
Historic paddle steamer in front of Pillnitz Castle © SDG In Saxony visitors can take an adventure trip in historical style and savour the state’s industrial heritage both on water and by rail. The state capital Dresden is home to the world’s oldest and largest fleet of paddle steamers, and nowhere else in Germany are there so many steam engines.
Ship ahoy: industrial heritage on the water The story of Dresden’s paddle steamers, sitting side by side in front of the city’s famous old town and the Frauenkirche, Residenzschloss, Hofkirche, Zwinger and Semperoper, is long and fascinating. Their home is an embankment known as the Dresdner Terrassenufer beneath the Brühlsche Terrasse and Dresden Fortress. In 1834, for the first time, a rear-engined paddle steamer operated between Hamburg and Dresden. It belonged to Heinrich Wilhelm Calberla, a sugar refinery owner. Three years later, Andreas Schubert built Königin Maria, Germany’s first passenger boat. And today? Nowadays, the world’s largest and oldest paddle steamer fleet plies the River Elbe between the wine-growing region of Diesbar-Seußlitz in the Elbe valley and Bad Schandau, a spa resort, in the Sächsische Schweiz National Park. Passengers can witness Saxony’s industrial heritage first-hand on nine historical paddle steamers. They can see with their own eyes how these classic boats are painstakingly and lovingly maintained. Seven of the paddle steamers have been operating on the river since the nineteenth century. The engine on the steamer Diesbar is fitted with parts from the world’s longest-running steam engine from a riverboat built in 1841. This paddle steamer is still in service on a route bordering vineyards in Saxony’s wine region. The paddle steamer Stadt Wehlen is even older and in 2017 celebrated its 160th anniversary.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Relaxing on the Elbe The typical puffing noise of steam engines and the steady churning of paddle wheels and pistons have a calming influence and make these trips a unique experience. All the while, some of Saxony’s cultural treasures can be viewed from the water, or visited on land. The fleet takes visitors to magnificent Pillnitz Castle or the Sächsische Schweiz National Park.
A nostalgic rail trip in Saxony – across enchanted valleys to unimaginable heights As well as being a hub for steamboats Saxony is also the land of steam engines. Nowhere else is there so much huffing and puffing. Once upon a time, Saxony’s narrow-gauge railways were the world’s largest, covering 500 kilometres and carrying passengers to far-flung, magical places. Five narrow-gauge lines still operate in Saxony to this day. They wind their way along picturesque rivers such as the Weißeritz, or up steep inclines, like the Fichtelbergbahn railway. Three former narrow-gauge railways still operate as museum routes. Visitors who travel Saxony’s Steam Engine Route (DAMPFBAHN-ROUTE Sachsen), which is possible by road, can enjoy Saxonian hospitality from Zittau to Leipzig and from Fichtelberg to Lößnitzgrund, in fact everywhere in the state. Covering 750 kilometres, the railways stop at a total of 68 stations around Saxony and are testimony to the state’s cultural heritage. To ensure that visitors continue to enjoy over 175 years of steam engine history, numerous clubs, organisations and museums maintain these much-loved treasures: museums that were once railway stations, miniature railways, park railways and railway museums all embody Saxony’s fascination with steam engines. www.steam-route-saxony.com
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Green heaven – Saxony’s palaces, castles and gardens
Moritzburg Castle © Franco Cogoli Saxony has enough palaces and castles to fill an entire landscape. Many of these historical buildings are surrounded by a park such as Pillnitz and Moritzburg Castle or Großsedlitz Baroque Gardens. It is where visitors can take a deep breath, enjoy the sun, greenery and bright flowers and listen to the silence. For many visitors to Saxony, the historical parks and gardens are a new experience. Picnicking in a park is something quite special, particularly on the grounds of Rammenau Baroque Palace. This impressive building nestles in magnificent green surroundings and breathes the carefree atmosphere of a breezy summer afternoon. The gardens of Delitzsch Palace and Muskau Park – UNESCO World Heritage – radiate their own special charm.
Expert tips from the master gardener The master gardeners and staff in the historical parks and gardens surely know their trade and can give visitors helpful advice. They can also help them understand the work and effort required to maintain and care for a heritage site like Großsedlitz Baroque Gardens. Every year, the approximately four kilometres of hornbeam hedges in these landscape gardens need trimming – on both sides and to a height of about five metres. Incidentally, the magnificent hortensias at Rammenau Baroque Palace are a unique spectacle.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Magical mild summer evenings Golden sounds hover in the air and ebb away under ancient trees and the overgrown ruins of the former monastery at Altzella Abbey. Slow music accompanies the setting sun. Lighting installations veil the ancient walls and bathe the trees in a mysterious light. Melodies can be heard in the park and the magic of a mild summer evening unfolds. The enchanting atmosphere of Saxony’s gardens and parks is unique, not just at Altzella Abbey.
Music, landscape artistry and good food Music and landscape artistry – the master gardeners of bygone days were experts in the art of creating places where enjoyment and the senses could run free. Wackerbarth Palace is a prime example. Summer concerts can be heard regularly on these beautiful grounds in Saxony’s wine region around Dresden. The music and catering are exquisite and the wines are from local winegrowers, for Schloss Wackerbarth offfers a genuine “wine experience“. www.schloesserland-sachsen.de
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Saxony’s top seven hiking trails
Saxon Switzerland - View from the Bastei at sunset © Francois Thierens Saxony’s natural wonders are no less fascinating than its art treasures. Scenic landscapes whet visitors’ appetite for hiking tours full of adventure. Be it the fascinating Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Zittau Mountains, Ore Mountains or the Vogtland: these regions offer great variety for hiking enthusiasts.
Hiking is a pleasure – and a question of quality Getting away from it all, with a good pair of shoes and fresh air in one’s lungs – hiking is relaxation for mind, body and soul – in a gentle sort of way. The perfect scenario is when hikers are rewarded with fantastic views, beautiful paths and inspiring encounters along the way. Seven of Saxony’s numerous hiking trails are certified “quality German hiking trails“. They are the Ore Mountains-Vogtland Kammweg, Vogtland Panorama Weg, Elsterperlenweg, Klingenthaler Höhensteig-Rundweg and Talsperrenweg Zeulenroda in Vogtland, Heide Biber Tour through Dahlener and Dübener Heide and Oberlausitzer Bergweg.
Hiking across a UNESCO World Heritage Site Along its 285 kilometres, the Ore Mountains-Vogtland Kammweg is a challenging hiking trail that boasts unique natural beauty on either side of the Czech-German border. The path runs from the Eastern Ore Mountains via the Vogtland’s Musikwinkel region to Thuringia. It leads through the heart of the Ore Mountains with its mountain villages, historical mines, museums and famous crafts
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
spanning 800 years of mining. There is also much to explore in the way of culinary delights. “Glück auf!“ is a friendly welcome that reflects the genuine warmth of the Ore Mountain locals. By the way, visitors here find themselves in the Ore Mountain/Krušnohoří Mining Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Exploring an Intangible Cultural Heritage Site Covering 228 kilometres, the Vogtland Panorama Weg impresses visitors with over 80 breathtaking panoramic views. The Göltzschtal Viaduct, the world’s largest red-brick viaduct, is surely one of its most spectacular highlights. Those visiting the Vogtland’s Musikwinkel can find out why it is famous for musical instruments. String instruments are not the only ones to have been painstakingly handmade for centuries between the towns of Markneukirchen, Schöneck and Klingenthal. Wind and brass instruments are made here, too. They are part of the intangible cultural heritage of a region that boasts a concentration and range of instrument makers unmatched anywhere in the world.
Hiking in Germany’s smallest highland region Cutting across Saxony’s south-eastern corner is the Oberlausitzer Bergweg. Anyone hiking in this region bordering Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic can conquer long-extinct volcanoes including the Valtenberg, Bieleboh, Kottmar and Lausche. Picturesque villages exhibit the long- standing, unique tradition of Upper Lusatian houses.
The Malerweg and Weinwanderweg One of Germany’s most popular hiking trails is the Malerweg that crosses the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The National Park Saxon Switzerland is known as one of Europe’s most spectacular natural landscapes, full of ravines and peaks. Only a half-hour drive from Dresden, this is where visitors can marvel at Germany’s unique national park with its famous table mountains, mysterious hollows and bizarre rock formations. Another hiking trail of impressive beauty is the Sächsische Weinwanderweg which runs along Saxony’s wine region in the Elbe valley, crossing vineyards with their pleasant wine cellars, with picturesque lookouts as well as small castles, museums and churches that are well worth a visit.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
Refreshingly new: Saxony’s New Lake Landscapes
Leipzig-Plagwitz © Andreas Schmidt Saxony is known for its cultural treasures and wonders of nature. But what many don’t know yet: Paradisiacal travel destinations were created with the Lusatian Lake District and the Leipzig New Lakeland – beautiful landscapes providing attractive leisure offers for adventurers and those seeking relaxation. Where excavators once ripped up the ground and drilled deep holes, sailing boats are now sailing in the wind while surfers, wakeboarders and stand-up paddlers pierce through the turquoise water surface or dive to the bottom.
The Lusatian Lake District: holiday paradise with thousands of possibilities
For more than 150 years, Lusatia has been known primarily as brown coal provider. But for three decades, much has been changing: the cranes and excavators have yielded to marinas, ice cream parlours, restaurants, playgrounds and rental stations for water sports equipment and bicycles as well as swimming houses. Glistening lakes with crystal-clear water have emerged from the dusty pits. Sailing boats are rocking gently in the harbours while visitors are ambling over piers or along the shore: If it wasn’t for the info boards on the development of the former opencast mining region here and there, not many things would remind of the former industrial region. Now, families find an escape from their daily routine here. Ashore, carefully paved bicycle routes invite guests to explore the lake district on different scenic routes. All of them wonderfully level. While circling the lakes there is much to see, like the lookout tower “Rostiger Nagel” (rusty nail).
The level landscape and the good wind are ideal for sailing or surfing holidays, e.g. at the Geierswalder or Senftenberger Lake. Those who prefer water skiing or wakeboarding find the perfect conditions at the Halbendorfer Lake, while kite surfers turn to the Bärwalder Lake. In the evenings, cocktails in roofed wicker beach chairs provide an atmosphere as if in a dream. And at the fine sand beaches right on the doorstep it becomes reality. Camp sites and holiday homes offer relaxation close
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected] Holidays in Saxony – Main topics
to nature, and extravagant overnight stays, e.g. on romantic living rafts or cool house boats, inspire the desire to spend the holidays at and in the water.
The development of Europe’s largest water landscape created by men is a fascinating process that has yet to end. The impressive moon landscapes provide the opportunity to experience the industrial charm of the region on adventurous quad tours or off-road vehicle tours. Old power plants like the “Energiefabrik Knappenrode” serve as museums to keep the history of brown coal mining alive. The former original locations also serve as event venues.
The Leipzig New Lakeland: idyllic holidays with superlatives
Yet another impressive local recreation area was created around Leipzig, the town of music and books. Since the 1990s, the huge open-cast mining pits have been recultivated. The culture island VINETA in the middle of the Störmthaler Lake symbolises this change. It serves as memorial to the many villages that had to make room for open-cast mining and as symbol of the new cultural awakening. By the way, the approach to this special place with its characteristic church is unique in Germany: An amphibian vehicle brings the guests safely across the deep lake to VINETA island. Aside from this way of travelling, the Leipzig New Lakeland provides even more superlatives: Only a few minutes from the Leipzig city centre, the Cospudener Lake with its magnificent marina invites guests to play volleyball, take a sun bath or an actual bath at Saxony’s longest sand beach. The “journey” with the canoe via the canal directly from the city is truly spectacular. In this way, a city trip to the metropolis can be easily combined with a unique nature experience. Meanwhile, Kanupark Markleeberg is all about white water fun. It houses one the world’s most modern white water facilities. The world’s canoeing elite trains in the rapids, side by side with the guests seeking action and an adrenalin rush.
The existing and newly created flora and fauna are just as impressive. Numerous landscape conservation areas amaze the guests time and again. Far away from the city’s hustle and bustle and yet so close to culture and places steeped in history, the Leipzig New Lakeland with its turquoise water, lagoons and camps is a paradise where you can really unwind.
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Saxony Tourism – Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH, Bautzner Straße 45 – 47, 01099 Dresden Phone: +49 351 49 17 025, [email protected]