Augustusburg Hunting Lodge was once the residence of the von Schellenberg family. Perched atop a hill named after the resident family, the castle is now considered historical landmark and tourist attraction. Surrounded by miles of pristine green woods and the mighty Ore Mountains, the castle offers breath-taking, panoramic views of the neighboring areas. Known for its outstanding architecture and fabulous interiors designs, Jagdschloss Augustusburg is considered to be one of the finest structures in the city. It houses one of the largest motorcycle museums in Europe that attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from far and wide.
Located in the city of Schwarzenberg, the Schwarzenberg Castle is a popular attraction among young families with children and tourists for its rich history and many fun cultural activities. Towering over rest of the town with its imposing turrets, the castle forms a striking postcard perfect picture. Dating back to the 12th Century, it has been remarkably well preserved and its interiors refurbished to form a charming historical palace where visitors can take part in adventure hikes around the castle, creative workshops, fun games and also attend traditional and modern music concerts in the cellar. A museum, a music school and a community college are located in the castle building as well.
Perched above a forested bluff with the serpentine river Zwickau Mulde flowing beneath it, Schloss Rochsburg stands majestically overlooking the valley. An iconic landmark, this splendid castle is said to be from the Middle Ages with a mention of it towards the end of the 12th Century. Its present form is from the 16th Century when its fortified appearance was modified. Owned by the Schönburg family till 1945, it is an impressive Renaissance masterpiece in the region. Its fairy-tale like settings will almost transport you into a land of mystery and legends. The castle was transformed into a museum since 1911 and gives and enchanting glimpse of its nearly thousand-year old history. Get to know the lifestyles of the Counts of Schönburg as you explore the ornate rooms or chronicle the thousand years of textile history where you get to know the fashion sensibilities of the various eras. There are also arts and crafts exhibits that are equally engaging. Schloss Rochsburg also hosts events throughout the year showcasing the culture of the area.
Schloss Wildeck is a former royal hunting lodge and is probably among the oldest structures in town. Built on the site of an ancient fortress of which only the keep Dicker Heinrich (Fat Henry) is now existing, the exact date of construction of the castle is unknown. Climb 144 steps to reach the top of Fat Henry and get to know its history from the showcases and boards along the way. The view is fantastic once you reach the peak. Explore the Blau-weiße Stube (Blue and White Parlor), Grüner Saal (Green Hall), Gelbe Kammer (Yellow Chamber) and Roter Saal (Red Hall) in the manor which were named according to their color themes. Get impressed by their Renaissance-style decor. Schloss Wildeck also is a museum with exhibition rooms that are very interesting. Motorbike fans will love the motorcycle exhibits of DKW and MZ models and giving a glimpse into its origin through media presentation and prototypes. While its stables are the home of an archival coin workshop, bookbinder's shop, stamp workshop and a book printing museum. Head to the Regimentskeller to get fascinated by the collection of minerals from the Ore Mountains. Take care of your hunger pangs at their on-site restaurant. With so much in the offing, this is indeed a place not to be missed.
The market square is dotted with many historical buildings and architectural gems. Among them is the Neues Rathaus. Built as a Renaissance style noble house in 1561, it has a striking stone portal at its entrance. However due to a town fire, it was rebuilt in the 18th Century in Baroque style. The edifice looks picture perfect and as new as ever now.
Zschopau is nestled in the heart of the Ore Mountains and is enveloped by woods, rocks and open areas. Most of its surrounding areas are part of a protected nature reserve, so it has innumerable hiking trails marked for all seasons. Discovering this historic town by walking or cycling will be an experience in itself. It is named after its namesake river and its existence was recorded towards the end of the 13th Century. It is also known as the "Motorcycle Town" as it is the birthplace of DKW and MZ motorcycle brands. Some of the interesting sites to visit are the Schloss Wildeck and its Baroque garden, St. Martin Church and Holy Trinity Mine.
Siegertsches Haus was built in the 18th Century by Johann Christoph Naumann and has a beautiful Baroque facade. However during the bombings of the World War II, the building was destroyed except the exterior. It was rebuilt with its original Baroque front between 1953 to 1954. Among the plain structures on the market, this is indeed a decorative one.
Located on the outskirts of the downtown Freiberg, Schloss Freudenstein was built in the Renaissance style 1577 and was used as a military base during the 30 Years War. Formerly the residence of Duke Henry the Pious, the castle passed down through the generations before being taken over by the military treasury in 1784 and converted into a magazine. Presently owned by the state, the castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions.
Neues Rathaus is the third of the city halls and was built between 1907 to 1911 by Richard Möbius. This beautiful Art Nouveau structure is on the same complex as the Altes Rathaus. It was the only building that survived the World War II bombings. It also features various artworks in its many rooms. It has a carillon with 48 bells in its tower and a lovely Roland statue on its facade.
The pride of the German city of Burg, this majestic lowland castle overlooks the restful waters of the Zwickau Mulde from its picturesque eastern banks. The castle is believed to have been built in 1200 and sports a wide range of Romanesque features such as circular donjons, formidable battlements, and a stunning imperial court. The castle was at a point in time so prominent that it was designated as the seat of the Barony of Stein in 1701.
Stadtkirche St. Petri or Petrikirche was built as a Romanesque basilica. This church is built elevated from the ground level, giving scintillating views of the city. The church's building is adorned with the tallest spire in the city of Freiberg, measuring 72 meters (236.22 feet). This 12th-century church is not only a place of worship of the locals but also a meeting place for celebrations and events.
Eisenhammer Dorfchemnitz is a hammer mill that dates back to the 16th Century. Currently, the site has a museum of technology and also houses a local history room. The hammer is still functional and is well preserved. It is a place of historical importance as the mill has been a significant place in industrial development of the Ore Mountains.