Associated component parts in the World Heritage Site
Everything comes from the mine – the rich deposits of silver, cobalt, iron, tin and uranium have left their mark in the Erzgebirge; they have paved the way for pioneering accomplishments and developments, and lie at the heart of our UNESCO World Heritage status. An additional 19 significant monuments and attractions complete the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region.
Augustusburg Castle towers above the Erzgebirge gorge, visible for miles around. The castle was built on the orders of August, Elector of Saxony, in 1568 using wealth from the silver mined in the Erzgebirge. The well was sunk to a depth of 130 m, using mining technology to bore deep into the hard rock of the Schellenberg mountain.
The carefully restored Niederzwönitz Paper Mill, which opened in mid July 2020, provides an insight into the importance of paper supply for mining. It is one of Germany’s best-preserved paper factories, and produced “Büttenpapier” (hand-made paper) for Saxony’s mining administration until 1873.
Mining and woodcraft go hand-in-hand in the Erzgebirge. Miners put their mining skills and expertise to use in woodworking, thus ensuring additional income when the ore deposits began to dry up. As early as the beginning of the 18th century, wooden toys from the Erzgebirge were being traded in Europe and across the globe. At the Freilichtmuseum Seiffen open-air museum, visitors can watch demonstrations of traditional “Reifendrehen” (wood-turning) and toy-making techniques.
Mining had a deep and lasting impact on the landscape, art and culture of our mining region, as well as on its science, economy, politics and society. Take a journey of discovery through the Erzgebirge.
<div class="teaser--tags">
</div>
<div class="teaser--tags">
</div>
<div class="teaser--tags">
</div>
<div class="teaser--tags">
</div>
