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Destinations > Germany > Saxony

Traveling in Saxony

Saxony is one of the most culturally and scenically diverse regions in Germany. Whether it’s impressive architecture, fascinating museums, delicious food or breathtaking nature – Saxony has it all.

The Free State of Saxony is located in the east of the Federal Republic of Germany. The state capital is Dresden, the most populous city is Leipzig.

The region is a paradise for culture lovers. Dresden, also known as the “Florence on the Elbe”, impresses with world-famous sights such as the Frauenkirche, the baroque Zwinger and the Semper Opera House. The city enchants visitors with its impressive architecture and lively museum scene. Another highlight is Leipzig, a city known for its musical history (Bach and Mendelssohn) and creative atmosphere. Here you can feel the pulse of modern culture.

Saxony is a dream come true for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. Saxon Switzerland, with its spectacular sandstone formations and the famous Bastei rock, offers countless hiking trails through one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. The Ore Mountains with their picturesque valleys and forests are also a paradise for outdoor activities.

The Saxon cuisine is a delight for gourmets. From traditional specialties such as Saxon Sauerbraten and Leipziger Allerlei to sweet delicacies such as Eierschecke. The wine-growing areas along the Saxon Wine Route, e.g. in Radebeul or Meißen, also invite you to taste regional wines. Traditional breweries such as the Radeberger Exportbierbrauerei, known for the popular Radeberger Pilsner, or smaller craft breweries in the region invite you to enjoy the diversity of Saxon brewing. Leipzig in particular offers beer lovers something unique: Leipzig Gose beer. This top-fermented beer with a slightly salty-sour taste is a real Saxon specialty and a must for beer lovers.

Discover travel destinations in Saxony

Saxony, a beautiful and diverse travel destination in Germany. We present our travel destinations in Saxony in our reports.

Dresden
Citytrip to Dresden

The capital of Saxony is called Dresden and is located on the Elbe River. The beautiful baroque architecture brings many visitors to a city trip to Dresden.

Citytrip to Dresden   →
Elbsandsteingebirge
Holiday in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains stretch along the Elbe between Pirna in Saxony and Dĕčín in the Czech Republic. For most holidaymakers, a holiday in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is associated with hiking.

Holiday in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains   →
Görlitz
Görlitz - the film city

Who would have known? The easternmost city in Germany is called Görlitz and is located in Upper Lusatia on the beautiful Neisse River.

Görlitz - the film city   →
Leipzig
City trip to Leipzig

The largest city in Saxony is Leipzig. You can always go on a city trip to Leipzig, the city is simply unique and diverse culturally and historically, so you can always discover something new.

City trip to Leipzig   →
Urlaub in Meißen
Holiday in Meissen

Only about 24 kilometres northwest of Dresden lies the beautiful porcelain city of Meißen. Visitors are mainly drawn to the city because of the world-famous porcelain manufactory, but a holiday in Meißen offers much more.

Holiday in Meissen   →
Erzgebirge
Holiday in the Ore Mountains

The Ore Mountains run along the Saxon-Czech border. On a holiday in the Ore Mountains, the focus is especially on experiencing nature.

Holiday in the Ore Mountains   →
Plauen Spitzenstadt altes Rathaus
Plauen - the Lace City

The city of Plauen is located in the Vogtland region of Saxony. It is known for the production of Plauen lace and attracts visitors to the city with numerous offers.

Plauen - the Lace City   →
Radeberg
Saxon Beer Town Radeberg

The beer town of Radeberg is located northeast of Dresden. It is the centre of the Radeberg region and the ideal starting point for interesting excursions into the region.

Saxon Beer Town Radeberg   →
Bergmassiv Zittauer Gebirge
Upper Lusatian

In the very east of Saxony is the scenically very attractive area of Upper Lusatia. The northern area is characterised by the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape, while the Upper Lusatian Mountains are located in the south. The centre of the region is the city of Bautzen.

Upper Lusatian   →
Urlaub im Vogtland
Holiday in the Vogtland

In the south-west of Saxony lies the Vogtland, which extends to Thuringia and Bavaria. If you are looking for a break in a dreamlike landscape and interesting places, you should take a holiday in the Vogtland.

Holiday in the Vogtland   →
Region Zwickau
Zwickau region

The city of Zwickau with the surrounding Zwickau region is located in south-western Saxony. The area borders Thuringia, the Vogtlandkreis district, the Erzgebirgskreis district, Chemnitz and the Mittelsachsen district. Holidays in Zwickau and the surrounding region are relaxing and varied.

Zwickau region   →

All our experiences in Saxony

sights in Leipzig

20 sights in Leipzig

Leipzig, the lively city of culture and trade fairs in the heart of Saxony, delights visitors with its fascinating mix of history, art and modern lifestyle. Whether impressive historical buildings, idyllic parks or exciting museums – the sights in Leipzig offer something to suit every taste.

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Motel One Leipzig-Post

Motel One Leipzig-Post: Hotel tip at Augustusplatz

The former main post office building is located directly on Leipzig’s Augustusplatz. Today, you can stay at the Motel One Leipzig-Post right in the heart of the city.

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museums in Leipzig

10 great museums in Leipzig

Leipzig is not just a city of music. There is much more to discover here. The museums in Leipzig offer a wide range of topics so that everyone can find something to suit their interests.

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Leipzig Central Station

Leipzig Central Station – large and impressive

As soon as the train pulls into the Leipzig Central Station, you can see from the windows that it is not a small station. Countless tracks run in front of the building and, for a layman, there is a wild confusion of points and tracks. It’s a good thing that the technology clears the right paths and we can finally pull into the station.

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Leipziger Lerchen

Leipziger Lerchen: A traditional pastry from Leipzig

Leipziger Lerchen are a well-known and traditional pastry from Leipzig. A visit to Leipzig without having tried a Lerche is actually an incomplete visit.

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Leipzig Music Trail

Leipziger Notenspur (Leipzig Music Trail)- Experience music history

Leipzig is one of Germany’s cultural strongholds. Famous artists were at home here, gave concerts and left their mark. The Leipzig Music Trail connects interesting places and offers the opportunity to experience a somewhat different tour of the city.

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Leipziger Gose

Typical Leipzig beer – Leipziger Gose

Leipziger is famous for its Leipziger Gose. Gose is brewed in various specialized breweries in and around Leipzig and is a rather unexpected experience in terms of taste.

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Friedlichen Revolution in Leipzig

Leipzig city tour on the subject of the “Peaceful Revolution”

A city tour of Leipzig can be undertaken from many different perspectives, alone or with a guide. There is a lot to discover, so we set off in search of clues through the city.

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Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig: Konferenztisch Pieck

Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig (Contemporary History Leipzig)

The Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig, centrally located in the heart of Leipzig, not far from the historic Square of the Peaceful Revolution, is more than just a museum. It is a cultural institution dedicated to the reappraisal and presentation of German history after 1945.

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Kompnierstube im Bach-Museum Leipzig

Bach-Museum Leipzig

As a city of musicians, Leipzig’s museums offer many an interesting insight into the lives of artists. The Bach Museum in Leipzig focuses on the life and works of Johann Sebastian Bach.

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Leipzig Card

Leipzig Card – great discounts with the Welcome Card

The Leipzig Card is the perfect companion for an unforgettable stay in the city of Leipzig. Discover Leipzig in your own way with the Leipzig Card. This essential travel accessory is the key to a wonderful trip in one of Germany’s most dynamic and culturally rich cities.

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Panorama Tower – bester Aussichtspunkt in Leipzig

Panorama Tower – best vantage point in Leipzig

We enter the entrance area of a high-rise building on Augustusplatz. Here in the Panorama Tower is the best vantage point in Leipzig, which we want to visit.

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Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig

Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig – Restaurant and show visit

Leipzig is a city of culture with a wide and varied offer. A visit to the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig should definitely be part of your plans for your stay in the city.

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Felix Mendelssohn Bardholdy

Mendelssohn House Leipzig: In the footsteps of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

From the outside, the three-storey building looks very inconspicuous and I almost walked past the entrance. The famous Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy once lived here at Goldschmidtstraße 12 in Leipzig, and today it houses a museum.

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Motorbootfahrt durch Leipzig

Motorboat trip through Leipzig’s “Little Venice”

You can experience a very different kind of city tour on a motorboat trip through Leipzig. We enjoyed the greenery of Leipzig as we cruised along the city’s waterways.

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Gewandhaus zu Leipzig

Gewandhaus in Leipzig – pure musical enjoyment

A large building complex on Augustusplatz attracts our attention. The building is the world-famous Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, one of the most outstanding musical venues in Germany.

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Robert Schuhmann Denkmal

11 places in Zwickau that you should see

Many visitors associate Zwickau with cars and Robert Schumann. The city has much more to offer and so we went on a city tour in Zwickau.

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Crimmitschau Hotel Villa 4 Jahreszeiten

The Crimmitschau factory owners – villas

Crimmitschau is located very close to Zwickau and is a typical industrial town. Mainly textiles were produced here and the nickname “city of 100 chimneys” was more than justified for many years.

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Schloss Waldenburg

Waldenburg Castle – visit to a fairy tale castle

The small town of Waldenburg is located on the Zwickauer Mulde River. Here stands the beautiful Waldenburg Castle with its castle park.

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Automobilmuseum in Zwickau

Cars everywhere cars: the automobile museum in Zwickau

For me, Zwickau was always linked to the topic of “cars” and so we were also drawn to the August Horch Museum. This automobile museum in Zwickau is located on the European Route of Industrial Culture and depicts the history of automobile manufacturing in the city.

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Robert-Schumann-Haus

Robert Schumann in Zwickau

The composer and musician Robert Schumann was born in Zwickau on June 8, 1810. His reconstructed birthplace, the Robert Schumann House, houses a unique museum.

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Museum - Naturalienkabinett Waldenburg: on the trail of the wonder of nature

Museum – Naturalienkabinett Waldenburg: on the trail of the wonder of nature

In Saxony there is the Museum-Naturalienkabinett Waldenburg (natural history cabinet), an impressive historical collection with numerous objects from the field of nature and astronomical and physical equipment, as well as arts and crafts exhibits from the Baroque period.

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Tuchfabrik Pfau Webstühle

Pfau Brothers Cloth Factory – Experience Industrial Culture

The Pfau cloth factory is located in the Saxon textile town of Crimmitschau near Zwickau. Here you can learn about textile production from the spinning mill to the weaving mill.

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Johannisbad in Zwickau

Johannisbad – swimming in the historic swimming pool

There are many swimming pools. Some are practical and unspectacular, others large and equipped with many different offerings – and there is the Johannisbad in Zwickau. A place that welcomes its visitors with charm, a swimming pool to feel good in.

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Distanzsäule und Alte Elsterbrücke

City walk through Plauen

Plauen can be discovered wonderfully during a city walk. The distances are not particularly large and there is something to discover at almost every corner.

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Biergarten Matsch

Where to eat and drink well in Plauen

During our time in Plauen we visited some restaurants, cafes and pubs. Eating in Plauen, everyone will find something for his taste.

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Johanniskirche Plauen

Plauen churches

Plauen has some very beautiful churches, which can be easily visited during a city walk. We were in the Lutherkirche and the Johanniskirche, both of which are within easy walking distance from the old town.

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Plauener Spitze

Plauen Lace Museum

Standing on the Altmarkt in Plauen, you can not only admire the beautiful Old Town Hall, but will also find there the entrance to the Plauen Lace Museum. A unique museum that you should plan to visit during your stay in the city.

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Nähmaschine im Museum in Plauen

Plauen lace show embroidery – how is the famous Plauen lace made?

Plauen lace is known all over the world. In Plauen you can learn everything about the production and watch how the lace was made in the show embroidery Plauener Lace.

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Plauen Weberhäuser

Weavers’ houses and craftsmen’s yard – a place of creativity

Below the Plauen Malt House and St. John’s Church runs the Mühlgraben. Here stands a row of houses that are over 500 years old and are now known as weavers’ houses.

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Alaunbergwerk Plauen

Plauen alum mine – a visit to the mine

In the immediate vicinity of the large pedestrian zone is the entrance to the former alum mine Plauen. Here you can take part in individual guided tours and learn about the mining history of the city.

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Vogtländisch sprechen

Vogtlandmuseum Plauen – on the trail of the history of the Vogtland region

The city of Plauen is located in the beautiful Vogtland. In the Vogtland Museum Plauen you can learn not only about the history of the city, but also about the Vogtland.

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Lobby Hotel Alexandra

Hotel Alexandra

Looking for a hotel in Plauen? During our visit we stayed at the Hotel Alexandra directly in the pedestrian zone of the city center.

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Privatbrauerei Schwerter Meißen

Private Brewery Schwerter Meißen

One of the oldest private breweries in Saxony can be found in Meißen. The private brewery Schwerter Meißen GmbH not only sells its beer in shops, but also has a brewery that is located in a commercial area.

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City tour of Meißen

Meißen is great to discover on foot. The distances on a city tour are not particularly long and there is a lot to see.

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Albrechtsburg

A castle that is actually a palace – Albrechtsburg Castle

In Meissen, Albrechtsburg Castle stands high above the city. It is said to be Germany’s first castle building and is now a protected architectural monument.

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Meißner Fummel

Meissen Fummel

Once upon a time … that’s how the story about the Meissen Fummel begins. You soon find out exactly what it’s all about when you’re out and about in the Saxon city.

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Meissen porcelain – the dream of white gold

The subject of porcelain has fascinated mankind for many years. Meissen is famous for its beautiful and exquisite Meissen porcelain, so a visit to the Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH is simply part of a visit to the city.

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Hoher Chor Altar

A visit to Meissen Cathedral and a climb up the tower

Meissen Cathedral bears the name of St. Johannis and St. Donatus. Together with Albrechtsburg Castle, it rises high above the city and is Meissen’s landmark, visible from afar.

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Weg entlang der Neiße

Pilgrimage on the Via Sacra in Upper Lusatia

Pilgrimage on the Via Sacra – for me it went for the first time on pilgrimage in Upper Lusatia: from Oybin to Görlitz in three stages with visits to sacred sites, on foot and by bike. Three wonderful and varied days that made me want to go on further adventures.

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Kloster St.Marienthal

St. Marienthal Monastery

Between Zittau and Görlitz, south of Ostritz lies directly on the Neisse River the monastery St.Marienthal. The monastery is a Cistercian abbey and the oldest women’s monastery of the order in Germany.

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Teilausschnitt Großes Zittauer Fastentuch

Zittau Lenten Cloths

The Zittau Lenten Cloths belong to the most famous ecclesiastical cultural treasures of Upper Lusatia. You can see them in the Museum of Cultural History and the Church of the Holy Cross in the city of Zittau.

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Burg- und Klosterruine in Oybin

Castle and monastery ruins in Oybin

In the Zittau Mountains in Saxony lies the small town of Oybin. Above the village rises the Oybin, a 514 meter high mountain and on it are the ruins of Oybin Castle. A place that is interesting not only for fans of castles, but has written a piece of history.

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Zittauer Schmalspurbahn

By narrow gauge railroad from Zittau to Oybin

Not only the eyes of railroad fans or children shine, I was also completely thrilled to be able to ride the Zittau narrow gauge railroad in Upper Lusatia.

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„Görliwood Entdeckertour“

Film City Görlitz – a bus tour

Görlitz is associated with film like hardly any other city. Famous Hollywood actors and filmmakers come to the film city of Görlitz. It is not for nothing that the city is also called “Görliwood”.

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Reichenbacher Turm

Reichenbach Tower – Tower Tour in Görlitz

The Reichenbach Tower in Görlitz is one of the five towers that can be visited regularly in the city. It stands opposite the Kaisertrutz and is part of the Museum of Cultural History, where you can also get tickets.

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Grabkapelle Heilige Grab Görlitz

Holy Sepulchre in Görlitz

The Holy Sepulchre in Görlitz is one of the city’s most important sights. It is a scaled-down copy of the original in Jerusalem and was built as a religious work of art.

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Eingang zum Ochsenzwinger

Nikolaizwinger – from a defensive system to a green space

Görlitz was once surrounded by a double ring of city walls. The Nikolaizwinger is a preserved remnant of the defences around the city.

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friedhof Görlitz

Of graves and crypts in the Nikolai cemetery

Cemeteries have a very special attraction, telling the story of a region in a very different way. The Nikolaifriedhof in Görlitz dates back to the 12th century and there is much to discover.

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Meridiandenkmal in Görlitz

Görlitz – the clocks go right here

Görlitz not only has a beautiful old town, but also two geographical features to offer. And quite honestly – I wouldn’t have known it!

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Rathausturm Görlitz

Tower tour of the town hall tower in Görlitz

The best view from one of the many towers in Görlitz can certainly be enjoyed from the Town Hall Tower. The climb is worthwhile and is simply part of a visit to the city.

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Biergarten in Görlitz

Görlitz Bierblume Brewery

During a walk along the Neißstraße in Görlitz, we discovered tables and chairs under some arches of a house where guests were sitting with glasses of beer. The Görlitz Bierblume brewery magically attracted us and we stopped in.

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Kulturhistorisches Museum Görlitz - Bibliothek

Cultural History Museum Görlitz

The Görlitz Museum of Cultural History is a regional museum that is located in three buildings within the city limits: the Baroque House, the Kaisertrutz and the Reichenbach Tower. We took a look at the three quite different areas in the Kulturhistorisches Museum Görlitz and this much we can reveal in advance – it was really interesting.

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Turmspitzen

St. Peter’s Church – a landmark of Görlitz

The parish church of St. Peter and Paul is better known in Görlitz as St. Peter’s Church. It stands above the Neisse valley and its distinctive spires provided me with an ideal orientation aid in the old town.

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Landskron Brau-Manufaktur

Landskron Brewery Manufactory

Görlitz beer from the Landskron Brau-Manufaktur (Brewery Manufactory) – we went on a journey of discovery through the brewery and, of course, tasted lots of beer.

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Dicker Turm Görlitz

Where students once danced – Dicker Turm Görlitz

In Görlitz you can find some remains of the historic city fortifications. We were particularly interested in the towers and so we explored the “Dicken Turm” during our tower tour.

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Ausstellung im Residenzschloss Dresden

Dresden Residence Palace – a highlight of a city visit to Dresden

In the heart of Dresden’s city centre lies the Renaissance building of the Residenzschloss. It is home to some of the city’s most beautiful and interesting museums, and here you can visit the world-famous Historic Green Vault.

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Feldschlößchen Stammhaus

Feldschlößchen Stammhaus – beer and food in Dresden

The former machine house of the “Aktienbrauerei zum Feldschlösschen” is located in Budapester Straße. Here you can not only drink the beer of the Dresden brewery, but also enjoy good hearty food.

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Standseilbahn in Dresden

Ride on the Dresden funicular railway

Dresden not only has an aerial tramway, here a funicular railway also runs up the Loschwitz slope of the Elbe.

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Rennrodelbahn am Fichtelberg

Hike to the old luge track on the Fichtelberg mountain

At the foot of the Fichtelberg in the Ore Mountains lies the town of Oberwiesenthal. At 915 metres above sea level, it is the highest town in Germany. In winter, it is a great place for winter sports, and in the snow-free season, hiking trails attract visitors.

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Wanderung zur Bastei

Hiking to the Bastei

In beautiful weather, we set off from Bad Schandau to tackle our planned hike to the Bastei. First we take the train to Rathen.

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Unterwegs in Bad Schandau

Hiking in Bad Schandau

Bad Schandau in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is easily accessible by train. It is easy to discover many different hiking routes from here. We did two half-day tours, which were very varied and left lots of wonderful and atmospheric impressions.

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Semperoper

Semper Opera – visit to one of the most beautiful opera houses

The Semper Opera House, an opera house that many visitors to the city on the Elbe know from the outside, is located on Theaterplatz in the historic city centre of Dresden. You can also take part in guided tours of the building.

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Eingang zum Naturschutzgebiet Zechengrund

Short hike through the Zechengrund nature reserve

Oberwiesenthal lies directly on the border with the Czech Republic and the Zechengrund nature reserve forms a section of the direct border.

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Bautzner Strasse Memorial Dresden

A little off the beaten track, in the Neustadt district, is one of the most impressive and depressing places I have visited so far, the Bautzner Strasse Dresden Memorial, a former “Stasi” prison.

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Fichtelbergschanzen

Winter sports in summer – about ski jumpers and ski rollers in Oberwiesenthal

Oberwiesenthal is one of Germany’s winter sports resorts, where top athletes hold their competitions and of course train. But what is it like in summer? Do the facilities of the Fichtelbergschanzen stand deserted in the terrain?

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Fichtelbergbahn

By narrow-gauge railway from Oberwiesenthal to Niederschlag

The Fichtelbergbahn is a narrow-gauge railway that runs from Cranzahl in Saxony to the highest town in Germany, the town of Oberwiesenthal. The route is just over 17 kilometres long and is one of the most popular excursion tips in the Ore Mountains.

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Übernachten im Seecontainer

Overnight stay in sea container in Schöneck

A really unusual overnight stay can be found in Schöneck in the Vogtland. Spending the night in a Tinyhouse is already something special, but spending the night in a sea container was a wonderful time-out for us and a unique experience.

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Brückendetail, Göltzschtalbrücke

Göltzschtal Bridge – the largest brick bridge in the world

In pictures, the Göltzschtal Bridge already looks very impressive, but when you see it in reality, it is even more impressive and I can understand why it is the landmark of the Vogtland.

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Schöneck im Vogtland

Schöneck/Vogtland – a short walk

Schöneck/Vogtland is not far from Plauen. The town is the highest town in the Vogtland region and a popular recreation and winter sports resort that is just perfect for a time out.

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Sächsische Schmalspurbahn-Museum Rittersgrün

A dream for railway fans: Saxon Narrow-gauge Railway Museum Rittersgrün

It always surprises me when we discover the most interesting and lovingly designed museums in the smallest places. The Saxon Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum in Rittersgrün is just such a discovery.

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Burg Scharfenstein

Castles in the Ore Mountains: Scharfenstein Castle

In the Ore Mountains about 5 kilometers from Zschopau, lies the small village of Scharfenstein. High above the valley on a mountain spur towers the castle Scharfenstein.

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Radeberg - Likör

A city tour along the „City of Beer Path“ and relaxing on the „Planet Path“ in Radeberg

A city tour and relaxation are two sides of the same coin in Radeberg. We went out to explore the City of Beer Path (Bierstadtpfad) and the Planet Path (Planetenwanderweg).

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A trip to Radeberg and a visit to the brewery just belong together. As part of our research trip to Radeberg, we, too, visited the Export Beer Brewery Radeberg.

A trip to the Export Beer Brewery Radeberg

A trip to Radeberg and a visit to the brewery just belong together. As part of our research trip to Radeberg, we, too, visited the Export Beer Brewery Radeberg.

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Hotel Kaiserhof in Radeberg

Hotel Kaiserhof in Radeberg and a visit to the Mundart Theatre (vernacular theatre) in Saxony

The Hotel Kaiserhof at the edge of Radeberg’s Old Town is somewhat of a central hub. We were invited to spend a relaxing night there. But not before we had a refresher session for our „language skills“ in the Beer Theatre.

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castle Klippenstein

A visit to Castle Klippenstein in Radeberg

Whenever I heard „Radeberg, “ I thought of beer. As it turned that was a big mistake, there is so much more to it than that. For example the Castle Klippenstein.

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Hiking – on tour around Bad Schandau

Hiking – on tour around Bad Schandau

Three days in Bad Schandau and one firm goal: We are going to go hiking despite the temperature being 30 degrees! After we dropped off the bags in the hotel on the day of our arrival we grabbed our cameras and some water and began to explore our surroundings.

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A visit to the Königstein fortress in the Elbe sandstone highlands

A visit to the Königstein fortress in the Elbe sandstone highlands

During a short trip to Saxon Switzerland, I was drawn to the fortress Königstein. My last visit was more than 10 years ago and the weather was awful – this time it was sunny and I enjoyed my visit to the fullest.

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Striezelmarkt

Christmas market in Dresden – Striezelmarkt

Every year around the end of November the oldest Christmas market in Germany opens its gates; the Striezelmarkt in Dresden. We went on an excursion to this traditional Christmas market in Dresden.

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metropolis on the Elbe

Dresden – impressions from the metropolis on the Elbe

We went for a little stroll through Dresden, a metropolis on the Elbe. We’d like to share our impressions. Especially when it gets dark the scenery becomes fascinating.

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Dresden Frauenkirche

Dresden Frauenkirche

Dresden is home to the Frauenkirche (Chruch of Our Lady). The original name “Unserer Lieben Frauen“ (Our beloved ladies) got shortened over the years to become the term that is used today: Frauenkirche. It is one of the most visited sights in Dresden.

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Golden Horseman stands on the Neustadt market and is one of the landmarks of Dresden.

Golden Horseman on the market square Neustädter Markt

The statue of August the Strong shimmers golden across the Elbe. The Golden Horseman stands on the Neustadt market and is one of the landmarks of Dresden.

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Procession of Princes - Mural in Dresden

Procession of Princes – Mural in Dresden

The Procession of the Princes is a wall picture of enormous size that depicts a cavalcade. It can be found on Augustusstreet on the outside of the sable of the Dresden Castle (Residenzschloss).

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Zwinger Palace Dresden

Zwinger Palace Dresden

Right in the heart of Dresden is what might be the most well-known building of the Baroque period – the Zwinger Palace Dresden. It is a must-see for every visitor and it is pretty in every season.

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Blaues Wunder Dresden

The bridge “Blaues Wunder”

The Loschwitz Bridge in Dresden is also called the “Blaues Wunder”. She connects Blasewitz and Loschwitz with each other. On 1.9.1893, construction began on the fifth Dresden Elbe bridge, which until 1912 was still called the König Albert Bridge.

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castles in the Elbe valley

Small castles in the Elbe valley

The three Elbe Castles are located on the Elbe hillside in Dresden. They are called “Albrechtsschlösser” by the public and are part of the World Cultural Heritage Elbe Valley (2007 – 2009).

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Overhead Railway in Dresden

Overhead Railway in Dresden

The world’s oldest mountain overhead railway can be found in Dresden. It was opened on the 6th of May 1901 and runs between Loschwitz and Oberloschwitz. The cart climbs the elevation gain of 84 meters in only four minutes and 30 seconds.

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Old town Leipzig

Old town Leipzig – a little stroll

Of course, a stroll through the old town of Leipzig is simply part of a weekend visit. We set off without a plan and just went to see what there was to see.

And there really is a lot to see in the small and charming old town. I’ve just put together a few places here that we really liked.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Augustus Square (Augustusplatz)
  • 2 St. Thomas Church
    • 2.1 J.S. Bach's tomb in St. Thomas Church
  • 3 St. Nicholas Church in the old town of Leipzig
  • 4 The market

Augustus Square (Augustusplatz)

Augustusplatz is almost 40,000 m2 in size and is one of the largest city squares in Germany. It is located on the eastern edge of the old town and was the starting point of our stroll through the city.
From 1945 until German reunification, the square was called Karl-Marx-Platz. Today it bears the name of Friedrich Augustus I, after the first ruler of the Kingdom of Saxony.
Today, buildings from various periods of Leipzig architecture can be found around the square.

Augustusplatz Leipzig Old Town

The first thing we saw was the opera house (built in 1960) with the water fountain in front of it. Modern and cool, a typical new building. The first opera house on this site was built by Langhans in 1868 and was completely destroyed in the Second World War. The new building is in the neoclassical style. Many works by Richard Wagner are performed here.

Augustusplatz Gewandhaus

It was only at second glance that I discovered the Mende Fountain, which stands in front of the Neues Gewandhaus (inaugurated in 1981). The Mendebrunnen is the only element of the original square ensemble that has been preserved. It is the oldest fountain in Leipzig. The Mendebrunnen was inaugurated in 1886 and was also used to supply the population with water.

Mendebrunnen Leipzig

The Gewandhaus in the background makes the fountain barely noticeable in daylight. But as soon as it gets dark, it is clearly the highlight of Augustsplatz.

Panorama Tower Leipzig

The City Tower, now known as the Panorama Tower, has stood right next to the Gewandhaus since 1972. A trip up to the viewing platform is not to be missed. The view over the city is breathtaking!

Old Town Leipzih, University

For me, the modern university building was the most impressive building on Augustusplatz. The new Augusteum was only completed in 2012 as part of the new campus construction. The Paulinum, assembly hall and university church were integrated into the new building.
For me, it’s a really great modern building that is a real eye-catcher, especially with its shimmering blue window fronts.

Grimmaische Straße leads from Augustplatz into the pedestrian zone of the old town.

St. Thomas Church

Who hasn’t heard of it, one of the most famous choirs in Germany – the St. Thomas Choir. St. Thomas Church, one of Leipzig’s main churches, is not only the home of the famous choir, Johann Sebastian Bach also worked here. His grave is located here today.

Thomaskirche in Leipzig

As I stand in front of the church, the first thing I notice is the roof. It is unusually steep and is said to be one of the steepest gabled roofs in Germany. At 76 meters, the church is quite imposing. Something I have not often seen before is a chancel that is angled slightly to the north. The church building certainly had to be adapted to the size of the building site.

The tower of St. Thomas Church in the old town of Leipzig can be visited as part of a guided tour. You then climb around 232 steps up to the former tower room and of course you can also enjoy the view over the old town.

Thomanachor Leipzig

The tourist buses queue up outside the church and people stream into the church. But it’s “just” a church, you’ll only hear the choir here at concerts. I don’t find the church really beautiful and stunning at first glance. The numbered pews are tightly packed right up to the last corner of the room, making the nave seem very crowded.

Old Town of Leipzig - Thomaskirche

But then I take the time to take a closer look at the three-aisled hall church. I particularly like the ceiling of the nave. There are not many contrasting colored ribbed vaults that are so artistically crafted.

I also really like the windows of the church. On the south side, for example, they depict Johann Sebastian Bach, Martin Luther and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. The bright colors and colorful windows make the nave bright and friendly.

J.S. Bach’s tomb in St. Thomas Church

Of course, I also looked around for the grave of Johann Sebastian Bach. After his death, Bach was buried in the hospital cemetery of St. John’s Church. The exact grave site did not seem to have been handed down.

Grab J.S.Bach

In 1836, it was Robert Schuman who became involved with Bach and tried to determine the exact burial place. A professor was commissioned to identify bones found during the demolition of the south wall of St. John’s Church as the remains of Bach. He found that the bones of an elderly man were most likely the remains of Johann Sebastian Bach. In 1900, the remains were buried in a limestone sarcophagus in a crypt under the altar of St. John’s Church.

During the Second World War, St. John’s Church burned down completely after bombing raids. The sarcophagus remained intact and before the remains of the church were blown up, it was moved to St. Thomas Church.

Thomaskirche Old Town Leipzig

St. Nicholas Church in the old town of Leipzig

Leipzig’s second and largest church is also located in the heart of the old town. The city and parish church of St. Nikolai is also the oldest and, alongside St. Thomas’ Church, the best-known church in Leipzig’s Old Town.

Nikolaikirche Leipzig

The church was built around 1165 in Romanesque style, later extended and converted into a late Gothic hall church with three naves. The octagonal central tower was also built later (1555) and was raised again around 1730 by adding a tower keeper’s dwelling. The tower keeper of the Nikolaikirche lived and worked there until 1932.

As we enter the church, the first thing we notice is the unusual design of the columns. Between 1784 and 1797, they were transformed into palm columns. It really does look as if the column is the trunk of a palm tree and the palm leaves form a flowing transition to the ceiling of the church.

Innenraumgestaltung Nikolaikirche Old Town Leipzig

Martin Luther preached in the church, driving forward the Reformation in the country. The so-called Luther pulpit from 1521 is a reminder of this. Johann Sebastian Bach also worked in the Nikolaikirche and performed numerous compositions for the first time.

Old town Leipzig church

But the Nikolaikirche is not just a church. As early as the beginning of the 1980s, the people of Leipzig met here for their Monday prayers, which then led to the peaceful revolution in the GDR in 1989, which ultimately ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. This is certainly why it is now an important place to visit when touring the city.
Today, in addition to church services and prayers for peace, many organ concerts take place here, attracting visitors.

Nikolaikirche Leipzig

The square next to the church, the Nikolaikirchhof, also played an important role during the peaceful revolution. This is where the protests came to a head when the Monday demonstrations took place after the prayer for peace. Today, a memorial stone and a replica of a column from the nave (known as the Peace Column) can be found here to commemorate the time.

In addition to the historical facts surrounding the square, I particularly like the buildings. The Old Nikolai School and the Preacher’s House round off the picture of the square beautifully.

alte Nikolaischule Leipzig

The market

The center of Leipzig’s old town is the market square. The almost rectangular square is about 140 meters long and paved with granite. At the height of the town hall tower, the Leipzig coat of arms is inlaid in colored stone.

Leipzig Old Town hall

On the square are the entrances to the Leipzig S-Bahn station Markt, which is located below the square. The southern access is via the stairs of the former underground exhibition center. This was built in 1924/1925 under the market square with 1800 m² of exhibition space and was used until 2004. On the back is a relief a relief showing the history of the square.

Leipzig Old Town

The most important building on Leipziger Markt is the Old Town Hall. This was remodeled in the middle of the 16th century in the style of the Saxon Renaissance style. The building is over 90 meters long. What is striking is the asymmetrical structure. The tower is not located in the middle of the building. I particularly like the astronomical clock on the west side of the tower. Around the town hall below the top floor is a lettering made of brass letters can be seen.

Technikmuseum

An impressive monument – Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig

I had read a fair bit about the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig. But once again I found evidence that reading and experiencing are two very different things. I would have loved to see my face as our hop on hop off bus stopped in front of the monument.

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Zoo Leipzig

Leipzig Zoo – my personal highlight in Leipzig!

One of the most important entries on my Leipzig bucket list was the zoo. I have been watching so many documentaries about it on TV that it was crystal clear to me: This zoo is well worth a visit.

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A first for me – rock climbing in the Elbe Sandstone Highlands

A first for me – rock climbing in the Elbe Sandstone Highlands

Indoor bouldering is a great alternative for Berliners. Still, there is something about the idea to do “the real thing” in the outside world. We made rock climbing in the Elbe Sandstone Highlands our first outdoor climbing experience.

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bastion Saxon Switzerland

Visit to the bastion

In Saxon Switzerland on the banks of the Elbe, there is a bastion. Numerous tourists enjoy the wonderful view over the Elbe valley and the Elbe Sandstone Highlands from here.

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