116
Right Rock formations along the
Sächsische SilberstrasseWHERE TO STAY IN
ERZGEBIRGEBüttner inexpensive
A pocket of relaxed country charm on
the main square of Schneeberg, Büttner
has 12 rooms; all are enjoyably snug
and some feature old beams.
Markt 3, 08289 Schneeberg; 03772 35 30;
http://www.hotel-buettner.de
Silberhof moderate
Although dated in decor, the Silberhof
is comfortable and provides spacious
and bright accommodation.
Silberhofstrasse 1, 09599 Freiberg;
03731 268 80; http://www.silberhof.de
Wilder Mann moderate
Housed in a 16th-century building,
this smart, traditional hotel has rich
wood furnishings.
Markt 13, 09456 Annaberg-Buchholz;
03733 114 40; http://www.hotel-
wildermann.deVISITING ZWICKAUTourist Information
Hauptstrasse 6, 08056; 0375 271 32 40;
open Mon–Sat1 Zwickau
Saxony; 08056
Music and motor cars have made
Zwickau famous. In 1810, Romantic
composer Robert Schumann was born
in Hauptmarkt (closed Mon), in the old
town, a block across from the Dom St.
Marien. This church’s richly deco rated
Gothic altar was made by the tutor of
the Renaissance master-artist Albrecht
Dürer. In more recent history, Zwickau
was renowned for the cars producedBACK ROADS GERMANY
2 Erzgebirge
Saxony; 08289, 09456, 09427, 09573 & 09599
Rich deposits of silver, tin, copper, and cobalt earned the uplands along the
Czech border the name “Ore Mountains.” When these reserves waned, the
miners turned to folk crafts, so this route along the Sächsische Silberstrasse
(Saxon Silver Route) offers both historical romance and an opportunity to
buy beautiful handicrafts such as wooden toys and lace.1 Schneeberg
An enormous Markt boxed in by
Baroque town houses and signs
declaring Glück auf – the tradi tional
“good luck” salutation of miners – are
remind ers of the
wealthy past of this
silver-mining town.
Another testament
to Schneeberg’s
former status is
St. Wolfgangkirche
at the top of the
Markt, a late-Gothic
hall church whose
altar piece is by the
Renaissance artist
Lucas Cranach the
Elder (1472–1553).
The Museum für
bergmännische
Volkskunst (closed
Mon) beneath the2 Annaberg-Buchholz
One of the major attractions in this
hilltop town is the Frohnauer
Hammer (tours daily). Visitors will
probably hear this mechanical
marvel before seeing it. Inside a
shingle-roofed building, a 17th-
century con traption harnesses
energy from a stream to power three
hammers that weigh up to 551 lb
(250 kg) each. It is the last forge of its
kind in Europe and, until 1904 it
produced iron and copper pro ducts,by the Horch factory – Audis,
Daimlers and Trabants, the 500 cc
steel, and plastic workhorses of
Eastern Bloc trans port. Some of these
models are superbly displayed in the
August Horch Museum (closed Mon)
to the north of the center.
ª From the Zentrum parking lot, turn
right on to the B173/Dr-Friedrichs-Ring,
a one-way system. At the T-junction,
turn left toward Schneeberg on the
B93. Park on the Markt.church contains examples of the
miners’ folk crafts.
ª Retrace the route to B93, then take
the B169 to Aue. Take the B101 past
Schwarzenberg and Raschau to
Annaberg-Buchholz. Turn left on to
the Sehmatalstrasse at the sharp right
bend before the viaduct and park at
Frohnauer Hammer parking lot.Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150ChemnitzFreibergAueLichtensteinStollbergZschopauLimbach Flöha
Brand-
ErbisdorfKühnhaideScharfensteinWaldkirchenDreibachOberschönaClaussnitzGelenauEhrenfriedersdorfSchwarzenbergOederanHartensteinRaschauSchneeberg
Annaberg-
BuchholzGreifensteineSchloss
Augustusburg0 kilometers0 miles1515SHOPPING IN ERZGEBIRGETr y Zentrum Erzgebirgische
Volkskunst (Frauenmarkt 2, 08289
Schneeberg; 03772 289 45; http://www.bauer-
volkskunst.de) and Erzgebirgische
Volkskunst (Weingasse 6, 09599
Freiberg; 03731 21 29 02) for lace and
wooden decorations.