10 reasons to visit the Erzgebirge

In the early 20th century, Saxony's narrow gauge railways promoted the region's economic development. Even though most of the network was abandoned long ago, nostalgic excursion trains still run on a few lines. The Fichtelberg Railway, for instance, takes passengers to Oberwiesenthal ski resort.

Oberwiesenthal lies at the foot of the Fichtelberg, at 1215 meters, the highest mountain in Saxony. The ski resort right at its doorstep offers 17 kilometers of slopes running 300 meters downhill.

The Erzgebirge is especially attractive to cross-country skiers. The Kammloipe, or ridge trail, leads from Johanngeorgenstadt to Schöneck in the Vogtland region. At 36 kilometers, it's one of the longest trails in Germany where snow is almost always guaranteed.

When silver was discovered nearby in the late 15th century, the heyday of Annaberg-Buchholz began. Nowadays the late Gothic architecture of St. Anne's Church and the market square with the town hall and magnificent town houses testify to that. There are also guided tours through the 500-year-old silver mine.

In Frohnau, a village in the municipality of Annaberg-Buchholz, visitors can see how iron was forged in the pre-industrial era. The Frohnauer Hammer is a historical water-driven hammer mill from the 15th century and a technology museum.

The miners' parades in the Erzgebirge also hark back to a medieval tradition. MIners and artisans connected to mining and smelting took part in them. Now the parades, like this one in Freiberg, preserve the tradition while serving as a tourist attraction.

Seiffen's origins lie in tin mining. After it declined in the 18th century, the miners turned to woodworking. The turned and carved wooden toys from Seiffen in particular became an export hit. Nutcrackers, pyramids and incense figurines typical of Christmas in Germany are still made here. Pictured is a special edition dedicated to Luther.

There's a lovely story about this castle, which was first mentioned in 1384. Long ago, when Frederick the Belligerent besieged the castle, the women inside asked him for safe conduct for themselves and the valuables they could carry. When, instead of jewels, the women carried out their husbands on their backs, their conqueror was so impressed that he let his adversary go.

Located on a medieval trade route, Zschopau is one of the better-known towns in the Erzgebirge region. In 1929, the DKW factory here was the world's largest motorcycle manufacturing facility. Renamed MZ in communist East German times, it continued to produce sporty motorbikes. The now legendary trademark MZ is short for Zschopau Motorcycle Factory.

Bikers against a Renaissance backdrop: since 1971 motorcyclists have held their traditional winter convention at the Elector Augustus's 16th century hunting lodge. And for those who shy away from the winter weather, it's well worth a visit anyway. The castle houses one of Europe's most important motobike collections.