Who knew: Saxony’s third-largest city Chemnitz, known as the “Saxon Manchester”, was the main driver of the Industrial Revolution in Germany and, for a time, became the country’s richest city. Today, Chemnitz is all set to show the world why it has won the title European Capital of Culture 2025, jointly with 38 municipalities of the “Chemnitz.Zwickau.Region” and the nearby Ore Mountains. Find out what makes Chemnitz and the cultural region tick and be surprised by inspiring events and attractions. Explore our selection of highlights including art exhibtions, festivals, concerts and sport events.
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
More Things to Do This Summer
The “Sun Seekers!” exhibition (10 April to 10 Aug 2025) in Zwickau explores the art collection amassed by SDAG Wismut, a uranium mining company during the time of the Cold War. Featuring over 4,000 works by 450 artists, it offers insights into East Germany’s art scene and the transformations following reunification.
Chemnitz’ Museum Gunzenhauser showcases “European Realities” (27 April to 10 Aug 2025) in an exhibition exploring realist movements that came to the fore in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. It features works from Italy, France, Germany, and beyond highlighting economic, cultural, and social shifts across Europe.
Saxony’s Most Beautiful and Artistic Hiking Trail – the Painter’s Way
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
Hiking in Saxony
On Saxony’s most beautiful hiking trails, you will discover palaces and castles, vineyards, wide meadows and dense forests, cultural treasures of rare value along the way and fantastic views. The region’s network of trails is well developed and you’ll be welcomed by friendly hosts everywhere. Sometimes a hike can be deeply moving when the scenery inexplicably and incomprehensively touches us. In such a moment a hiking tour turns into an experience with a long-lasting effect.
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
More Ways to Enjoy Nature
The Malerweg, Painter’s Way, hiking trail is a likely prospect for such an experience. On this trail you walk in the footsteps of artists we today count among the inventors of Romanticism. They returned again and again as they had discovered something here that was and is nowhere else to be found in Europe. Actually, the Malerweg Trail in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains could just as well be named “Photographers’ Trail” in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. It is a land of plenty for photographers as they find such an incredible variety of fabulous motifs in quick succession. Summits rising above a sea of mist, crippled pines at cliff sides, rivulets in wildly romantic gorges: what fascinates painters is attractive to photographers as well.
No other route through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains offers such a wide range of sights; this is what makes it so unique. The hiking trail near Dresden stretches over 116 kilometers from its starting point in the village of Liebethal through the wild rock formations of Saxon Switzerland National Park to the Bohemian border. Returning on the left side of the Elbe River, it meanders through the realm of the table mountains to its final point in the heart of the small town of Pirna. Narrow gorges and endless expanses, enchanted valleys and sunny heights, dreamy villages and lively tourist towns: all this is what the trail offers to those who venture on it.
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
Enjoying the Cradle of Saxony
Dresden’s Surrounding Elbland Packs More in One Day Than Anywhere
Dresden Elbland, the region around Saxony’s capital also known as “the cradle of Saxony“, is full of cultural and natural delights. Dresden and nearby Meissen, both steeped in history, or the stunning Renaissance town of Torgau and charming Radebeul on the Saxon Wine Route.
Picturesque vineyards and romantic river sceneries characterise the landscape, which is much loved by walkers and cyclists alike. For us, Dresden Elbland combines nature, art, and culture in the most beautiful way.
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
Reasons to Visit Saxony
When it comes to packing in as many sights as possible in one place, Dresden is not doing bad at all. In the city’s old town, you’ll find, among many others, the breath-taking baroque Zwinger palace, the Semper Opera House and Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). Close by are more treasures to discover.
Meissen, birthplace of the world-famous porcelain, welcomes visitors with a splendid view of its cathedral and Albrechtsburg Castle perching on a hill above the Elbe River. In the workshops of the Meissen porcelain factory, you can peek behind the scenes and see masters of this craft creating the most delicate objects.
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
Renaissance Towns, Wine & More to Explore
Torgau is one of Germany‘s most beautiful Renaissance towns where you can follow in the footsteps of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora.
Wine lover? Us too. And we have very good news: There’s a special wine hiking option along the Saxon Wine Route and we recommend stopping here and there to sample the local produce.
One of the best ways to explore Dresden Elbland is on the Elbe Cycle Route, an absolute favourite among Germany’s cycling routes.
The Altkötzschenbroda village green in Radebeul is an architectural gem with lovingly restored half-timbered buildings. Explore artists’ studios, galleries, restaurants, cafés and small shops – and don’t forget to sample a glass of the local wine!
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
Castling in Saxony
Castling in Saxony – Castle Colditz Stands Out Once Again!
1,000 palaces, castles, fortresses, parks and gardens – Saxony provides rich grounds for lovers of magnificent architecture and beautiful landscaping. Visitors will find a wide range of styles in delightful locations, be it Medieval, Baroque or Renaissance structures, and many of them are related to the region’s most famous ruler, Augustus the Strong, who liked his residences to make an impression.
Many Saxon palaces and castles house museums and exhibitions full of cultural treasures, some also restaurants, cafes and accommodation. Often the historic walls and parks also serve as enchanting venues for concerts, theatre plays, Medieval festivals, romantic weddings, corporate events or even Christmas markets. Take a look at our top picks and start planning your castle road trip!
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
Historical Castle Intrigue
Going back almost 1,000 years, Colditz Castle is one of Saxony’s oldest and largest castles. With its striking white gables, Colditz Castle is one of the most beautiful Central German architectural monuments of the 16th century. It served as an important POW-camp for high-ranking officers of the Western Allies during World War II; Winston Churchill’s nephew and the nephew of the then British King George VI were also among its prisoners.
Secret radio rooms, tunnels broken through the masonry and a secretly built glider are examples of the many tales told of the numerous creative escape attempts in the »Escape Museum«. The book entitled »The Colditz Story« and its film adaptation have made Colditz world famous. However, the castle on the Mulde river south of Leipzig was already an imperial seat under Emperor Barbarossa and has a colorful history to be explored by curious visitors. Today it also houses a popular youth hostel.
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
Leipzig Music Festival in June: Bach in Transformation!
Leipzig is deeply connected to Johann Sebastian Bach, who served as Thomaskantor from 1723. This year, Leipzig will have a multitude of Bach events celebrating the 275th anniversary of Bach’s death, 75 years of the Bach Archive and 40 years of the Bach Museum.
The annual Leipzig Bach Festival, from 12 to 22 June, will explore the theme of “Transformation,” showcasing how Bach integrated European influences into his works. Performances will feature renowned artists, including the Thomanerchor and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
More Bach Celebrations
The Bach Archive, a global research center, will present a special exhibition on Bach studies. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the research department will also step beyond its traditional space, bringing Bach-related experiences to various locations across Leipzig. Leipzig’s historic Auerbachs Celler celebrated its 500th anniversary with “Bach’s Faust,” a musical adaptation of Goethe’s play.
For Bach enthusiasts, Leipzig offers guided city tours, boat trips and the Leipzig Music Trail. Special travel packages include concert tickets and immersive experiences, making Leipzig a must-visit for classical music lovers.
This article originally appeared on VisitSaxony.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: Wolfgang Gaertner.
