"Chemnitz - City of Modernism" Top 5 Page for this destination Chemnitz by german_eagle

Chemnitz Travel Guide: 125 reviews and 558 photos

City centre (Rosenhof, view with Hoher Turm)

City centre ("Nischel", left side Hotel Mercure)

With a pop. of about 250,000 Chemnitz is the third largest city in Saxony. It is located at the foot of the Erzgebirge mountains (elevation 309 m) at the confluence of several smaller rivers, surrounded by large forests.

In 1143 a Benedictine monastery was first mentioned here, located on a hill and founded by Emperor Lothar. A merchant's settlement developed below the monastery from 1165 on. The city became one of the most important industrial centres in Germany in the 19th/early 20th century - clothing, machine manufactures etc. It even got the inofficial name of "Saxon Manchester." After WWII the city centre was left in ruins. The communists decided to rebuild the centre very modern - meaning (mostly) pre-fabricated blocks, wide streets. The result is not particularly beautiful but after 1990 a lot was done (and built) to increase the attraction of the city centre.

From 1953 until 1990 the city was named "Karl-Marx-Stadt" an idea of the communist government in Berlin. Not that Marx had ever been there or that there was any other reference to Marx - but the communists wanted this to be a city of "proletarians". Most famous relic of that era is the "Nischel" - see picture and separate tip.

Stiftskirche Ebersdorf

While Chemnitz may never become a hot spot of internation tourism it is well worth a visit, especially if you're interested in *real* life in a German city and not just the picturesque towns that seem to be stuck in past centuries. Don't get me wrong - Chemnitz has lots of attractions, like outstanding museums, several churches worth to see, castles in the outskirts of town, and also a lively restaurant, cafe and club scene.

However, Chemnitz will be particularly rewarding for those seeking architecture of the 19th and early 20th century - residential and public buildings, but also fantastic industrial architecture.

Due to its previously mentioned location at the foot of the Erzgebirge mountains the possibilities for short excursions to the natural wonders as well as cute towns there are abundant, not to mention the parks and gardens within the city itself.

Intro Updated Nov 18, 2011
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Reviews (31)

market in front of the town hall - Chemnitz

(mostly) Food market Local Customs (1)

From Tuesday through Saturday there is a (mostly) food market on the square in front of the town hall. This is the... more travel advice

Chemnitzer Gewölbegänge (cellars) Off The Beaten Path (4)

When the technology of brewing beer changed (pureness law "Reihnheitsgebot" in Bavaria in 1516) it was necessary to have... more travel advice

Market hall Off The Beaten Path (4)

Right on the Chemnitz river, north of the old town, is the market hall located. It was built after plans of Eduard... more travel advice

Stadtbad Off The Beaten Path (4)

Another excellent example for the architecture of New Objectivity (Neue Sachlichkeit) is the municipal indoor swimming... more travel advice

Things to Do (16)
See All Schloss and Park Lichtenwalde
Favorites (2)
See All Green Chemnitz: Parks and Gardens

Restaurants (5)
See All Grütznickels Scheune
Transportation (3)
See All City bus

Travelogues (6)

1 - 4 of 6

Comments (5)

globetrott Mar 2, 2012 at 5:17 PM Report Abuse

An interesting page with a lot of great sights for my next time in Sachsen, thanks for sharing, Ingo !
bugulma Jan 9, 2012 at 2:00 AM Report Abuse

seems to be nice place. Schlosskirche is very impressive
HORSCHECK Dec 31, 2011 at 4:09 AM Report Abuse

Ingo, fabulous updates and new tips about Chemnitz, which I still haven't visited. I only remember a 3:0 victory of Borussia Mönchengladbach against Chemnitzer FC back in May 2001 when we promoted back to the 1. Bundesliga. - Happy new year 2012.
Nemorino Dec 30, 2011 at 9:17 AM Report Abuse

Happy New Year, Ingo! I enjoyed reading your Chemnitz tips/reviews. I have still never been to Chemnitz, but it’s on my list. I’m surprised they have a restaurant called Don, but of course I’ll have to go there sometime.
Kathrin_E Nov 7, 2011 at 10:49 AM Report Abuse

Can't wait...