"Chemnitz - a city in transition" Top 5 Page for this destination Chemnitz by King_Golo

Chemnitz Travel Guide: 125 reviews and 558 photos

The world-famous Karl Marx monument - Chemnitz

Home away from home

Chemnitz was my home for the last 9 years - I used to work there. It's a city of some 240,000 inhabitants located at the north rim of the German Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). Chemnitz belongs to the German bundesland (i.e. state) of Saxony - prepare for the most awful dialect of German that you've ever heard! ;-)
As I've come to like this place and am even adapting some features of the dialect, I've written my thesis about tourism brochures promoting Chemnitz. Furthermore, I was also responsible for international exchange during my work - and I hope I convinced quite some people to come to Chemnitz!

The unknown future

Chemnitz in autumn

Basically an industrial city, moulded by long times of machine and tool production, Chemnitz faces new tasks in these years. Today, most of the factories don't exist anymore and Chemnitz focuses on other things. There's a university of roughly 10,000 students, a lively city centre that has changed its looks completely in the last five years, pieces of art at every corner and much more.

What to do

Swan in Schlosspark

Chemnitz is not the most beautiful place in the world, but it's well worth a short visit.
Interesting sights: The giant Karl Marx head called Nischl, the Kassberg (a large area of late 19th century houses), Villa Esche (an art nouveau building), the Museum of Industry, the newly opened Museum Gunzenhauser, the Petrified Forest (290 million years old!!!), the newly built city centre with several good shopping opportunities, several nice parks, the vicinity (Chemnitz is often called "The gate to the Ore Mountains")... and a lot more! Best to come yourself and discover this place!

Pros and Cons

Pros:museums, cultural life, me ;)
Cons:ugly communist blocks almost everywhere
In a nutshell:A city in transition

Last visit to Chemnitz: Dec 2009
Intro Updated Jan 4, 2010
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Reviews (46)

Wasserschloss Klaffenbach Things to Do (20)

Easily one of the most beautiful sights of Chemnitz: Wasserschloss Klaffenbach. The castle was built in Renaissance... more travel advice

The majolica house in Barbarossastraße - Chemnitz

Kassberg Things to Do (20)

Kassberg is Chemnitz's most beautiful residential area. It is a hill of some square kilometers with approximately 600... more travel advice

The "Türmer" with his instrument (Türmertüte) - Chemnitz

The Watchman of Chemnitz Things to Do (20)

Chemnitz is home to a very rare species: The city still has a watchman! Watchmen were common in the Middle Ages and... more travel advice

Summer course participants in Diebels - Chemnitz

A nice place at river Chemnitz Nightlife (13)

Diebels is one of my favourite places for a drink and some food in Chemnitz. Located at the banks of river Chemnitz... more travel advice

Travelogues (3)

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Comments (24)

Kathrin_E Oct 21, 2011 at 5:29 AM Report Abuse

Hi Golo, "Konkurrenz" will ich selbstverständlich nicht machen;-) Ich war gerade mal zwei Tage in Chemnitz - hätte aber ohne Weiteres die doppelte Zeit gebrauchen können. Du siehst ja mit kundigem Blick, was auf meiner Seite alles fehlt, z.B. die Museen, das Innere von Rathaus und Kirchen. Next time! Ich finde solche Städte, nach deren Schätzen man ein bisschen suchen muss und in denen man Entwicklungen sieht, viel interessanter als hochglanzpolierte Touristenzentren. Übrigens war mir Deine Seite bei der Vorbereitung sehr hilfreich! Grüße, Kathrin
BruceDunning Jul 26, 2010 at 12:41 PM Report Abuse

I am planning a trip to Dresden and areas around there. If time permits, we may get to Chemnitz, however, also want to see all those castles in the valley nearby. You did a great job of describing this city and the the pictures wonderful
MikeBird Jan 27, 2009 at 11:28 AM Report Abuse

Did the Jesus statue ever return? I have really enjoyed reading about Chemnitz - you've made it sound erally appealing. I wonder if you could do the same for Milton Keynes in the UK? Mike
alancollins Oct 2, 2008 at 2:00 AM Report Abuse

Nice tips and photos. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to visit Chemnitz when I was in the area last year.
Pawtuxet Aug 30, 2008 at 6:44 AM Report Abuse

This is a wonderful presentation for your adopted city. Love the pics of the swan and the castle reflected in the lake. Good descriptions of bike and hiking trails ... art tours. Good job all the way around.
iandsmith Nov 21, 2007 at 12:27 PM Report Abuse

Nice useful tips, thanks for sharing.
budapest8 Oct 26, 2007 at 4:21 AM Report Abuse

Nice new pictures. Not the sort of place I would travel to as a destination, but definite one I would spend time in if passing through.Greetings from Hungary. Tim
Jefie Sep 17, 2007 at 8:01 AM Report Abuse

I just had to see a bit of Chemnitz after having talked about it so much over the weekend. I want my chocolate Karl Marx head!! :oD
IMthat1girl000 Jul 16, 2007 at 7:19 PM Report Abuse

Very beautiful home, good tips. I would love to go there.......sigh......so many places to go so little time! Best wishes to you!
diocletianvs May 20, 2007 at 2:02 PM Report Abuse

Old industry, "ugly" buildings and Marx heads - definitely a place for me ;) Plus, the Clubkino Siegmar sounds interesting too. Btw. you seem to be a great photographer.