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

Chemnitz Travel Guide: 128 reviews and 580 photos

The world-famous Karl Marx monument - Chemnitz

Home away from home

Chemnitz was my home for 9 years - I studied and worked there. It's a city of some 240,000 inhabitants located at the north rim of the Ore Mountains. Chemnitz belongs to the German bundesland (i.e. state) of Saxony - prepare for the most complicated dialect of German that you've ever heard! ;-)

The unknown future

Soon to come: The world's most colourful chimney!

Basically an industrial city, moulded by long times of machine and tool production and completely destroyed in the World War II, Chemnitz nowadays faces new tasks. With most of the factories gone, the city focuses on different things There's a university of roughly 10,000 students, a lively city centre that has changed its looks completely several times in the last ten years, pieces of art at every corner and much more. However, its industrial heritage is still visible in many places. One of them is the renowned Museum of Industry which is a must-see in Chemnitz.

What to do

Rabenstein Castle

Chemnitz is not the most beautiful place in the world, but it's well worth a visit. Unfortunately, the official city marketing tries to reinvent Chemnitz every second year instead of focusing on its tried and tested qualities. Where can you find the world's largest Karl Marx head? - In Chemnitz. Where can you see 290,000,000 year old trees? - In Chemnitz. Where can you visit Germany's biggest connected quarter of art nouveau and early 20th century houses? - In Chemnitz. Moreover, there are some interesting museums, some great cultural venues (such as the Weltecho cultural centre) and many other things to discover. Give Chemnitz a chance - you won't regret it!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots of things to discover if you give the city a chance
Cons:Ugly communist blocks almost everywhere
In a nutshell:A city in transition

Last visit to Chemnitz: Sep 2012
Intro Updated Oct 6, 2012
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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)

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Kathrin_E Oct 21, 2011 at 5:29 AM

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
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BruceDunning Jul 26, 2010 at 12:41 PM

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
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MikeBird Jan 27, 2009 at 11:28 AM

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
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alancollins Oct 2, 2008 at 2:00 AM

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

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.
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iandsmith Nov 21, 2007 at 12:27 PM

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

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
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Jefie Sep 17, 2007 at 8:01 AM

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
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IMthat1girl000 Jul 16, 2007 at 7:19 PM

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

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.