Welcome to the City of the Schwibbogen

Our lovely and very livable town is directly, on the border to the Czech Republic within the scenic landscape of the Western Ore Mountains (West Erzgebirge).  With elevations between 700 to 1000 meters (2,300 to 3,300 ft) the city, that was founded in 1654 by exile Bohemians after receiving the authorization from The Prince-Elector (Furst) Johann George 1 of Saxony, is the second highest city in Saxony.  Because of this ideal location you will find perfect winter sport conditions in our town.  For example, you can leave from our cross-country clubhouse (Loipenhaus) and ski on the Kammloipe Trail to Schöneck in Vogtland – a trip of about 35 kilometers.

There is also a lighted roller- and in-line skating track that can, also, be used in the winter for cross-country skiing, sledding hills, a double T-Bar lift, and a broad network of cross-country and hiking trails all of which offer the best conditions for wonderful outdoor experiences during your visit.

For those looking for fitness and recreational activities, our city offers an indoor swimming pool, an open-air natural swimming pool, the sport and event complex “Franz Mehring”, a bowling alley (9-Pin) and beautiful mountain-bike trails.

Century-old „Ore Mountain Traditions” are maintained with much love and care in our town.   In our Museum of Local History and Folklore you can observe bobbin lace-making, whittling (or hand-carving), leather glove- and shoemaking, as well as “schwibbogen-production” (Candle-Arch).  The Mountain Mining Museum and the actual mine, “Frisch Glück Glöckl” (open to visitors) bear witness to our centuries-old mountain mining history.

„The Town of the Schwibbogen” (Candle Arch) didn’t receive its nickname without reason.  Besides the world’s biggest open-air Schwibbogen – 15 meters tall and 25 meters wide – you can find in many parts of the city many other schwibbogens of various sizes that unites the spirit of the Ore Mountain Christmas Symbols with its miners.  There is also a 26-meter-tall giant pyramid with life-sized, hand-carved wood figures adds to the story of our city’s history.

On the following pages of our official website, you will find many facts and information of interest and use about the various parts of our city’s life and the city administration.  Our webcams give you various perspectives of the natural beauty along the “Kammloipe” and everything else you can experience in our surrounding nature.  Finally, you can inform yourself about the wide-range of events that take place in our city throughout the year.

I cordially invite you to visit our lovely mountain town.

See you soon!

(As we say in our region: Glück auf!)

André Oswald, Mayor

Johanngeorgenstadt in the Ore Mountains

Our mountain town, that was founded in 1654 with the authorization of the Saxony Prince, Johann George I is situated in the southern part of the region of Aue-Schwarzenberg on the Saxony-Bohemian (Czechia) border. Mining has shaped the face and atmosphere of the town for centuries.  Even today an interested visitor can find contemporary witnesses to those days of the so-called “Berggeschrey” (The Mountain Cry”) when the message of the discovery of silver spread fast which led to the region receiving the name, The Silver Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge).

An important fact in the historical traditions of Johanngeorgenstadt is that Johanngeorgenstadt is said to be the birth place of the original Erzgebirge metal candle arch (Schwibbogen) that is used as Christmas decoration. The oldest sample dates back to 1778 and was created by a local mountain blacksmith named Teller.

Located in the middle of the densely wooded Western Ore Mountains, the region surrounding the Auersberg with an elevation of 1,019 m (3,343ft) offers an ideal setting, both for friends of active holidays and for those seeking rest and relaxation. The Auersberg region is regarded as the largest forestial area of Saxony and offers more than 400 km (250 miles) of well-marked hiking and nature trails. One of the most popular is the border-crossing trails (into The Czech Republic) is "The Anton-Günther-Lehrpfad" (The Anton Günther Nature Trail) dedicated to Anton Günther the famous local poet who was known for using his regional dialect during his presentations.

Splendid views reach far into the Bohemian Ore Mountains, as well as forest-meadows full of blooming flowers and romantic valleys, entice one to undertake excursions to discover the town and the surrounding nature. The "Teufelssteine" (Devil's Rocks) as well as, the "Steinbachtal" (Stone Brook Valley) which is in the nature reserve area and, lying in the high-marsh, the "Kleiner Kranichsee" (Little Crane Lake) seems to have been created, especially, for lovers of nature.

Being located at altitudes between 700 and 1,000 m (2,297 and 3,280ft) above sea level, Johanngeorgenstadt is one of the winter sport resorts of German low mountain ranges with high snow reliability. Glistening snow crystals, snow-covered forests, picturesque views over the ridge of the Ore Mountains, impressions in white, that is what awaits the visitor. Numerous sport and cultural facilities offer a varied and mixed program to the guests of Johanngeorgenstadt.

Whether it’s a natural ice rink, a double ski tow lift or the well-prepared network of cross-country skiing trails around the so-called "Kammloipe", which runs from Schöneck via Mühlleithen, Carlsfeld and, finally, to Johanngeorgenstadt and gives access to more than 100 km (60 miles) of connecting trails, the winter sport enthusiast finds everything the heart desires. And when you wish to feel the wintery scenery with a touch of romance you can take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage through the magically snow-covered forests.

The three drink-water reservoirs:

  • Sosa at the foot of the Auersberg mountain
  • Eibenstock, the largest one of the three, covering 865 acres
  • Weiterswiese, Saxony's highest located reservoir near Carlsfeld

are all surrounded by meadows and forests and fit in harmoniously into the mountainous landscape and scenery. They are part of the region near Johanngeorgenstadt, a short ride with the car or a bicycle and are well worth a visit.

The well-frequented border crossing in the town’s district of Wittichsthal - which can be used and accessed by pedestrians, bicycle riders, train passengers, and - since 2007, by car - is the ideal starting point for excursions and day-trips into the neighboring Czech Republic. And within a short time, you can get, by train, to the Bohemian spa center of Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary).

Festivals are celebrated in the traditional Ore Mountain (Erzgebirge) style - long and a lot of fun. For example, every year on February 23rd when the City Founding-Day is commemorated. Or the Garden Festival and the Old Town Festival in Summer, and the so-called Schwibbogen Festival (Candle-Arch) on the 3rd Advent weekend.

Further tourist attractions and places of interest in Johanngeorgenstadt are…….

  • Open-air wood-carved pyramids, and candle arches (Schwibbogen) including the world’s biggest candle-arch – all in the center of town (Year-Round).
  • Hand carved oak figures which display the exil of the city founders from Bohemia to this region. (Also found in the center of town.)
  • Mine tour in the mine „Frisch Glück Glöckl“ with traditional Miner’s Christmas Meal“
  • A historical horse-powered capstan used in the mining days to raise the ore from the underground mine.
  • Auersberg Mountain with an observation tower on the summit
  • A Neogothic Church
  • Historical Saxonian Post Mileposts
  • Natural (open air) swimming pool „Am Schwefelbach”
  • Indoor swimming pool
  • Sport and Event Complex „Franz Mehring”
  • Climbing Center
  • Nature Trail „Steinbachtal“
  • Horse-riding and coach rides
  • Museum of Local History and Folklore
  • Roller-, inline- and ice-skating track
  • Bowling Alley (9 Pin)

Come and join our citizens enjoy the surrounding nature and celebrate throughout the year with them.  Not only will you not regret it – you’ll also never forget it.