Chemnitz

Chemnitz
A wonderful city featuring an exciting mix of past and present, Chemnitz is an important city of eastern Germany. Be it heritage, education, economy, science or culture; the city of Chemnitz stands proud as one of the most developed and inhabited cities of the country.

Indeed, it is hailed as the third-largest in the new Federal States with its population growing on a rapid pace.

The city of Chemnitz provides a delightful experience for everyone interested. It is ranked high as a tourist destination as visitors-friendly city. If you are wondering what is in Chemnitz that attracts some people to settle here while others find it a visitors-paradise then let us help you out with that. Here we list some of the many features and attractions of this beautiful city to make you familiar with the past and present of the city of Chemnitz.

Situated in the heart of Saxony, Chemnitz is a historic city with a long history comprising of over 800 years. Named after the Chemnitz River which is a small tributary of the Zwickauer Mulde, the city originally established as a settlement of the Sorbian Wends. It was first documented in 1143 when it became a market town.

From the 14th century onwards, the city started to strengthen its civic foundation. Cloth manufacturing was at peak in the 16th century while others industries also flourished in later years. However, most of the resources were looted during the Thirty Years' War and citys trade was destroyed as a result.

But the never-say-die spirit of the people of Chemnitz made the city stand on its own again in beginning of the 18th century.The real boom for Chemnitz came in the 19th and early 20th centuries when it became the hub of economic growth. Especially after 1834, when Saxony joined the German Zollverein, the town attracted a lot of traders.

The city operated under different names in all these years. Once renamed Karl-Marx-Stadt after the revolutionary philosopher Karl Marx in 1953, the city regained its river inspired name after the reunification of Germany in 1990. The reunification also made Chemnitz an independent city and seat of the government region Regierungsbezirk Chemnitz.

Hailed as History city of the Reunification in 2005 by the Channel GmbH Munich, Chemnitz is a perfect manifestation of Classical Modernism. It uniquely establishes its standard as the City of Modernity besides maintaining its old world grace and charm.

The city bridges the gap from yesterday to today and tomorrow and its wonderful architecture reflects that the most. The city houses many industrial centers, historic monuments and residential quarters that are redeveloped or modified to meet the present day needs.

The taste of Chemnitz architectural Modernism can be seen in Kassberg and the Schocken department store. The Villa Esche or the city centre is the lavish portrayal of citys growth. The Karl-Marx bust symbolizes his life and times. History can be relived in the Gothic church in the northwest of the town that dates back to 1514.

When it comes to Art, Chemnitz beats all other cities of the region. Its Gunzenhauser Museum houses one of the largest Dix collections in the world. Other such attractions include the New Saxon gallery and The Museum Of Natural History that also houses a 290-million-year-old Petrified Forest much to the amazement of everyone.

Chemnitz also stands tall in natural beauty. It lies among the major cities with the largest proportion of parks and green spaces, thus nature can be found everywhere in the city. The Erzgebirge catches most of the attention of nature lovers as this chain of mountains separates Saxony from Bohemia. Technology also flourishes in the city in the form of University of Technology Chemnitz that attracts more 10,000 students every year.

Whether you are a tourist or citizen, Chemnitz will make you fall in love with its cultural and leisure attractions. The Opera House at Theater Square is the center of such activities. Being one the most modern stages in Europe, it showcases great performances and productions all year long. The famous Robert-Schumann Philharmonic orchestra, the ballet and the puppet theatre is cultural spectacles.

Chemnitz celebrates life and culture with many annual and occasional events and world-class festivals. The Chemnitzer Begegnungen, the Saxon Mozart festival, Jewish culture days, museum night and memorial's open day attract a lot of visitors not only from the city itself but from all other places as well.

When it comes to sports, Chemnitz rules with its rich Olympic history. Besides this, one can find a huge variety of sports here like volleyball, football, angling, water polo and others.

In short, the charm and magic of the city of Chemnitz is not limited to just one attraction. The city invites you to explore its rich history and traditions and taste its glowing present. So visit Chemnitz and enjoy good times there!